Kunming City is located in the central region of Yunnan Province, spanning from 102°10′ to 103°40′ E longitude and from 24°23′ to 26°33′ N latitude. The city stretches 237.50 kilometers from north to south and 152 kilometers from east to west, covering a total area of 21,012.54 square kilometers. Situated at the intersection of the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Area, and Pan-Pearl River Delta Economic Zone, Kunming serves as a vital gateway to South Asia, Southeast Asia, and even the Middle East, Southern Europe, and Africa. It holds a unique geographical advantage described as “east connects Guizhou and Guangxi to the coast, north reaches Sichuan and Chongqing to the Central Plains, south descends to Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia, west links Myanmar to India and Pakistan.”
Topography
The center of Kunming City is at an elevation of approximately 1,891 meters. The highest point within Kunming’s jurisdiction is the Ma Zong Ridge of Gongwang Mountain, with an altitude of 4,247.7 meters. The lowest point is at the confluence of the Jinsha and Pudu Rivers, with an altitude of 746 meters. The city is located on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with a general terrain that is high in the north and low in the south, descending stepwise from north to south. The central part is elevated, while the eastern and western sides are relatively low. The primary landform is a karst plateau with lake basins, followed by red hill landscapes. Most areas have altitudes between 1,500 and 2,800 meters.
Climate
Kunming has a subtropical highland monsoon climate, characterized by long sunshine hours, short frost periods, and an annual average temperature of 15°C due to the influence of warm and moist air currents from the Indian Ocean. The city enjoys about 2,200 hours of sunlight per year and a frost-free period of over 240 days. The climate is mild, without extreme heat in summer or severe cold in winter, resembling spring all year round, earning it the titles of “Spring City” and “Flower City.” The annual precipitation is 1,035 millimeters. The temperature in urban areas ranges from 0°C to 29°C, with the smallest annual temperature variation in the country. This rare climatic feature globally allows flowers to bloom year-round and plants to remain green throughout the seasons.
Kunming’s annual temperature variation is minimal, with an average city temperature of about 15°C. The hottest month sees an average temperature of around 19°C, while the coldest month averages around 8°C. Historically, the highest recorded temperature is 31.2°C, and the lowest is -7.8°C. The suitable temperature, moderate humidity, long sunlight hours, and short frost period contribute to the city’s reputation as the “Spring City.” Kunming experiences significant daily temperature variations and high UV intensity, with a saying that “one day can experience all four seasons,” especially noticeable during the winter and spring seasons, where daily temperature differences can reach 12-20°C in winter and 4-10°C in summer.
Main Climatic Features
- Spring: Warm, dry, and with significant daily temperature variations. The average monthly temperature is generally below 20°C.
- Summer: No extreme heat, with concentrated rainfall, accounting for over 60% of the annual total, often leading to heavy rains and floods. The average temperature is around 22°C.
- Autumn: Cool with high, clear skies and reduced rainfall. Temperatures drop quickly, and the season is typically dry, with temperatures about 2°C lower than in spring.
- Winter: No severe cold, abundant sunshine, and little rain. Each month averages about 20 sunny days, with around 230 hours of sunshine and only four rainy days, accounting for just 3-5% of the annual rainfall.
In February 2022, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment ranked Kunming third among 168 key cities in China for air quality.
The Stone Forest in KunmingHydrology
Kunming City lies in the watershed area of the Jinsha, Nanpan, and Yuan rivers, with rivers belonging to three major water systems.
Natural Resources
Water Resources
Kunming boasts plateau freshwater lakes such as Dianchi and Yangzonghai, along with numerous rivers. The average annual surface water resource is 64.95 billion cubic meters. Dianchi Lake is China’s sixth-largest freshwater lake, covering about 300 square kilometers.
Biological Resources
Kunming is rich in plant resources, featuring various vegetation types, including subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests, mixed needle and broad-leaved forests, temperate needle-leaved forests, alpine shrubs, and meadows. The city has over 400 traditional flower varieties, and in recent years, numerous new flower species have been widely cultivated in Kunming.
Mineral Resources
Kunming’s main minerals include phosphorus, salt, iron, titanium, coal, quartz sand, clay, silica, and copper, with the richest being phosphorus and salt. Proven reserves of phosphorus ore total 2.277 billion tons, making Kunyang Phosphorus Mine one of China’s three largest phosphorus mines. Rock salt reserves are 1.222 billion tons, and mirabilite reserves are 1.908 billion tons. Dongchuan is one of China’s six major copper-producing bases.
