Why is Dianchi Lake so special?

Embraced by several peaks and alluring waters, Dianchi Lake is just like a sparkling jewel embedded in Kunming. The lake is crescent-shaped, stretching 24 miles (39 kilometers) from north to south and more than 8 miles (13.5 kilometers) from west to east. Occupying an area of 116 square miles (300 square kilometers), Dianchi Lake is the largest lake in China. More than 20 rivers converge into it.

The Dianchi Scenic Area is quite mesmerizing, where natural scenery and human landscape blend perfectly. It can be divided into two districts, namely West district and East district. What makes Dianchi Lake distinctive is that the color of its water changes with the clouds and sunshine of the day. Around Dianchi Lake also lie many places of interest, such as West Hill, Daguan Park, Yunnan Ethnic Village and so on. These featured attractions are all ideal getaways for visitors to get close to nature to relax.

Introduction

the History of Dianchi Lake

The Chinese character for the lake is a phonosemantic compound of the radical 氵 (“water”) and the character 真, whose current pronunciation is zhēn but whose Old Chinese pronunciation has been reconstructed as tin.

Dianchi Lake was the site of the capital of the independent kingdom of the Cuan (爨) during the first millennium AD. At that time, it was known as Kunchuan (昆川).

Biodiversity of Dianchi Lake

Together with other Yunnan lakes (Fuxian, Qilu, Yangzong, Xingyun, and Yilong), Dian Lake is recognized as an ecoregion. Among three major Yunnan lakes with a high number of endemics, the two other being Fuxian and Erhai, the most drastic loss of biodiversity has been seen in Dian. Of the 25 native fish species and subspecies in Dian Lake, 10 are endemic to the basin: Acheilognathus elongatus, Anabarilius alburnops, Anabarilius polylepis, Cyprinus micristius micristius, Liobagrus kingi, Pseudobagrus medianalis, Silurus mento, Sinocyclocheilus grahami, Sphaerophysa dianchiensis and Xenocypris yunnanensis. Today the only endemic fish known to survive in the lake itself is Anabarilius alburnops, but it is endangered. The remaining have not been recorded there since the 1990s or earlier, and most of these are likely extinct. Two other species, Schizothorax grahami and Yunnanilus nigromaculatus, are endemic to the general region, but have also disappeared from Dian Lake itself. Among the non-endemic natives, only gold fish and Asian swamp eel still live in Dian Lake. In contrast to the status of the natives, the lake is now home to more than 25 introduced fish species.

The Yunnan lake newt (Cynops wolterstorffi) was endemic to the lake, but it has not been seen since 1979 and is considered extinct. Many native hydrophytes have also disappeared from the lake.

Pollution Management of the Dianchi Lake

The pollution and the management of it is the eternal but sad topic of the province and government. Although the country and some global administrations like the World Bank have invested lots of money to help the progress of pollution management and have made some environmental improvement at Dianchi Lake, it can not completely solve the problems of pollution. Dianchi is still one of the most serious polluted lakes in the world, guests may find the water is of extremely green color in the lake.

Best Time To Visit Dianchi Lake

For the comfortable weather in Kunming, it is suitable to have trip here all the year round. What special in winter is that sea gulls will come to winter here and most of the local people will enjoy their time with sea gulls, such as taking photoes and feeding sea gulls.

How to Get here?

By Bus

Take Bus 24, 44, 73, 94, 135, 172 or 233, and get off at Haigeng Gongyuan (Haigeng Park) Station.

By Taxi

Take a taxi to the Haigeng Park (near Dianchi Lake)costs about RMB25 yuan, it is about 12 kilometers from the Nanping Pedestrian Street of Kunming.

Passenger car

There is special line for traveling to Dianchi, you can take that car in the city center.

Private Tour (Top Recommended)

If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private tour package which covers sightseeing, dining and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Dianchi Lake with speed and convenience, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing.

Nearby Attractions

Tourists can not only visit Dianchi Lake, but also can visit some famous attractions near it, such as West Hill Forest Park, National Sport Training Centers, Yunnan National Museum, Yunnan Minorities Village, Daguan Park and other attractions, they are very close to the lake.
Yunnan Ethnic Villages ( 云南民族村)
The Yunnan Ethnic Village acts as a good shortcut to understand the social customs of the ethnic groups in Yunnan. It has a natural sun-bathing area where you can escape from the heat of summer. Twenty-five ethnic nationalities have their respective villages and conduct many activities to present their unique folkways and beautiful clothes. Also you can enjoy the water screen movie and an elephant performance, have a taste of the local dishes and buy pretty handicrafts.

Daguan Park (大观园)
Daguan Park is vibrant with rock gardens, pavilions, bridges and murmuring water. It is famous for the longest couplets in China on the Daguan Pavilion (dà guān lóu 大观楼). The Daguan Pavilion was built in the year 1828. It commands a lovely view. The couplet written in the Qing (qīng 清) Dynasty (1644-1911), contains 180 characters brimming with literary grace. During festival evenings, gatherings take place here

Baiyukou Park (白鱼口公园)
Baiyukou Park is on the west bank of Dianchi Lake. Here a small hill looks like a white fish opening its mouth to Dianchi Lake. Near the Irregular shore line, beautiful gardens are hidden among green trees. In spring, the cherry trees are in blossom, adding luster to this serene place. Overlooking Dianchi Lake, you can see white sails of boats on the glistening lake and gulls skimming over the waves.

Haigeng Bank (海埂)
Haigeng Bank is about four kilometers (2.5 miles) long while ranging in width from forty meters (131 feet) to three hundred meters (984 feet). The bank, like a floating jade belt, is in fact a watershed of the Dianchi Lake. Slender willow twigs sweep the lake in the gentle breeze. In the south is a wonderful natural swimming pool which is always crammed with people in midsummer.

Kwan-yin Hill(观音山)
Kwan-yin Hill is bordered by the vast lake and has an altitude of 2,040 meters (6,693 feet). Lofty peaks on this hill seem to thrust themselves straight towards the sky. A Kwan-yin Temple built here in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was once a popular resort of Buddhism. Remaining are a seven-tier brick pagoda, houses, and a gate to the Kwan-yin Temple.How to get there: A Taxi ride to the northern section of the lake near Daguan Tower lakeside from the city center should cost you a mere Y15. You can also take bus 24 , 44 and get off at Haigeng Bank.

