Tour Kunming

Kunming
As the capital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, also known as the "City of Eternal Spring", for a temperateclimate and flowers blooming all year round,with its unique history, itsmany attractions, and its overall atmosphere.In addition,the clash of cultures playing out on the city’s streets is impressive even for Yunnan, which is home to about half of China’s minorities. The city covers an area of 6200 sq. km (3844 sq. km) including 4 city districts and 4 rural counties. It is one of the major tourist city attracting more than 2 million visitors annually with 800 thousand more coming from abroad. The city was founded over 2,000 years ago, but it did not gain prominence until it became the eastern capital of the Nanzhao Kingdom in the 8th century.By the time the Mongols swept through in 1274, Kunming, or Yachi as it was then known, was enough of a flourishing town to have attracted the attention of Marco Polo, who described it as a "very great and noble" capital city. Today, Kunming's wide streets, towering office blocks, and giant shopping centers all convey the impression of a modern,21st-century city.A subtropical location and high elevation (1,864m/6,213 ft.) give Kunming a temperate climate year-round. Its days are filled with sunshine, making almost any time good for a visit, though the balmy months of September and October are especially fine. From the people, to the sights, to the cuisine, Kunming is a mustsee, especially in the south of China. It is also an excellent gateway to Vietnam, Loas, Burma, and the rest of Southeast Asia.

The Stone Forest
The Stone Forest,one of the first state-level key scenic spots approved by the State Council in 1982,is considered as one of the best places in the world to see what is known as karst formations. It is the world's most typical Coste landscape with 350 square kilometers, and it has been called the "natural museum landscape modeling,"It is one of the four natural landscapes in China. There are several sections of the karst topography that you can see, including the large and small stone forest and the Nai3gu3 stone forest, about 8 km away. The whole area covers approximately 400 square kilometers (or 96,000 acres). You can walk through the pathways left between the tall pillars, and spend a whole day simply exploring different paths in this labyrinth of limestone. This area is mainly inhabited by the Yi2 and Sani ethnic groups. Many beautiful legends originate in this magical place, passed along by the native people.The beautiful legend,mentioned in today’s dialogue, tells of the undying love of Ashima, a Sani girl. The Sani people celebrate their national festival - the Torch Festival - every lunar year on June 24.During this time,the warmly jubilant sani song and dance, the union of the natural landscape and Stone Forest human landscape are intoxicated, and difficult to forget.The Stone Forest is alive with a particularly joyful, festive atmosphere, making the area even more attractive than usual.This is perhaps the best time to visit the Stone Forest.

Dianchi Lake
Located in the southwest of Kunming, Yunnan province, the Dianchi Lake is the center of key point of interests in Kunming. Tourists can not only drive boat to experience the beautiful scenery of lake and mountains but also can walk along the lakeside to visit the hometown of Zhenghe, Guanyin Temple and more key point of interests. In 1988, the Dianchi Scenic Spot was approved as one of the national scenic spots by the State Council. Covering an area of 330 square kilometers, the Dianchi Lake is the largest lake in Yunnan province and the sixth largest freshwater lake in China. It is shape in crescent and extends 39 kilometers from north to south and around 13 kilometers from west to east at an altitude of 1886 meters above sea level, which is a brilliant pearl inlaid in plateau. Surrounded by mountains, the scenery of Dianchi Lake is captivating with beautiful lake and mountains bring out the best of each other. Its glamour also lies in the ever changing scenery in a day with the change of sunlight and clouds. There are numerous attractions around the Dianchi Lake, including the picturesque Guanyinshan Scenic Spot which is interspersed with fishing villages and boats, beautiful Daguanlou Park, fascinating Yunnan Village and more. You may appreciate the beauty of the lake and hills from a boat, and explore this cradle of Yunnan culture.

The Grand View Tower
Grand-view Park, a beautiful lake-side park that was completed in 1690 during the Qing Dynasty, known for its longest antithetical couplet in China. When it comes to the long couplet, it is considered as “the No.1 couplet throughout the world”—“Wave of the Dianchi Lake of 500li are surging swiftly towards my eyes. With my gown unbuttoned and my headdress pushed up, I delight in so greatly and enjoy so heartily the vast expanse of the boundless waters and blue waves! Just look! In the east is the Golden Horse Mountain galloping like a steed; in the west is the Green Peacock Mountain fluttering like a phoenix; in the north is the Serpent Mountain writhing and wriggling like a fairy snake; in the south is the Curare Mountain soaring like a white crane…”It’s a very long couplet, that above are just a small part of it, you can come to visit and read it by yourself. In the part, there is a tower called the Grand View Tower, located at the terminus of Daguan Road and is 6 km from the city center, near Dianchi Lake and facing Taihua Mountain which is on the other side of Dianchi Lake. Completed in 1690 during the Qing Dynasty, the park consists of hills, ponds, pavilions and rockeries in a style similar to that of the gardens of the Yangtze River Delta, so amazing and splendid.

The Dragon Gate on West Hill
Located approximately 15 kilometers from Kunming, the Western Hill spread out across a long wedge of parkland on the western side of Lake Dianchi. The hills' undulating outline is thought to resemble a reclining woman with tresses of hair flowing into the sea. Therefore, they are also known as the "Sleeping Beauty Hill". A cable car is available for tourists, which can carry them to the summit. On the top of the hill lies Sanqing Temple and it was once a temple dedicated to the three main Taoist deities. Thirteen ancient wooden structures built on the precipitous cliff are very impressive. There is a saying - 'If you do not visit Western Hills, you haven't visited Kunming; if you do not come to Dragon Gate, you haven't been to Western Hills.' Being the outstanding scenic place in Western Hills, Dragon Gate is a big exquisite stone carved edifice. The stone paths, stone rooms, stone grottos, and stone Buddhist figures are all carved with excellent craftsmanship on a large natural rock. Like Sanqing Pavilion, Dragon Gate was also built on cliff. You can stand on the edge of the cliff holding the railing, looking downward to experience the steepness of the hill and enjoy the spectacle of Dianchi Lake.

Yunnan Minority Village
Located near the Dianchi Lake and covers an area of about 133.3 hectares, Yunan Minority Village is the window that displaying minority customs and cultures to the world. The admirable climate, beautiful natural sceneries combine with strong minority feelings, an ideal place to visit. The village acts as a good shortcut to understand the social customs of the ethnic groups in Yunnan. It has a natural sun-bathing area where you can escape from the heat of summer.You can enjoy the water screen movie and an elephant performance, have a taste of the local dishes and buy pretty handicrafts. There are 26 different minorities in Yunnan province.Each of them has their own unique culture.If you just a short visit Yunnan for several days,how to see them all?The Yunnan Minority Village provides the place to make it possible!In that “Village”,land was divided into many different areas,each area is a minority village.It’s just like, the land is a house, each area is each room in the house. You will feel like you are in a jungle and everywhere sent forth the smell of wildness.But don’t be scared,actually all facilities are available there,it is a very beautiful place that will make you come back I promise.