Kunming | Morning Jog at Cailian River · A Summer Like Studio Ghibli

Stay at Dilinya Hotel and Embrace the Leisurely Time by Cailian River Hey friends, if you're visiting Kunming, staying at Dilinya Hotel is super convenient! There are countless fun spots around, and today I must recommend this hidden gem—Cailian River🌊 📍【Location & Transportation】 Cailian River is a tributary of the Panlong River, stretching about 9.5 kilometers. From "Old Luosiwan" to "Huanggua Ying Section," it's mostly underground, and the open river section starts from "Shenggao Dacheng" downstream, eventually flowing into Dian Lake. From Dilinya Hotel, it's about a 40-minute taxi ride. For a greener option, take Metro Line 5 to Daba Station, exit at Gate C, and walk about 700 meters to reach the river. Along the way, you can enjoy Kunming's urban scenery🚇 🌳【Seasonal Scenery】 Cailian River is beautiful year-round, each season with its unique charm. In spring, willow trees along the banks sprout tender green leaves, while verbena, fountain grass, and crocosmia bloom wildly, their flower spikes swaying in the wind like a vibrant painting. In summer, tall camphor trees and willows along the riverbank form a lush green canopy, with the clear, sparkling water offering a perfect retreat from the heat. In autumn, the leaves of the metasequoia trees turn yellow and red, and sunlight dances on the water, complementing the red bridges on the shore—like stepping into a Monet painting. In winter, red-billed gulls fly in from afar, playing and foraging on the river, adding liveliness to the chilly days. 📸【Must-Visit Spots】 ✅The Viral Red Bridge: This red wooden bridge connecting both sides of Cailian River is the ultimate photo spot! The bold red contrasts strikingly with the surrounding greenery and blue water, making every shot Instagram-worthy. Stand on the bridge with the winding river and distant Western Hills as your backdrop, or sit by the edge with your feet dangling for a candid, artsy shot. ✅Metasequoia Forest: In autumn and winter, the metasequoias here are the star attraction. Stroll along the riverbank, where tall metasequoias stand like sentinels, their orange-red leaves shimmering in the sunlight. For the best photos, head to the southern bank near the red bridge, where the perspective is ideal. Early morning light is soft and perfect for capturing the most stunning scenes. 🎈【Tips for Your Visit】 1. Cailian River is free and open all day, but the best lighting for photos is between 3 PM and 6 PM. Sunny days are ideal. 2. Bring a picnic mat or camping chairs for a relaxing riverside meal, or rent a bike to cycle along the bank and enjoy the breeze. 3. The best time to see the metasequoias is mid-November to mid-December—don’t miss this limited-time autumn spectacle. 4. Near Huaxia Yufu Yijingyuan community, there’s parking space and shared e-bike spots. From the community entrance, walk 5 meters to a blue staircase, descend, and go straight for 15 meters to reach the river. A 2-minute walk in the opposite direction leads to a spacious, clean restroom. After exploring Cailian River, try Kunming’s local delights like small-pot rice noodles, tofu rice noodles, and fried potatoes—each bite is pure Kunming flavor. Friends, when in Kunming, don’t miss the natural beauty of Cailian River for an unforgettable spring city adventure!