Recommended Dianchi Lake Tours:

Top 3 Dianchi Lake tours chosen by most customers to explore Dianchi Lake in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us. We provide some tour routes for tourists to choose.

1 Day Kunming Cycling Tour Around Dianchi Lake
6 Days Northeast Yunnan Winter Birding Tour to Dianchi Lake, Nianhu Lake and Dashanbao
9 Days Yunnan-Guizhou Winter Birding Tour with Dianchi Lake, Caohai Lake, Nianhu Lake and Dashanbao Nature Reserve

Travel Tips:

1.Recommended travel itinerary in Kunming including the Dianchi Lake: Visitors can firstly go to the West Hill Forest Park for a visit, then take the cable car from Longmen (the gate of the dragon) to Dianchi lake (Ticket price at RMB30).

2.There is no entrance fee charged at the Dianchi Lake, the entrance fee for Haigeng Park is RMB8 yuan. If guest do not want to take boat during the visit, a half day is enough for a visit to Dianchi Lake. If you want to explore the lake further, you can rent a bicycle and spend two days to cycle around the Dianchi, it is about 200 km.

Why is Yunnan Ethnic Villages so special?

This theme park displays the colorful folklore and architecture of 25 ethnic groups residing in Yunnan Province. The theme park offers shows and performances, folklore and wax museums, as well as replica buildings found in the villages of each ethnic group.Villages of over 25 minorities including the Yi, Dai, Miao, Jingpo, Wa, Hani, Naxi, Dulong and others have been built here. Through various displays and re-creations of the original villages, the Yunnan Ethnic Village displays the diverse local ethnic culture. Villages of different styles are well arranged and show visitors their unique charm. Displaying a variety of buildings, lifestyles, and religious beliefs in the region, the village is a microcosm of Yunnan’s colorful and diverse ethnic culture.

At the main gate hangs a plaque inscribed with five Chinese characters, Yun Nan Min Zu Cun, saying Yunnan Nationalities Village. A logo of a flying golden phoenix is right below the plaque, symbolizing good wishes to the village. On the lawn near the gate is a group of white elephant statues, as it is a custom here to welcome distinguished guests with elephants.

List of the main 25 Ethnic Minorities in Yunnan

Tibetan Ethnic Minority	Naxi  Ethnic Minority	Achang  Ethnic Minority	Yao Ethnic Minority	Hui Ethnic Minority	Manchu Ethnic Minority	Pumi Ethnic Minority
Lisu Ethnic Minority	Buyi Ethnic Minority	Mogolian Ethnic Minority	Nu Ethnic Minority	Shui Ethnic Minority	Zhuang Ethnic Minority	Miao Ethnic Minority
Hani Ethnic Minority	Jingpo Ethnic Minority	Lahu Ethnic Minority	Jino Ethnic Minority	Bulang Ethnic Minority	Yi Ethnic Minority	Bai Ethnic Minority
Dai Ethnic Minority	Wa Ethnic Minority	Deang Ethnic Minority	Mosuo Ethnic People

List of the 25 Ethnic Villages in Yunnan Ethnic Villages

Tibetan Ethnic Village	Naxi  Ethnic Village	Achang  Ethnic Village	Yao Ethnic Village	Hui Ethnic Village	Manchu Ethnic Village	Pumi Ethnic Village
Lisu Ethnic Village	Buyi Ethnic Village	Mogolian Ethnic Village	Nu Ethnic Village	Shui Ethnic Village	Zhuang Ethnic Village	Miao Ethnic Village
Hani Ethnic Village	Jingpo Ethnic Village	Lahu Ethnic Village	Jino Ethnic Village	Bulang Ethnic Village	Yi Ethnic Village	Bai Ethnic Village
Dai Ethnic Village	Wa Ethnic Village	Deang Ethnic Village	Mosuo Ethnic Village

Introduction

the Basic Information of Yunnan Ethnic Villages

Located by the Dianchi Lake and at the foot of the Western Hill, the Village is a major part of Kunming Dianchi National Tourist and Holiday Zone. Opened to the public on February 18, 1992, the community is 8 km away from the city of Kunming proper and covers an area of 1,340 mus. The whole community contains 26 villages, and so far the Dai Village, the Bai Village, the Yi Village, the Naxi Village, the Wa Village, the Jinuo Village, the Lahu Village, the Bulang Village and 4 other villages have been completed.

The village is not only celebrating ethnic minorities, but it is also designed to give the world a snapshot view of both the natural scenery and cultural importance of Yunnan including: precipitous hills and beautiful lakes, parks, woods, old and modern treasures. Now the community has become a must-see for domestic and overseas visitors to Yunnan.

the Main Villages in Yunnan Ethnic Villages

• Dai Village

After entering, the first site coming into view is the Dai Village. Occupying 4.4 acres (1.8 hectares), the village is surrounded with water on three sides. Bamboo houses built on stilts are shaded with trees and flowers. A meandering path paved with red sandstones leads to a sacred Burmese-style temple. The lofty white tower, exquisite pavilions and bridges are very impressive. As a nationality loving singing and dancing, Dai People are proud of their peacock dance and music played on cucurbit flutes, which perfectly match each other.

• Bai Village

The typical Bai Village is composed of some traditional Bai residential houses with rooms on three sides and a wall (with the door) on the southern side. Tourists should never miss the occasions of Bawang dances and March Street (a festival normally celebrated from March 10th to 21st of lunar calendar in Dali)

• Yi Village

In the west of Harmony Square is the Yi Nationality village. It covers more than 8.4 acres (3.4 hectares). Since Yi People show respect to tigers, you can see a tiger rockery as well as a wall engraved with three tigers. A giant totem column is erected in the center of the magnificent Solar Calendar Square. Carved on the column are patterns of the sun, fire, tigers and the Eight Trigrams of ancient China. Around the column, there are ten black and white stone spheres facing different directions, symbolizing that life originates from the sun and the moon. The twelve lifelike carvings of Chinese zodiac animals on the peripheral add a lot of fun to the village. The distilleries, bullrings, and Mo Qiu, which is similar to a seesaw, represent authentic Yi culture.

• Naxi Village

Naxi Village is located to the east of Bai Village. Tourists can appreciate Naxi folk culture (called Dongba Culture), especially the local Dongjing music, the so-called sound of nature.

