Explore Kunming: Top Attractions and Culinary Delights in the Spring City
Kunming, the capital of Yunnan Province, boasts a rich history and vibrant culture, with numerous must-visit spots. Here’s a Kunming travel guide—let’s dive in!
Introduction and Why Visit
Kunming’s standout feature is its pleasant climate, with spring-like weather year-round, earning it the nickname “Spring City.” It offers stunning natural scenery, rich historical and cultural relics, and diverse ethnic charm.
How to Get to Kunming
- By Air: Kunming Changshui International Airport, located far from the city center, is accessible via Metro Line 6 with transfers to other lines.
- By High-Speed Rail: Kunming South Station, connected to the city center via Metro Line 1.
- By Train: Kunming Station, accessible via Metro Line 3 to the city center.
City Transportation
Kunming’s intra-city transportation is convenient, with options including metro, buses, taxis, and shared bicycles.
Must-Visit Attractions
滇池 Dianchi Lake
Dianchi Lake is Kunming’s largest plateau lake, offering picturesque lake and mountain views. Take the cable car to Xishan Longmen Scenic Area for a stunning overlook of Dianchi’s beauty.
- Ticket: Free
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Transportation: Metro Lines 3/5, Bus 100 to Haigeng Dam
海埂大坝 Haigeng Dam
Located on the eastern shore of Dianchi Lake, Haigeng Dam is ideal for enjoying lake views and feeding seagulls. Take the metro to Fubao Station, then walk or bike to the dam.
- Ticket: Free
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Transportation: Metro Line 5, Bus to Huanggong East Street
黄公东街 Huanggong East Street
Huanggong East Street is a charming, artsy alley with yellow walls and green windows, perfect for photos. Take the metro to Cuihu Park Station and walk to the street.
- Ticket: Free
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Transportation: Metro Lines 3/5 to Jiaochang Middle Road Jacaranda Avenue
教场中路蓝花楹大道 Jiaochang Middle Road Jacaranda Avenue
Jiaochang Middle Road Jacaranda Avenue is one of Kunming’s most beautiful streets. In April, the street is covered with blooming purple jacaranda flowers, ideal for photography.
- Ticket: Free
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Transportation: Metro Lines 2/4
斗南花市 Dounan Flower Market
Dounan Flower Market is Asia’s largest fresh flower trading market, offering a dazzling variety of affordable flowers. Take the metro to Jingui Street Station to reach it.
- Ticket: Free
- Opening Hours: 24 hours
- Transportation: Metro Line 4
Must-Try Foods
Kunming’s cuisine is diverse and delicious. Here are some must-try food recommendations, including wild mushroom hotpot and Pu’er dishes—let’s explore!
野生菌火锅 Wild Mushroom Hotpot
山菌王（宝海店） Shan Jun Wang (Baohai Branch)
This restaurant is famous for its wild mushroom hotpot, featuring a rich variety of mushrooms like matsutake, yellow bolete, and white bolete. Cooking time must be carefully controlled, and the staff will help with timing.
- Average Cost: 91 RMB per person
- Address: No. 20 Xiaodong Street, Nanping Street
- Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 AM–2:00 AM
- Recommended Dishes: Wild Mushroom Hotpot, Stir-fried Qingtou Mushroom, Bolete Fried Rice
菌夏·野生菌火锅（南屏街·百大新天地店） Jun Xia Wild Mushroom Hotpot (Nanping Street Kuncheng Xintiandi Branch)
The chicken is free-range, offering a rich texture and large portions. It’s healthy, nutritious, and so delicious you can’t stop eating!
- Average Cost: 89 RMB per person
- Address: No. 08-01, 6th Floor, Kuncheng Xintiandi, No. 2 Dongfeng West Road
- Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:30 AM–10:00 PM
- Recommended Dishes: Wild Mushroom Platter, Bolete Fried Rice, Free-Range Chicken
普洱菜 Pu’er Dishes
从水炉（南强街店） Cong Shuilu (Nanqiang Street Branch)
This restaurant serves authentic Pu’er cuisine. The tomato stir-fried water fern is tangy and delicious. Pu’er tea-fried ribs have the aroma of tea leaves and mint. Wild herb stir-fried beef is perfect with rice, with tender meat and great texture.
- Average Cost: Around 70 RMB per person
- Opening Hours: Reservations start at 4:30 PM via the “Delicious Don’t Wait” app, with seating from 5:30 PM.
- Recommended Dishes: Tomato Stir-fried Water Fern, Pu’er Tea-fried Ribs, Wild Herb Stir-fried Beef, Scallion Potato Slices, Pickled Vegetable Egg Rice
过桥米线 Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles
建新园（昆明老街店） Jian Xin Yuan (Kunming Old Street Branch)
This restaurant’s cross-bridge rice noodles have a fresh, flavorful broth and smooth noodles, priced affordably at 28 RMB per serving.
- Address: Kunming Old Street
- Recommended Dishes: Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles
上坐传统过桥米线（滇池华府俊园店） Shang Zuo Traditional Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles (Dianchi Huafu Junyuan Branch)
This version includes shrimp, squid, and other seafood, making the broth extra fresh. The crispy baba is highly recommended, with a soft, crispy crust and a sweet rose-flavored ham filling.
- Address: Dianchi Huafu Junyuan
- Recommended Dishes: Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles, Crispy Baba
桥香园 Qiao Xiang Yuan
This restaurant offers a standard version, with notably tender fresh meat and the option to add fresh flowers to the broth.
- Recommended Dishes: Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles
汽锅鸡 Steam Pot Chicken
福照楼 Fu Zhao Lou
A century-old Kunming restaurant, Fu Zhao Lou’s steam pot chicken uses no added water. Steam from the base pot forms droplets that flow into the pot through a central hole.
- Average Cost: 493 RMB per person
鲜花饼 Flower Cakes
花满楼 Hua Man Lou
The sweetness is just right, with a strong aroma. The crust has a buttery fragrance, and the filling is chewy with prominent rose petals.
- Price: 5.5 RMB per piece
- Recommended Dishes: Flower Cakes
潘祥记 Pan Xiang Ji
Moderately sweet with a mild rose flavor, these are standard. The crust is crispy, with less filling, feeling a bit dry. The crust is thin, crispy, loose, and soft.
- Price: 4 RMB per piece
- Recommended Dishes: Flower Cakes
嘉华 Jia Hua
Generous filling and thick crust, resembling egg yolk pastries. The filling is sweet, and fresh cakes are tastier when warm, though the rose flavor is subtle.
- Price: 5.5 RMB per piece
- Recommended Dishes: Black Gold Flower Cakes
Travel Tips
- Wild Mushrooms: Eating wild mushrooms carries risks. If unfamiliar with cooking them, avoid buying fresh mushrooms and opt for reputable restaurants. Ensure mushrooms are thoroughly cooked and be patient.
- Flower Cakes: Buy flower cakes in the city, not at the airport after security, as prices are higher and flavors can’t be mixed—you’ll need to buy a whole box for one flavor.