Land Resources
Kunming features highland red soil, primarily consisting of red soil, purple soil, and paddy soil. The region also has extensive geothermal resources, with over 50 exposed hot springs.
Ever since the late 1970s when China began to open up to the rest of the world, Kunming’s economy has grown at a healthy and rapid rate. Three decades of development generated by Industries as diverse as tobacco, electromechanical, horticultural, mineral and biological resources, information technology, commerce and tourism continue to provide a stable platform for the ongoing growth and development of Kunming’s thriving economy. Kunming has become a major and modern industrial city in China’s southwest.
The mushrooming tertiary education industry is now a major contributor to Kunming’s economy which broadly consists of trade with the countries of Southeast and South Asia as well as with the rest of China in clothing textiles and foot ware, manufacturing, tourism, Information Technology and a modern service industry all of which have developed rapidly since the late 1970s, and sustain Kunming’s economy and society.
Click the picture to enter Google online map of Kunming
Normally, Kunming as most visitors know refers to the urban area including the four districts which are Wuhua, Guandu, Panlong and Xishan. But, Kunming is much larger than what you know.
Shilin County
The Naigu Stone Forest
80 km southeast Kunming, Shilin is known for the Stone Forest which is a UNESCO site. It is also the hometown of Ashima a legendary Yi beauty. Other sites to visit include the Dadieshui Waterfall, Changhu Lake, Yuehu Village, Suoyishan Village, Guishan Forest Park, Xiaoqingkou Village, Azhuodi Village and Weize Village (one of China’s intangible heritage sites).
Yiliang County
The Lion Hall of Jiuxiang Karst Caves
52 km southeast Kunming, Yiliang is dubbed the granary in central Yunnan Province because it is a large producer of rice. The most famous site is the Jiuxiang Karst Caves. Other sites include the Yangzong Lake Resort, Spring City Golf, Yanquan Scenic Area and Xiaoshao Mushroom Village etc.
Jinning County
The Arhat sculptures in Panlong Buddhist Temple
On the southern bank of the Dianchi Lake, it is 50 km from downtown Kunming. As the centre of the Dian bronze culture, Jinning is the hometown of the Chinese great navigator Zheng He in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). Main sites to visit include the Panlong Buddhist Temple, Yi ethnic town of Xiyang, the cradle of Dian bronze culture Shangsuan and Zhenghe Park etc.
Xundian County
The Red Army Museum in Kedu
A Yi and Hui autonomous county 90 km northeast Kunming, Xundian is an important passage connecting Kunming to Sichuan and Guizhou provinces in the southwest of China. Main sites to visit include the Beidaying grassland, Zhongling National Forest Park, Kedu Red Army Museum, Dangui Red Tourist Village, Shiban River Scenic Area and Fenglongwan Scenic Area etc.
Fumin County
The peasant choir in Xiaoshuijing
23 km northwest Kunming, Fumin has been an important linkage in the north of Yunnan connecting Tibet and Sichuan etc. Fumin is a typical agriculture county in Kunming, with the cash plants, vegetables and flowers accounting for about half of its economy. It is worth mentioning that the red bayberry of Cijiu Town is the most famous among the local fruits thus each year a festival is organised dedicated to it. Plus Miao peasant choir of the Xiaoshuijingg Village, Fumin is therefore an undoubtedly a GOOD destination for country tour in Kunming.
Songming County
Yunnan Provincial Flower Demonstration Zone in Songming
One of the counties under jurisdiction of Kunming City, Songming which is a Model Green City of China is 30 km from Kunming downtown. It is an important cradle of the Dian culture as well as the hometown of Lan Mao (1397-1470) who is a reputed Chinese herbalist and poet in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
Main sites to visit in Songming include the Yunnan Provincial Flower Demonstration Zone, Xingyao Water Town (including a lavender park, a horsemanship club and a golf club etc), Fajie Temple Park, and Haichao Temple Park, etc.
The Yunnan Provincial Flower Demonstration Zone located in Xiaojie Town (55 km from downtown) of Songming County is an important flower plantation base around Kunming; a worth-going site inside the Zone is the Chennong Agriculture Exposition Garden.
Luquan County
The Jiaozi Mountain
90 km north Kunming, Luquan is a Yi and Miao autonomous county. Since the Yuan Dynasty (1279-1368), it has been an important linkage in the north of Yunnan connecting Tibet and Sichuan. The Jiaoping Road across the Jinsha River (Yangtze River) connects Luquan to Huili of Sichuan. Main sites to visit in Luquan include the Jiaozi Mt and Red tourist spots such as the Jiaopingdu Ferry etc.