• Mosuo Village

Next to Naxi Village is Mosuo Village, which still maintains the matriarchy clans and the customs. What are special in Mosuo Village are the exquisite wood houses, delicious food, beautiful girls and last but not the least, the mysterious custom of walking marriage. Mosuo people’s marriage culture is quite uncommon. They prefer a visiting relationship between lovers—an arrangement they sometimes refer to in their language as sisi (zou hun in Chinese, meaning walking back and forth; or azhu zou hun, meaning friend marriage. Azhu means friend in Mosuo language). A Mosuo woman is free to receive male visitors after the coming-of-age ceremony at 12. A lover may stay overnight in her room but will return to his own mother’s home. Children born from such a relationship live with their mother. In Mosuo society, lovers can end their relationship at any time. For example, a woman may refuse her lover by simply no longer opening the door. Their marriage relationship is not a formal one.

• Achang Village

With a courtyard building as the main body, and the village gate, workshop is corresponding, such as a grey tile brick wall and stone column is characteristic. Achang people are hospitable and respect the old and cherish the young. There are guest to nap, the host entertain the guest with good tea and serve better wine; When propose a toast or pour tea, avoid to accept without comity. There is custom that the host will try to persuade guest to drink and eat, whether people who can drink liquor or tea, it is taboo that guest does not accept; When guest is persuaded by the host during dinner-time, no matter you are full or hungry, you’d better receive what the host give with bowl holding in both hands. Receiving with both hands or get up to salute is regarded as a great respect.

• Zhuang Village

Zhuang compatriots of Yunnan province mainly gathered in Wenshan prefecture, they live in Ganlan or Malan local-style dwelling houses, good at planting and diligent about farming, and they have customs of sun-worship, “Three Eternity Emperor” worship, ancestor-worship, and the custom of the master of elder is the leader. They regard highly of bronze drum, love silver ware, can sing and dance. They are hospitable and love to eat five-color glutinous rice, rice wine, and roasted tea. They have a national consciousness of self-esteem and self-confidence, their excellent traditional cultures are still intact that remain the ancient ethnic traditional culture essence of Baiyue minority.

• Tibetan Village

Covers an area of 21 mu, the village has top residences and carving type flat local-style dwelling houses building. Sacred Tibetan Buddhist temple, magnificent welcome white pagoda, the “white yak” sculpture is symbol of auspicious peace and unique style of Tibetan architecture mutual set off, bring out the best in each other. During the festival, singing folk songs, dancing Guozhuang dance and Xianzi dance, riders are even competing for archery.

What to do in Yunnan Ethnic Village

1. Watching  Ethnic Singing and Dancing Performances

The ethnic singing and dancing performances and the folk performances are from 9:00 to 17:00, mainly in the Dancing Hall and Tuanjie Square. The Asian Elephants performances are specially recommended.

Shows Timetable

Colorful Clouds	Jingpo Village	09:30-10:00, 11:30-12:00, 16:10-16:40
	Daogan Square	10:10-10:40, 11:20-11:50, 17:00-17:30
	Wa Village	10:50-11:20, 12:00-12:30, 16:20-16:50
	Yi Village	10:40-11:10, 14:00-14:30, 16:10-16:40
	Jino Village & Lahu Village	11:40-12:10, 14:10-14:40
	Mosuo Village	13:20-13:50, 16:30-17:00
	Bai Village	10:30-11:00, 12:40-13:10, 17:00-17:30
The Call of the Plateau	Dianchi Stage	13:20-14:10 CNY 150 for a normal ticket and CNY 260 for a VIP ticket
Elephant Show	Elephant Show Square	Ride elephant and take pictures: 10:30-11:00, 14:30-15:00, 15:30-16:00 Elephant show: 11:00-11:30, 15:00-15:30, 16:00-16:30

Note: The time schedule is subject to changes due to weather conditions and other factors.

2. Celebrating Festivals of Minority Ethnic Groups

1. Torch Festival of Yi- falls from June 24 to June 26 in Chinese lunar calendar (usually late June in western calendar).
2. Water Splashing Festival of Dai- falls in mid-April and lasts for 3-7 days
3. Hunting Festival (Lieshen Festival) of Yi- falls in February 1 to February 3 in Chinese lunar calendar (usually early March in western calenda)
4. Sanyuejie Festival of Bai- falls in March 15 in Chinese lunar calendar (usually in mid-April in western calendar)
5. Mizhi Festival of Yi- usually falls in November and women are not allowed to attend.
6. March 3 in Chinese lunar calendar- falls in late March or early April in western calendar; it is a day for spring outing of Kunming people.

3. Familiar Ethnic Culture

Yunnan Ethnic Village has managed to represent and exhibit the history, the cultures, the customs and the natural village houses of the 26 nationalities in this province. With the inclusion of precipitous hills, beautiful lakes and an integration of the customs, cultures, music, songs, dances, religious and architecture of the 26 nationalities, the village community has helped to show the world the true nature of Yunnan, a mysterious yet modern garden of ethnic cultures.

How to Get There?

• From Changshui International Airport to Village of Ethnic Culture

Kunming Changshui Airport is about 25 km from downtown, it takes about 100 RMB to Kunming city. And it is inconvenient to take public bus from the airport to the village because of transfering, so we recommend people to go to Village of Ethnic Culture from the airport by taxi which costs at least 100 RMB.

• From Kunming City to Yunnan Ethnic Village

By bus: You can take public bus No.24, 44, and 73 to Yunnan Village of Ethnic Culture bus stop.
By taxi: Taking taxi from downtown to Yunnan Village of Ethnic Culture takes about 30 minutes.

Transportation Facilities within the Tourist Site

Quadricycle with 2 or 4 seats	CNY 100/vehicle (three hours)
Balance bike	CNY 80/hour
Electro car with 2 seats	CNY 80/hour
Sightseeing mini-train	CNY 30 per person
Sightseeing boat	CNY 20 per person
13-seat battery car	CNY 500/car (two hours)
7-seat battery car	CNY 300/car (two hours)

Nearby Attractions 

Except Yunnan Ethnic Village, you also can enjoy other chanrming attractions near Yunnan Ethnic Village.

