Save on air conditioning fees! Spend your summer vacation in Kunming!

Kunming is known as the "Spring City" with a pleasant climate and spring-like weather all year round, offering both natural scenery and cultural heritage. Here are 6 must-visit attractions and practical tips to help you explore Kunming: 1. Dianchi Lake & Western Hills Forest Park - Why visit: Yunnan's largest freshwater lake, flocks of red-billed gulls in winter, and the stunning "Sleeping Beauty" scenery of Western Hills. - Suggested activities: - Feed the gulls at Haigeng Dam (November to March, bread 10 RMB/bag) - Take the cable car up Western Hills (overlooking Dianchi Lake from Longmen Grottoes). - Tickets: Dianchi Lake is free; Western Hills Park + cable car about 100 RMB. - Tips: Hiking in Western Hills can be tiring, wear comfortable shoes; strong UV rays by Dianchi Lake, remember sun protection. 2. Stone Forest Scenic Area - Why visit: A UNESCO World Natural Heritage site, a karst landscape wonder, and the hometown of Ashima. - Highlights: - Great Stone Forest (sword-shaped peaks, take photos with the "Stone Forest" sign) - Small Stone Forest (Ashima statue) → Naigu Stone Forest (less crowded and more pristine). - Tickets: 130 RMB (includes electric shuttle). - Transport: Take a bus from Kunming East Bus Station (about 1.5 hours) or charter a car (round trip about 300 RMB). - Tips: The area is large, it’s recommended to join a guide to hear Yi ethnic legends; wear bright clothes for better photos. 3. Yunnan Nationalities Village - Why visit: One-stop experience of 25 ethnic minority cultures in Yunnan, with spectacular song and dance performances. - Must-see shows: - Call of the Plateau (14:00, included in ticket) - Scheduled village performances (e.g., Dai Peacock Dance, Yi ethnic vegetable dance). - Tickets: 90 RMB (half price for students). - Tips: Enter in the afternoon to catch the Torch Festival night show (summer); rent ethnic costumes for photos inside the village for 30 RMB/set. 4. Green Lake Park & Army Lecture Hall - Why visit: Kunming’s "urban green heart," with winter gulls and summer lotus flowers, adjacent to a historic school. - Nearby activities: - Stroll around Green Lake (free) → Army Lecture Hall (former site of a modern Chinese military academy, free) - Have coffee in Culture Alley (a hub for artsy youth). - Best seasons: December to February (gulls), June to August (lotus flowers). - Tips: Army Lecture Hall closed on Mondays; try the "Wenshan Breakfast" rice noodles near the park. 5. Guandu Ancient Town - Why visit: A thousand-year-old town, a hotspot for Kunming cuisine, and a living display of intangible cultural heritage. - Must-try foods: - Guandu Baba (classic sesame flavor, 3 RMB each) - Small pot rice noodles, pea starch noodles. - Free attractions: Miaozhan Temple Vajra Pagoda, Intangible Cultural Heritage Museum. - Tips: More lively in the evening, avoid peak tourist groups; only 1 km from Yunnan Provincial Museum (can visit on the way). 6. Dongchuan Red Land - Why visit: A palette spilled by God, a paradise for photography lovers. - Best photo spots: - Luoxia Valley (sunrise), Jinxiu Garden (colorful terraced fields) - September to November (autumn harvest with red and yellow hues) or May to June (green wheat waves). - Transport: From Kunming North Bus Station to Dongchuan (3 hours), then charter a car for touring (about 200 RMB/day). - Tips: Stay at a farmhouse for convenient early morning and evening light shots; cloudy days greatly reduce the scenery’s charm. 📌 Practical Tips for Traveling in Kunming - Transport: - Changshui Airport is connected to the city by Metro Line 6; taxis between attractions are affordable (about 30 RMB from Dianchi Lake to downtown). - Food: - Crossing-the-bridge rice noodles (recommended "Qiaoxiangyuan"), steam pot chicken, wild mushroom hotpot (June to October). - Accommodation: - Around Green Lake/Nanping Street (convenient), Dianchi Lake resort area (nice environment). - Climate: - Large temperature difference between day and night, bring a jacket; rainy season from May to October, bring an umbrella. Suggested Itineraries: - 2-day highlights: Day 1: Dianchi Lake → Nationalities Village → Guandu Ancient Town; Day 2: Stone Forest day trip → Green Lake night stroll. - 3-day in-depth: Day 1: City (Green Lake/Army Lecture Hall/Museum) → Day 2: Stone Forest → Day 3: Dongchuan Red Land (or Jiuxiang Caves). Kunming is a city for slow living, perfect for zoning out and enjoying sunshine and floral scents! 🌸☀️