Chenggong District
Formerly called Chenggong County, it is located at the east shore of the Dianchi Lake and is about 20 km from downtown Kunming. Known as a place of fruits and vegetables in Yunnan, Chenggong is crowned the Flower Capital of Asia. Today, it has been developing into a new town of Kunming.
Dongchuan District
Dongchuan may be is the furthest district 150 km northeast of Kunming. It is regarded as the Copper Capital in South China and is most famous for the Redlands a famous photography destination in Yunnan. Each year, the exciting event Dongchuan Debris Flow Autocross attracts lots of visitors.
Anning City
Jinfang forest Spa
A county-level city 30 west Kunming, Anning is the must go-through from Kunming to Dali and Lijiang by road. It is known for the hot spring in Wenquan town and the Caoxi Buddhist Temple. Other sites to visit include the Fahua Temple Grottos, Qinglongxia Valley and Bajie Town etc.
The hotel building has 28-story and about 12,000 square meters, the hotel was built in 1998, and partial renovation in 2004, have more than 10 years history.
Add: No. 99 West Dongfeng Rd., Kunming
Tel: 0871-6362 4999
First opened in 1958, the European style architecture of Kunming Hotel looked so serene that it was a very eye-catching building in Kunming in the mid-twentieth century. Its amenities, interior décor, well appointed facilities, strict management and quality of service gives its guests the feeling of home away from home. Since the date of its establishment, the Hotel has been among the most successful hotels in Yunnan.
Add: No. 52, Dongfeng Rd., Kunming
Tel: 0871-6316 2063
Chinese Name:昆明君乐酒店
Whether you’re stepping out to the 17th-century Green Lake Park at your doorstep, or returning from the bustling Central Business District just minutes away, Grand Park Kunming Hotel is your perfect sanctuary in the historic city of Kunming.
Whether you’re stepping out to the 17th-century Green Lake Park at your doorstep, or returning from the bustling Central Business District just minutes away, Grand Park Kunming Hotel is your perfect sanctuary in the historic Yunnan capital city of Kunming, China.
Centrally located and a 40 minutes’ drive from Kunming International Airport, our hotel’s leisure and business facilities distinguish us as the first international 5-star luxury hotel in Kunming, China. With its undulating wave-like façade soaring 21 storeys above lush green surroundings, the hotel is truly an iconic landmark set to pamper the modern traveller.
Our tastefully designed rooms and suites at Grand Park Kunming Hotel, fully equipped with deluxe amenities exude quiet elegance.
This Kunming hotel accommodation is a gourmand’s haven with a variety of restaurants featuring sumptuous buffet spreads at Indulge at Park, an all-day dining restaurant as well as authentic Yunnan cuisine at Park Palace.
Add: 20 Hong Hua Qiao, Kunming
Chinese ADD:昆明市五华区洪化桥20号(近翠湖公园)
Hotel Website: https://www.parkhotelgroup.com
Tel: 0871-6538 6688
Fax: 0871-6538 1189
.jpg)
Kunming Kai Wah Plaza Hotel is situated in the bustling downtown of Kunming, and the rooms offer a bird’s-eye view of the whole city and its scenic mountains and hills.
The Hotel is only 40 minutes away by car from Changshui International Airport of Kunming.
With its sophisticated, unique design, the Hotel is the ideal location for international businesspeople and tourists and for meetings, exhibitions and business events.
Add：No. 157, Beijing Road
Tel：0871-6356 2828
An international five star deluxe hotel in Kunming, Green Lake Hotel is situated in the heart of Kunming’s business, finance and culture district, perfectly located for business and leisure travel. It is just a minute’s walk to Green Lake Park, the eye of Kunming.
Tel: 0871-6515 8888
Fax: 0871-6515 3286
Add: No.6 Cuihu South Road, Kunming
.jpg)
A little far away from the downtown, but this hotel offers a tranquil environment as it is located just near the Dianchi Lake. If visitors choose to visit Yunnan Nationalities Village and the West Mt, given a short stay in Kunming, this hotel should be the best one.
Add: No.1316 Dianchi Road, Xishan District, Kunming
Tel: 0871-6433 4666
Located in the city centre, The Hump Hostel is the most popular budget hotel for backpackers in Kunming. It offers dorm, private and traditional style standard room with the lowest price.