The Golden Temple

Golden Temple was built in Ming dynasty and was reconstructed by Wu Sangui in the 10th year of the Kangxi Period (1671 A .D.) made by brass which is the mixture of copper and zinc. That’s why it is named as “the golden temple”. It is totally weighted250 tons and 6.7 meters high; it isthe biggest and heaviest as well as the best preserved copper templein China. It is a key national cultural and historical relics. The whole temple reflects the excellent metallurgical and casting technology more than 300 years ago in Yunnan.

The Western Hills and Dragon Gate

Western Hills boasts an excellent environment with flourishing flowers and dense forest, providing tourists an excellent environment to enjoy the tranquility and marvelous scenery. They have also been given another name – ‘Sleeping Beauty Hills’ for the hills because its skyline looks like a beautiful young lady laying beside Dianchi Lake with her face upward and her hair trailling into water.

The Kingdom of the Little People

The Kingdom of the Little People is a theme park located near Kunming, Yunnan that features comic performances by people with dwarfism. Supporters of the park claim that it provides employment to people who would otherwise be unable to find work, but it has been criticized for treating dwarfism as a humorous condition.

Recommended Yunnan Ethnic Village Tours

Top 3 Yunnan Ethnic Village chosen by most customers to explore Yunnan Ethnic Village in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us. We provide some tour routes for tourists to choose.

1 Day Kunming City Highlights Tour with Yunnan Ethnic Villages and Western Hills
1 Day Kunming Stone Forest Tour with Yunnan Ethnic Villages
11 Days Yunnan Ethnic Minority’s Markets Discovery and Long Street Banquet Celebration Tour

Travel tips: 

1. Each village has performances from 09:00 to 17:00, usually taking place in the Dance Hall or in the Plaza of Ethnic Unity.

2. Asian Elephant Show Time: 10:30-11:30; 13:30-14:30; 15:30-16:30.
3. CNY 40 for one-way cableway to West Hill Forest Park, CNY 70 for round cableway.

Welcome to our contemporary Ramada Plaza Fuxian Lake hotel. We’re located near the Kunming International Airport (KMG), with quick access to Highway 202 and the Chengcheng Expressway. Our hotel is local to area destinations including the Cheng Jiang Fuxian Lake scenic area and downtown. Business travelers will appreciate our on-site business center and free high-speed WiFi throughout their stay, as well as our proximity to Zai Feng Group and Cheng Jiang Hua Ye Chemical.

Travel at Ease

Enjoy free buffet breakfast, WiFi, and our heated indoor pool

Start your day with a free buffet breakfast, including traditional Sichuan and Yunnan cuisine. Try our two on-site eateries for lunch or dinner and treat yourself to Western and Chinese dishes. Visit our fitness center for a great workout, then relax in our heated indoor pool. Each guest room is outfitted with a safe, minibar, and ironing amenities. All of our guests enjoy free parking throughout their stay. While you’re here, make sure to ask our friendly front desk staff for directions and local recommendations.

Sample the World

Hike a mountain, find fossils, relax lakeside, or tour an island

South China features an abundance of natural retreats and day trips to satisfy every visitor. Relax on the beach or take a paddle boat and tour Gushan Island on Fuxian Lake—or spend the day exploring the mountains of the Luchong scenic area. Discover ancient fossils and hiking trails at Maotianshan Mountain Nation Geo-park. You can also embark on a one-of-a-kind experience at Mingxing Fishing Cave scenic zone, with ancient fishing caves etched with carvings and natural springs.

Introduction

Yunnan Nationalities Museum is located on the east bank of Dianchi Lake next to Yunnan Nationalities Village in Kunming City, China. Completed in 1995, it is a comprehensive ethnology museum. Covering an area of over 200 mu, the museum has a building area of 130,000 square meters. It consists of various exhibition halls, office building, report hall, storage and workshops. The ecological environment, religious customs, culture and arts and ethnic relics of the ethnic groups of Yunnan are collected in it.

The structure of Yunnan Nationalities Museum

 

The whole architecture looks like a courtyard with winding corridors featuring the local and minority nationalities’ styles.

Including 17 nationalities, Yunnan Nationalities Museum assembled 23 assistant research fellows and 28 lecturers. It consists of 5 sections: Administration Department, Exhibition Department, Cultural Relics Department, Research Department, Scientific Education Department, Development Department. The whole collection of the museum reached to over20,000. The museum has a exhibitions focusing on specific subjects.

In addition, the museum is not only a hall for showing the nationalities cultures, but also a beautiful scenic spot and ideal conference center. It has multi-function conference hall which is equipped with simultaneous interpretation system. Book store, handicraft shop, tea house and Artist studios or galleries are available for entertainment. Wish you a good time in Yunnan Nationalities Museum. It extends warm welcome to the visitors from all over the world.

Exhibition of Yunnan Nationalities Museum

Basic Exhibition

1.Ethnic Costumes and Its Processing Skill: The exhibition is composed of two parts: “Traditional costumes” and “Costume processing skills”. Taking a main route of the history of costume development, the part of “Traditional costumes” presents the ethnic costumes made with various materials, rich styles, exquisite skills and of cultural meaning in different periods. The part of “Costume processing skills” presents the cloth including Dai brocade and Zhuang brocade, cloth processing tools, including spinning wheels, spinning tools, waist looms, horizontal looms, costume techniques and processes such as Tie-dye of Bai people, Batik of Miao people; various decorative ornaments and their processing tools, which display excellent skills level and unique aesthetic interests of Yunnan ethnic groups.

2.Ethnic Writing Characters and Ancient Books: The exhibition is composed of three parts：“Primitive Recording”, “Ethnic Ancient Books”, “Working Achievement”. The part of “Primitive Recording” displays those primitive information exchange ways before the invention o writing characters, such as wood carving and rode-tie, knitting, character patterns, objects endorsement, cliff painting. The part of “Ethnic Ancient Books” presents extensively ethnic writing characters and ancient books of various recording types, including inscriptions cliff, signature, stamps, ancient archives. The part of “Working Achievement” focus on the field work collecting, research and exhibition, interpretation and publishing works to show the fruits of ethnic ancient books and facing opportunities and challenge.

