Chama Huajie Street in Western Hills, Kunming

Chama Huajie Street is located on the western shore of Dianchi Lake (滇池) in Kunming City, serving as a key passage through the Longmen (龙门) core scenic area of the Kunming Western Hills National Scenic Area (昆明西山国家级风景名胜区), which is a 4A-level scenic spot. This area is designated for financial and business purposes, covering a net land area of 24.28 acres and a total construction area of 13,856.2 square meters. The layout consists of a main tourist cultural pedestrian street, two alleys, three covered walkways, and two squares, incorporating 14 buildings featuring the historical architecture of old Kunming from the Republic of China era, seamlessly integrated with modern commercial elements. The project aims to enhance the basic supporting services for the Western Hills tourist area while catering to urban leisure consumption, creating a unique urban reception area for Kunming.

Location and Transportation

Chama Huajie Street is situated at the essential entrance to the Western Hills scenic area, making it a critical access point to and from the main urban area of Kunming.

Road Transportation

The area has well-developed road connections, adjacent to the Gaoya Interchange (高峣立交), Biji Pass Interchange (碧鸡关立交), and Biji Pass Tunnel (碧鸡关隧道). Several major roads surround it, including Xingaohai Road (新高海路), Lao Gaohai Road (老高海路), Shian Highway (石安公路), Kun'an Expressway (昆安高速), Kunchu Expressway (昆楚高速), and National Highway 320 (320国道).

Public Transport

Buses 6, 17, 18, 51, and 94 provide direct access to the area. Additionally, the extension of Kunming Metro Line 3 (昆明地铁3号线) is approximately 50 meters away, serving as the terminus.

Surrounding Facilities

• East Side: Armed Police Hospital (武警医院), Provincial Party School (省委党校), Ziyuan (紫园), farm-style restaurants (农家乐), and small inns (小旅店).
• West Side: Farm-style restaurants and small inns.
• South and North Sides: No service facilities.

Project Overview

Chama Huajie Street is an important component of the enhancement and renovation of the Western Hills scenic area, and it is essential for applying for the national 5A-level scenic area certification. It is one of the 200 key projects in Kunming and 60 key industrial projects.

Chama Huajie Street is located at the entrance of the Western Hills scenic area, with a planned land area of 24.28 acres and a total construction area of 13,856.2 square meters. The completed street combines high-quality tourism, commercial, and cultural shopping into one, featuring a main pedestrian street, two alleys, three covered walkways, and two squares, blending the architectural styles of old Kunming from the Republic of China with modern commercial elements.

Design and Aesthetic

The project is designed by renowned local architect Zhai Hui (翟辉), the director of the Planning and Design Institute of Kunming University of Science and Technology (昆明理工大学). The design went through several modifications before being finalized. The layout incorporates 14 buildings, ranging from two to four stories, reflecting the Republic of China architectural style, alongside modern commercial developments.

The aim is to fill the gaps in basic tourism services at the Western Hills scenic area while fulfilling urban leisure consumption needs, creating a uniquely characteristic urban reception area in Kunming. This area will focus on dining, leisure, retail, cultural arts, and wellness, allowing visitors and residents to experience a blend of traditional Yunnan culture and modern commercial charm. Upon completion, it will be the only access point for visitors entering the Western Hills scenic area.

Historical Significance

The Western Hills has long been a pride of Kunming residents, known for its rich historical background and dense vegetation, making it an ideal weekend retreat. Particularly since the construction of the Metro Line 3, the restriction of vehicles in the scenic area has posed a challenge for parking. However, the completion of this project will effectively resolve parking difficulties for tourists visiting the Western Hills scenic area.

The current state of the Chama Huajie Street project site serves as the main entrance and parking area for the Western Hills scenic area, where pedestrians and vehicles mix. The site is bordered by Bihai Road (碧海路) to the north, and the newly constructed main vehicular access road to the Western Hills, Longmen Road (龙门路), to the south. The western side connects to the planned scenic area parking garage, and the eastern side is adjacent to the entrance archway of the Western Hills.

Traffic and Layout Considerations

Due to the existing elevation differences and traffic conditions, the project will be designed to optimize space for public use (including dining, shops, public restrooms, and recreational areas). The entire area is located at the main entrance to the Western Hills scenic area. The planning accounts for elevation differences and traffic conditions, dividing the area into eastern and western sections, with the east planned for restaurants and artist studios, as well as street-side commercial spaces.

The newly planned vehicular access to the scenic area will entirely consider Longmen Road, while the internal layout will prioritize pedestrian pathways that also serve as emergency exits. In addition to the planned parking area to the west, parking for Chama Huajie Street will be designed to utilize the elevation difference, placed underground on the second level, effectively separating pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Moreover, the under-construction terminus of Metro Line 3 connects directly with the Chama Huajie Street project, a rare instance of a metro line providing direct access to a scenic area in the country. Officials have stated that if construction proceeds smoothly, starting in 2017, visitors from outside the area will be able to take the metro directly from the airport to the entrance of the Western Hills scenic area, passing through the completed Chama Huajie Street to enter the scenic area.