Tel/Fax: 0871-6364 0359
Add: Jinmabiji Square, Jinbi Rd., Kunming
.jpg)
Located alongside the Dian Lake with great views and scenic surroundings, InterContinental Kunming features a beautiful lawn and spacious outdoor area great for leisure enjoyment, weddings or social gatherings.
With a 1,600 sqm pillar-free grand ballroom, supported by a number of multi-function rooms, the hotel also offers the largest hotel meeting space in the town.
Add: No. 5 Yijing Road, National Tourism Area of Dianchi, Kunming
Tel: 0871-6318 8888
.jpg)
Holiday Inn Kunming City Centre is a premium landmark hotel in the heart of Kunming’s central business district. The hotel offers a convenient downtown location that puts the entire city at your fingertips which includes a wide range of nearby shopping and entertainment venues, as well as easy access by foot to Metro Line No. 1.
Add: No. 29 East Dong Feng Road, Panlong District, Kunming
Tel: 0871-6316 5888
You Might Like
- 24 Days Kyrgyzstan-China-Mongoli Self-Driving Tour from Kashgar to Erenhot
- 6 Days Kunming Shadian Muslim Tour with Yuanyang Rice Terraces and Jianshui Old Town
- 8 Days Yunnan Cycling Tour from Shangrila to Lijiang
- Lijiang Halfday Tour to Baisha Ancient Town, Wenhai Lake and Wenhai Naxi Ethnic Village
- Shangri La Dukezong Old Town Night Tour
- 13 Days Yunnan Muslim Tour (Kunming-Jianshui-Yuanyang-Kunming-Dali-Lijiang-Shangri La)
- 10 Days Best Yunnan Classic Tour with Dianhong Black Tea Culture Tour
- 24 Days China Speed Train Tour to Yunnan and Tibet with Mount Everest Adventure
Kunming Geography
Kunming City is located in the central region of Yunnan Province, spanning from 102°10′ to 103°40′ E longitude and from 24°23′ to 26°33′ N latitude. The city stretches 237.50...
Kunming Economic Background
Ever since the late 1970s when China began to open up to the rest of the world, Kunming’s economy has grown at a healthy and rapid rate. Three decades...
How big is Kunming?
Click the picture to enter Google online map of Kunming Normally, Kunming as most visitors know refers to the urban area including the four districts which are Wuhua, Guandu, Panlong...
New Era Hotel Kunming
The hotel building has 28-story and about 12,000 square meters, the hotel was built in 1998, and partial renovation in 2004, have more than 10 years history. Add:...
Kunming Hotel
First opened in 1958, the European style architecture of Kunming Hotel looked so serene that it was a very eye-catching building in Kunming in the mid-twentieth century. Its amenities,...
Grand Park Hotel in Kunming
Chinese Name:昆明君乐酒店 Whether you’re stepping out to the 17th-century Green Lake Park at your doorstep, or returning from the bustling Central Business District just minutes away, Grand Park Kunming...
Kai Wah Plaza International Hotel in Kunming
Kunming Kai Wah Plaza Hotel is situated in the bustling downtown of Kunming, and the rooms offer a bird’s-eye view of the whole city and its scenic mountains and...
Green Lake Hotel in Kunming
An international five star deluxe hotel in Kunming, Green Lake Hotel is situated in the heart of Kunming’s business, finance and culture district, perfectly located for business and leisure...
Dianchi Garden Hotel & Spa in Kunming
A little far away from the downtown, but this hotel offers a tranquil environment as it is located just near the Dianchi Lake. If visitors choose to visit Yunnan...
The Hump Hostel in Kunming
Located in the city centre, The Hump Hostel is the most popular budget hotel for backpackers in Kunming. It offers dorm, private and traditional style standard room with the...
InterContinental Kunming
Located alongside the Dian Lake with great views and scenic surroundings, InterContinental Kunming features a beautiful lawn and spacious outdoor area great for leisure enjoyment, weddings or social gatherings. ...
Holiday Inn Kunming City Centre
Holiday Inn Kunming City Centre is a premium landmark hotel in the heart of Kunming’s central business district. The hotel offers a convenient downtown location that puts the entire...
Latest Articles
Yunnan Travel from Copenhagen of Denmark
2025-06-17Yunnan Travel from Denmark
2025-06-17Yunnan Travel from Dominican Republic
2025-06-17Contact Info
