As one of China's most diversified provinces, Yunnan is certainly one of China's most alluring destinations. Yunnan is home to more than one third of China's ethnic minorities and over half of the country's plant and animal species. The province is blessed by its mixture of traditional folk cultures as well as breath-taking scenery. Kunming, Yunnan's capital, resides at an elevation of 1890m and boasts a milder climate than most other Chinese cities. Celebrated as the "Spring City," Kunming has neither severe winters nor extremely hot summers and can be visited at any time of the year.

Numerous areas of Yunnan exhibit strong local identities and have successfuly resisted Chinese influence. Ethnic minority culture has survived and thrived despite the government's best efforts to encourage the relocation of Han Chinese into predominately ethnic regions. Thus, Kunming has developed a distinctive multi-cultural feeling that seems a world apart from other major Chinese cities.

Geography

Kunming is the capital city of Yunnan province in the southwest of China. It is located in the center of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, covering 21,473 square kilometers. Kunming has a population of over 7 million people and its jurisdiction extends over 6 districts, 7 counties and one city.

Kunming is situated on the north shore of Lake Dianchi, one of the largest freshwater lakes in China which is dubbed "Plateau Pearl". The downtown is surrounded by mountains on three sides and is 1,891 metres above sea level.

Kunming is China's gateway to South and Southeast Asia, and is also a world famous tourist destination commonly known as the City of Eternal Spring because of its climate.

Climate

Located in the middle of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau at an altitude of 1,900 metres above sea level, Kunming has a mild subtropical highland climate ideal for growing a variety of plants and flowers. Blossoms and lush vegetation abound year round, and for this reason it has come to be known as China's "City of Eternal Spring".

Scenic Spots

Yunnan Nationalities Village

This Village, opened in 1992, extends over 133 hectares, is located on the north eastern shore of Lake Dianchi and to showcase the culture of the 25 ethnic groups in Yunnan each of whom has a population of over 5,000. Each of these groups build a village on this site unique to their culture to acquaint visitors with their distinctive architecture, religion, language, dance, music, lifestyle, clothing and of course food and eventually these will merge to become an immense garden in South Chinese horticultural and landscaping traditions. Welcoming ceremonies include performing white elephants, traditional dance and music by young people from the various groups who act as performers and guides. The facilities include auditoriums, tour carts and all essential infrastructures.

Jiaozi Snow Mountain Scenic Area

About 150 Km away from Kunming, Jiaozi Mt at 4233 meters is the highest mountain in Central Yunnan. The mountain resembles a traditional Chinese Sedan (Jiao Zi) in shape, hence its name. Located in the Jiaozi Mt Scenic Area which includes Qiwang Mt, Dongying, Mt Guanyin Mt within an area of 250 sq km which includes forests, glaciers and glacial lakes and alpine meadows in which rhododendrons and azaleas abound.


Red Land

It is recognized as the most imposing red land after that of Rio de Janeiro's. But the landscape is much influential than the Rio’s. From September to December of each year, the natural color of the crops planted on the red soil appears as a really colorful picture.

The Changhu Lake

About 30 km to the southeast of the Stone Forest, the Changhu Lake is 3 km long and 300 metres wide, looking like a crescent thus the name. The lake with four isles in its centre is nestled among exuberant forests so is also called the Hidden Lake.

Dadieshui Waterfall

Also named Feilong (Flying Dragon) Waterfall, the Dadieshui Waterfall is 30 metres wide, with a fall of nearly 100 metres. It is the biggest waterfall in Yunnan, and given its location and surroundings is a really impressive spectacle in bright sunshine. The Dadieshui Waterfall is the major scenic attractions near the Stone Forest.

Kunming Botanical Garden

Covering a total area of 40 hectares, the garden was first built in 1938 for the purpose of cultivating rare and precious flowers, medicinal herbs, arbor trees and some endangered floral species etc. It has collected some 4,000 species of plants and established 10 excellent theme gardens worth visiting and experimental districts.

Haidong Wetland

Haidong Wetland locates on the east of East Lake Rd. and the north of Dianchi Lake with the scale of 892 acres. It is one of Dianchi ecological parks. There are various species of aquatic and terrestrial plants all over the park.