3.Traditional Producing and Life Skill: The exhibition is composed of “Traditional Producing Skill” and “Traditional Life Skill”. “Traditional Producing Skill” including two units of “Collecting, Fishing and Hunting Skill” and “Traditional Agriculture Skill”, presents Yunnan ethnic producing skill such as collecting, fishing, hunting, slash-and-burn cultivation, sowing and irrigation, hoe farming and plough farming, harvest and threshing. “Traditional Life Skill”, including three parts: “Folk dwelling house architecture”, “life utensils” and “life skill”, displays typical ethnic dwelling house in Yunnan, utensils for daily life and skills such as pottery-making, paper processing, sugar and oil press, rice processing, etc.

Temporary Exhibition

1.Culture on Fabrics – Canadian Aboriginal Textile Art
2.Zheng He, the Great Navigator, Diplomat and Envoy of Peace
3.Living by the Same River: The Greater Mekong Documentary Photography Exhibition

Domestic Exhibition Tour

1.A Fairyland of Seven Colors – Yunnan Ethnic Folk
2.The Charm of Yunnan – Yunnan Ethnic Folk Customs Exhibition
3.The South of Colourful Clouds – Yunnan Ethnic Folk Customs Exhibition

 Exhibition Abroad

1.China’s Ethnic Clothing & Accessories Exhibition (2003, China-France Culture Year)
2.Lotus and Dragon – China’s Ethnic Clothing & Accessories Exhibition (2004, Finland)
3.Splendid China – China’s Ethnic Clothing and Handicrafts Exhibition (2007, Russia’s Year of China)

Departments of Yunnan Nationalities Museum

Executive Office:

Responsible for secretarial, personnel, financial and foreign affairs, coordination between departments and public relations
Administrator: Du Yunhong, Associate Research Fellow of Museology.
Tel: 0871 – 4311389
Fax: 0871 – 4311394

Cultural Relics Department:

Responsible for the storage, maintenance and collection of cultural relics.
Administrator: Jiang Zhen, Associate Research Fellow of Museology
Deputy Administrator: Li Jin, Museologist
Tel: 0871 – 4312097

Exhibition Department:

Responsible for planning and implementation of exhibitions, multimedia research and development of exhibitions, management of pictures and data, etc.
Administrator: Yang Li, Associate Research Fellow of Museology
Deputy Administrator: Li Xiaobin, Associate Research Fellow of Museology
Tel: 0871 – 4312090

Research Department:

Responsible for scientific research, website construction, books and data, video resources, etc.
Administrator: Wang Guoliang, Associate Research Fellow of Museology
Deputy Administrator: Yang Xiaobing, Associate Research Fellow of Museology
Tel: 0871 – 4312091

Scientific Education Department:

Responsible for management of exhibition halls, visitors, volunteers, social education, etc.
Administrator: Hei Shaorong, Associate Research Fellow of Museology
Deputy Administrator: Qiu Wenfa, Associate Research Fellow of Museology
Tel: 0871 – 431138, 0871 – 4311216

Development:

Responsible for development, operation, logistics, water and electricity, environmental sanitation, etc.
Deputy Administrator: Ji Zhimei, Museologist
Deputy Administrator: Luo Zhicheng
Tel: 0871 – 4311215

Security Department:

Responsible for security, fire prevention, monitoring, management of security guards, etc.
Chief: Pu Zongde
Tel: 0871 – 4311317

Education of Yunnan Nationalities Museum

The Yunnan Nationalities Museum, adhering to the core value of museum education and the tenet of serving the general public and building China into a strong nation of socialist culture, has attracted more than 6 million visitors with various exhibitions, extracurricular activities for high school students, thematic lectures, community-based family education sessions, school-museum and inter-museum cooperation, construction of patriotism and popular science bases, public services, thematic education programmes, volunteer team building efforts and museum membership since its establishment. The Chinese and foreign state leaders that have visited our museum include NPC Chairman Qiao Shi (1999), Vice Premier Wu Bangguo (1995), NPC Vice Chairman Bu He (1998), CPPCC Vice Chairman Yang Rudai, HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand and Prince Akishino Miyafumihito of Japan. The Yunnan Nationalities Museum, as an important window open to the outside world and a spiritual home of all ethnic groups in Yunnan, is now playing an important role in publicizing the outstanding Chinese cultural heritage and promoting the national unity.

How to Get there?

Yunnan Nationalities Museum is located at 1503 Dianchi Road, Kunming, conveniently accessible via the buses A1, A9, 44, 73, 24, and 135. Please get off at Yunnan Nationalities Village and we are right across the road.

Travel Tips:

1. Yunnan Nationalities Museum offers free admission for the general public since January 1, 2011, and you are warmly welcome to visit us with your family and friends.

2. Admission: If you visit us as an individual visitor, you are supposed to show the reception a valid identity document of yours and get a ticket for a free tour of our Museum. Group visitors are advised to call and make an appointment with us the day before you come.

3. Circuit of Visits: Upon entering our Museum lobby, you can either follow the suggested circuit of visits through all showrooms or choose what to see at your own discretion .

4. Museum Policy:

• Visitors must follow the instructions and guidance of our staff during the visit.

• Visitors must keep the noise level down, respect public facilities and never touch the exhibits.

• Visitors must not litter or smoke on these premises.

• Visitors must never bring state-controlled items or pets into our Museum.

• Visitors must be free from the influence of alcohol and properly dressed, and persons with no or limited capacity for civil conduct must be accompanied by their guardians.

• Picture taking or filming is subject to prior Museum consent.

5. Useful Numbers: Appointments: (0871) 4311385 Visits & Complaints: (0871) 4311216

Chinese Name: 昆明市文林街
English Name: Wenlin Street in Kunming

Wenlin Street: The Beauty of Culture and Nature in Kunming

Kunming Wenlin Street in Wuhua District, travel guide introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, weather, accommodation, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of Wenlin Street in Kunming.

Overview of the Street

Wenlin Street is located in Kunming, stretching from the intersection of Cuihu North Road and Qingyun Street in the east to the northern entrance of Dongfeng West Road in the west. It is named “Wenlin Street,” meaning “a grove of literati,” because it is situated near the old examination hall (now part of Yunnan University) where many candidates gathered during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Although Wenlin Street has evolved from its original small dirt path from the Ming and Qing eras, it retains an ancient and simple atmosphere. The street is lined with uniquely designed small shops that add a strong artistic vibe to Wenlin Street, making it a popular tourist destination in Kunming.

The Beauty of Ginkgo Trees

On Wenlin Street, there is a row of tall ginkgo trees that don their golden attire every autumn. Sunlight filters through the sparse leaves and casts dappled shadows on the street. A gentle breeze stirs the golden leaves, causing them to flutter down like countless golden butterflies dancing in the air. This scene not only amazes people with the wonders of nature but also allows them to feel the power of life and the endless possibilities of aesthetics. This ginkgo grove is not only a beautiful landscape of Wenlin Street but also an important part of Kunming’s history and culture. It has witnessed the city’s development and changes, as well as the growth and dreams of generations. Accompanied by the ginkgo trees, Wenlin Street becomes more poetic and romantic, attracting countless visitors and locals who stop to admire and take photos. When night falls, the ginkgo trees on Wenlin Street appear particularly tranquil and mysterious under the glow of streetlights. Strolling beneath the ginkgo trees at this time, one can almost hear the passage of time and feel the weight of history. In such an atmosphere, people cannot help but ponder the meaning and value of life, cherishing the beautiful moments before them.

Must-Visit Shops on Wenlin Street

• Rubber Bookstore: Stepping inside feels like entering a romantic fairy tale, with a healing aura in every corner.
• Kuoi Coffee: The Xiantao Waterfall is breathtakingly beautiful, and the window sill is a photo hotspot.
• Alley Gallery: Bougainvilleas bloom in the alley, and the art pieces provoke deep thought, adding unique charm.
• Zhen Gaoxing Coffee: The coffee is so good that patrons can’t stop raving about it!
• Zhu Yin Cen Jin Coffee: Nestled in a residential area, it offers a tranquil garden-like atmosphere, as well as the former home of artist Yuan Xiaocen.
• 1010 Art Bar: A creative space where guests can also try their hand at painting—endless fun!
• Elephant Bookstore: A great choice for those looking to read and spend time away from home.

Why is Golden Temple so special?

Golden Temple is the biggest and heaviest as well as the best preserved copper temple in China. It is a key national cultural and historical relics. The whole temple reflects the excellent metallurgical and casting technology more than 300 years ago in Yunnan.

the History of Golden Temple

What to See in Golden Temple

1. Golden Temple Heaven Gate

2. The Bell Tower

The Bell Tower was constructed in 1983. In the middle of the tower hangs a copper bell which is 3.5 meters high, has a circumference of 6.7 meters, and weighs 14 tons.The bell, cast in 1423 A.D., the 21st year of the Yongle Period of the Ming Dynasty, was previously installed in Xuanhua Tower at the south gate of Kunming. It ranks fourth on the list of ancient bells in China.

3. Botanical Garden

The Landscape and Botanical Garden of Kunming covers 33 hectares. So far nine flower gardens, such as the Camellia Garden, Yulan Magnolia Garden and Azalea Garden,have already been established in it. The Camellia Garden, the largest camellia garden with the most varieties of camellia trees in China, covers an area of more than 10 hectares and has more than 10,000 camellia trees of 40 varieties.

4. Kingdom of Nonferrous Metals

Golden Temple and Yongle Bell vividly show that Yunnan has been the “kingdom of nonferrous metals”, and the botanical garden exhibits the beauty and elegance of Yunnan as the “kingdom of plants” and the “kingdom of the flowers”.

What to Do in Golden Temple?

1. Exploring Taoism Culture

The famous Golden Temple is part of the Taoist Taihe Palace, founded by Yu Ming for 30 years, and restored by Wu Sangui. Tourists can enjoy the rich culture of Taoism here.

2. Visiting Golden Temple Fair

Golden Temple Fair is an ancient traditional folk custom and cultural activities, which aims to pray for the new year. The Golden Temple Fair, held on the ninth day of the first lunar month, has a history of more than 400 years and is a well-known traditional festival of the Spring Festival in Kunming. Whenever the “Golden Temple Fair”, people from all directions are all bustling to the Golden Temple to visit temple fair

3. Watching Camellia of Golden Temple

Golden Temple enjoy thousands of pots of camellia, also known as camellia, is one of the eight famous flowers in Yunnan, its cultivation history has been more than 500 years. Yunnan is called the hometown of camellia. Camellia is also the city flower of Kunming. In late winter and early spring, a hundred flowers still sleep and leaves fall, but the camellia puff in full bloom.Golden Temple’s camellias welcome the tourists from all directions.

Best Time to Visit Golden Temple

From March to October is the best time to travel, in the spring and summer the scenery is the best. The scenery in winter is simple, and it is not very good to visit as in other season.

How to Get Golden Temple?

By Bus

1. Take bus 76 to Jindian (Golden Temple) station.
2. Take bus 10, 69, 71, 147, 235, Z85, or Z90 to Jindian Chechang.

By Taxi

It takes tourists about half an hour to get Golden Temple from downtown of Kunming.

Cable Car

It can be reached by cable car from the Expo Garden or by ropeway from the Expo Garden.

Nearby Attractions

The Development of Haigeng Dam

As Kunming continues to grow and change, green space and public gathering spaces remain in short supply. City planners are looking to address such concerns on the shores of Dianchi Lake (滇池) with a multi-purpose renovation project. Construction will begin April 1 along the entire length of Haigeng Dam (海埂大坝), effectively closing the promenade for the next seven months. The 470 million yuan (US$68 million) undertaking will appear largely cosmetic when finished. However, wholesale changes to the facade will also include improvements to the dam’s overall structural stability as well as the installation of a lake water filtration system. The upgrades are part of a large scheme meant to beautify tourist attractions across the Spring City.
Currently, the Haigeng, or Dianchi, promenade is on average eight meters wide, a space that will be doubled to 16 meters once the makeover is complete. In addition to a vastly expanded walkway, the ‘City Garden’ project calls for extensive park and wetland landscaping, the construction of rest areas, concession stands and modernized lighting, as well as new boat docking facilities.

Pedestrian visitors will no doubt enjoy the enhancements, but the changes they will not be able to see are the most important. The 2,400 meter-long Haigeng Dam was originally built in the 1960s as bulwark between Dianchi Lake and extensive wetlands on its northeastern shore. Once the embankment was finished, the wetlands were drained and filled in with farmland. After 55 years, the dam is in serious need of new support pilings, especially considering it will soon double in size. As the foundation is rebuilt, engineers will also install a filtration system positioned under the dam designed to remove Dianchi’s ever-present but thankfully shrinking sheen of lake-killing algae. The filters are expected to augment other ongoing efforts to clean the lake of its bacterial infestation by seven to ten percent each year.