UNESCO Site the Stone Forest

Situated in Shilin Yi Autonomous County 80 km from Kunming, is a set of limestone formations in the manner of stalagmites many of which resemble petrified trees creating the very real illusion of a forest made of stone. This “forest” is the result of the dissolution of limestone by wind and rain which commenced in the Permian Period (about 270 million years ago) and is ongoing. The forest covers an area of 350 sq km and consists of 7 main divisions including caves, lakes and waterfalls. Two parts of the site, the Naigu stone forest and Suogeyi Village have been declared World Heritage Sites as part of the South China Karst.

Dianchi Lake

Dianchi Lake (Chinese: 滇池, Diānchí), also known as Lake Dian and Kunming Lake (昆明湖, Kūnmínghú), is a large lake located on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau close to Kunming, Yunnan, in southern China. Its nickname is the "Sparkling Pearl Embedded in a Highland"[citation needed] and it was the model for the Kunming Lake in the Summer Palace in Beijing. Its name is the source of Yunnan's Chinese abbreviation 滇.

It is a freshwater fault lake at 1,886.5 m (6,189 ft) above sea level. The lake covers 298 km2(115 sq mi). It is 39 km (24 mi) long from north to south, and the average depth is 4.4 m (14 ft). It is the eighth largest lake in China and the largest in Yunnan Province.

Jiuxiang Scenic Area(http://www.chinatourguide.com/kunming/jiuxiang_scenic_area.html)

Jiuxiang is one of the most beautiful scenic spots near Kunming and is home to striking natural landscapes, magnificent underground scenery, and enchanting ethnic folk customs. It is inhabited mainly by the Yi and Hui nationalities, and is situated in northeastern part of Yiliang County, 90 kilometers (55 miles) from downtown Kunming and 22 kilometers (14 miles) north of the Stone Forest.

Jiuxiang is praised as the "Home of Karst caves". Altogether, there are "only" 100 caves in the area, the local saying goes, "If one spent his entire life counting the caves in Jiuxiang he may not finish the job". Among the caves are numerous natural bridges, valleys, rivers and waterfalls, making up an almost fantasy like subterranean world.

What to Eat?

Kunming's picturesque natural scenery enhances delicious local foods. Kunming dishes are representative of Yunnan cuisine, which combines cooking styles of other cities and nationalities outside Kunming. The most fabulous of all Yunnan food is Yunnan rice noodles (Guoqiao mixian, literally "Crossing the bridge rice noodles"). With its high humidity and mild temperatures Kunming provides abundant fruits and vegetables all year for local cuisine. In addition, there are numerous snack options in high streets and back lanes. You can find good places and restaurants to eat in Kunming during your tour.

Steaming-Pot Chicken (Qiguo Ji汽锅鸡)

This dish gained its name from steaming the chicken in a pot with a hollow tube in the center. It is a simple tasty dish. To make it, place chicken, ginger, a shallot, pepper and salt in the pot and steam for about four hours, during which time steam from the tube contacts the cold pot cover turning to water, then flows back into the pot to become delicious chicken soup. Before serving, remove ginger and shallot.

Hongshao Jizong (红烧鸡枞)

Kunming is host to various wild mushrooms including Jizong. Whenever the sun shines after a rain from June to September, many Jizong shaped like small grey umbrellas appear on the mountain. The chicken-like taste of Jizong is popular with gourmands.

Xuanwei Ham (宣威火腿)

Xuanwei Ham (Xuanwei Huotui), also called 'Yuntui' or 'Yunnan Ham’, is one of the three famous and best hams in China. The main ingredient in many local dishes, Yunnan Ham retains its unique flavor and can be stored for long periods of time. Offered in most local restaurants, ham preparation includes baking, salting, pestle, warming, and freezing.

Across Bridge Rice Noodle (过桥米线)

Across Bridge Rice Noodle (Yunnan Guoqiao Mixian) is one of the featured specialties of Kunming and Yunnan. It has three main parts: a bowl of extremely hot chicken broth, various slices of meat, including chicken, fish, and meat up to nine varieties, with various seasonings and rice noodles.