Nearby Attractions

Yunnan Ethnic Villages (云南民族村)

Located by the Dianchi Lake and at the foot of the Western Hill, the Village is a major part of Kunming Dianchi National Tourist and Holiday Zone. Opened to the public on February 18, 1992, the community is 8 km away from the city of Kunming proper and covers an area of 1,340 mus. The whole community contains 26 villages, and so far the Dai Village, the Bai Village, the Yi Village, the Naxi Village, the Wa Village, the Jinuo Village, the Lahu Village, the Bulang Village and 4 other villages have been completed.

Haigeng Park (海埂公园)

Haigeng Park is mainly a natural scenic spot and a lakeside bathing beach with green willows, sky-piercing eucalyptuses, and blooming flowers. The part and the nearby fishing villages merge harmoniously into one. On bright sunny days, the water stretches out in a boundless expanse; white clouds float lazily across the blue sky while gentle waves are rippling, sails are drifting with the current and sea gulls are skimming over the water.

Dianchi Lake (滇池)

The Dianchi Scenic Area is quite mesmerizing, where natural scenery and human landscape blend perfectly. It can be divided into two districts, namely West district and East district. What makes Dianchi Lake distinctive is that the color of its water changes with the clouds and sunshine of the day. Around Dianchi Lake also lie many places of interest, such as West Hill, Daguan Park, Yunnan Ethnic Village and so on. These featured attractions are all ideal getaways for visitors to get close to nature to relax.

West Hill (西山)

Western Hills boasts an excellent environment with flourishing flowers and dense forest, providing tourists an excellent environment to enjoy the tranquility and marvelous scenery. They have also been given another name – ‘Sleeping Beauty Hills’ for the hills because its skyline looks like a beautiful young lady laying beside Dianchi Lake with her face upward and her hair trailling into water.

How to get there?

By Bus

Take bus No. 171, 183 and get off Haigeng Dam Station.

By Taxi

It take tourists 30 minutes to Haigeng Dam from Down of Kunming.

Recommended Haigeng Dam Tour Routes

Top 3 Haigeng Dam tours chosen by most customers to explore Haigeng Dam in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us. We provide some tour routes for tourists to choose.

6 Days Northeast Yunnan Winter Birding Tour to Dianchi Lake, Nianhu Lake and Dashanbao
8 Days Yunnan Winter Birding Tour to Dongchuan Red Land, Nianhu Lake and Dashanbao Nature Reserve
9 Days Yunnan-Guizhou Winter Birding Tour with Dianchi Lake, Caohai Lake, Nianhu Lake and Dashanbao Nature Reserve

Travel Tips:

1. Visitors can also go to the West Hill Forest Park for a visit, then take the cable car from Longmen (the gate of the dragon) to Dianchi lake (Ticket price at RMB30).

2. There is no entrance fee charged at the Dianchi Lake, the entrance fee for Haigeng Park is RMB8 yuan. If guest do not want to take boat during the visit, a half day is enough for a visit to Dianchi Lake. If you want to explore the lake further, you can rent a bicycle and spend two days to cycle around the Dianchi, it is about 200 km.  

Why is Jiuxiang Cave so special?

Jiuxiang Cave has about a hundred karst caves and the most wonderful in-cave scenes in China. The caves in Jiuxiang fall into 4 cave clusters: Sanjiao Cave, Dashang Cave, Diehong Cave and Dasha Dam Cave. 66 out of the numerous caves in the area are profitably exploitable and the karst cave cluster is the largest of its kind on Yunnan-Guizhou plateau. The caves in the area are praised for their grandeur, wonder grotesquerie and natural beauty.

Introduction

Some Informatin of Jiuxiang Cave

Jiuxiang Caves is 20 sq km in area and includes 5 tourist attractions, Diehong Bridge (5 km southeast from Jiuxiang Street, famous for the karst caves, the twin waterfalls and the huge natural stone dam cluster), Dasha Dam (consisting of picturesque karst caves and thick forest), Sanjiao Cave (5 km north of Jiuxiang Street, famous for the karst caves), Alu Long [a scenic area 6 km west of Jiuxiang Street, famous for the excavated Yi Nationality cliff paintings of Qin 221BC-206BC) and Han (206BC-220AD) dynasties] and Mingyue (meaning the bright moon) Lake.

Jiuxiang, the birthplace of the aboriginal Yi ethnic people, has a strong minority custom color, a long cultural history, and widely spread old myths and tales. These include Hunting Festival, the Worship the White Dragon Festival, Love Song Contest, Bullfighting, Wrestling, Sanxian Dance (Sanxian is a three-stringed plucked instrument), Rattle Stick Dance and so on.

Main Attractions of Jiuxiang Caves:

Recommended Jiuxiang Tours

Top 3 Jiuxiang Cave tours chosen by most customers to explore Jiuxiang Cave in the best way. Check the detailed itinerary, or tailor your own trip now with us. We provide some tour routes for tourists to choose.

1 Day Kunming Stone Forest Tour with Jiuxiang Cave
4 Days Best Kunming City Tour with The Stone Forest

Travel Tips: 

1. Tourists should take enough clothes since they may get wet in boats when they visit the karst caves and the gorges. 2. Visitors can spend their time watching folk songs and dance or tasting local food, which are interesting.

Nearby Attractions

Yangzonghai Lake Scenic Spot and Little White Dragon Forest Park are not far from Jiuxiang Scenic Spot. Tourists can take buses at the gate of the Jiuxiang to go there.

The Mount Gaoligong flying squirrel (Biswamoyopterus gaoligongensis云南鼯鼠,云南大鼯鼠,云南飞鼠) is a species of large, arboreal flying squirrel endemic to highland forests in southwestern China.

Overview of Kunming Botanical Garden

Kunming Botanical Garden (KBG) was established in 1938. It is affiliated to the Kunming Institute of Botany under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It has an area of 44 hectares. The Garden is a comprehensive institution with the main task of ex-situ conserving and sustainably utilising the rare and endangered plants, endemic taxa, and economically important plant species in the Hengduan Mountains and in the Yunnan Plateau. The Camellia Garden is one the oldest and most important specialized gardens within KBG.

In the wider KBG landscape we have 13 other specialised gardens which include: YUESAI Rhododendron Garden, Rock Garden, Monocotyledons, Medicinal Herbs, Magnolias, Arboretum, Gymnosperm Plants, Ornamental Fruits and Foliage, Endangered Plants Section, Sweetgum Avenue, Glasshouses, Rosaceae Section and the Begonia Collection. You could see many “3E” plants (Endemic, Endangered and of Economic Importance) in KBG. The Sweetgum Avenue is the main attraction in the Autumn.

Camellias of Kunming Botanical Garden (Highlights)

Around 8000 individuals of 1025 taxa (78 species and 1000 cultivars) in the genus Camellia are now displayed in KBG. The species C.reticulata is the city flower of Kunming. The most important scenic area is the beautiful forest of 800 trees of C.reticulata many of which are more than 70 years old in this large area. These plants are in full bloom during the Chinese New Year and this ensures that the Camellia Garden is a colourful and exciting place for celebrating this special holiday. The golden camellia collection is another important feature in KBG which has 30 species with yellow flowers. The Camellia garden has several collections with special theme: the Reticulata Zone,the Japonica Zone, the Sasanqua Zone, the Wild Species Zone, Camellia Greenhouse and the International Camellia Garden of Friendship set up in 1984, where camellias were planted by some 40 members of the ICS in four areas: Asia, Europe, N. America and Australasia.

Main Attractions in Kunming Botanical Garden

The park is divided into two parks: East and West. It has been built into Mountain and Tea Garden, Rock Garden, Bamboo Garden, Yuxi Rhododendron Garden, Leaf View Orchard, Baicao Garden, Magnolia Garden, witch hazel orchard, very small population plant orchard, gymnosperms and other 15 special types of gardens (regions).

Theme Gardens of Kunming Botanical Garden

1. Camellia Garden: It covers 150 Mu (Chinese acres), it has been planted with more than 15,000 camellia trees of 200 kinds, including Camellia reticulate, Camellia japonica, Camellia sasanqua, and Camellia nitidissima, etc.  
2. Azalea Garden: There are nearly 10,000 azalea trees of 100 kinds including Rhododendron simsii, Rhododendron delavayi, and Rhododendron irroratum Franch, etc.
3. Greenhouse Area Greenhouse Area: It includes halls of Orchids, Foliage plants, Begonia, Tropical Plants, Palm tree, Cactus, and Succulent plants, etc.
4. Arbor Trees Area Arbor Area: It includes Magnolia Garden, Rosaceae Garden, and Bamboo Garden etc. rare plants inside are delavay magnolia, michelia chartacea, Manglietia insgnis, and Magnolia campbellii, etc.  
5. Ferns Garden: Ferns Garden covers 50 Mu. There are nearly 400 kinds of ferns planted with it including tree fern, brake fern, Cheilosoria hancockii (lip fern), adiantum, Coniogramme intermedia, Allantodia megaphylla, Cyclosorus interruptus, and Asplenium ensiforme (sword-leaved spleenwort), etc.

Cultural Activity

Popular Science Activities: Planning and holding “Small Microfamily of the Botanical World” of High School Science Camp, “Finding Plant Baby” of Parent-child Science Popularization activities, “Re-understanding Botanical Gardens”, “where to go in summer” and “Botanical Garden at Night” and other special theme science popularization activities have been more than 50 times

Value of Kunming Botanical Garden

Scientific Research Value

Kunming Botanical Garden is mainly concerned with the introduction and conservation of rare and endangered plants, endemic groups and important economic plants in Yunnan Plateau and the southern tip of Hengduan Mountain, and the introduction and domestication of resource plants and the protection of germplasm resources.

Since the establishment of the park, it has received more than 40 awards at the provincial and ministerial levels, published more than 600 papers, more than 50 patents authorized to invent, registered more than 100 new plant varieties, and published more than 60 monographs.

Educational Value

Since 2012, Kunming Botanical Garden has successfully undertaken four training courses on Garden Horticulture and Landscape Construction of the Chinese Botanical Garden Association. A total of 100 students from 40 botanical gardens and related units in the country have been trained in advanced garden gardening, and 12 excellent students have been sent to the Royal Botanical Garden in Edinburgh for further study and improvement.

The Honors of Kunming Botanical Garden

The Kunming Botanical Garden has been named “National Science Popularization Education Base”, “Yunnan Province Science Popularization Education Base”, “National Youth entering the Science and Technology World demonstration Base”, “National Youth Science and Technology Education Base”, Kunming Science Popularization Base, etc., Mountain Tea Garden won the title of “International Outstanding Tea Garden”. [1] won the excellent national science popularization education base of 2016. Awarded the “2011 Kunming City Science Popularization Base” title.

Related Institute

Kunming Institute of Botany (昆明植物研究所)

Kunming Institute of Botany is a research institution in the field of Botany, which is located in Kunming. The Institute is one of the major herbariums in China and maintains a collection of over 1,000,000 specimens of plant. There are also over 200,000 specimens of fungi, lichens, and mosses, many of which were donated by mycologist Mu Zang.

The Institute also has a botanical garden. Currently there are around 5,000 species of vascular plants in the botanical garden. There are several sections, with specific collections, such as: Arboretum, Collection of herbs, Endangered species and rare species, Aquatic species, Gardens of specimens of the genus Camellia, Magnolia, and Begonia, Ferns.

All the plants that are hosted in the botanical garden are a foundation on which to work, for the research and experience of the staff of scientists at the Institute. Studies are conducted to improve the cultivation of plants of economic interest, with a view to better use, both nutritionally and industrially. Currently a digital database of the botanical garden is being prepared, as well as of wild plants in the province of Yunnan.

How to Get there?

By Bus 

1.Take bus No. 9, 79, 128, 159, 249 directly to north gate station of Kunming botanical garden or Heilongjiang Pool station about 8 minutes walk to east garden of botanical garden.
2.Take bus No. 115 to Ciba Terminal, then walk about 15 minutes to the north gate of Kunming Botanical Garden.

Self-driving

Drive from the center of Kunming city along Longquan road for about 30 minutes to the north gate of Kunming Botanical Garden.

Travel Tips

1. Disabled persons, people over 70 years old (including) and children below 1.2 meters in height are free of charge; 2. Retired cadres can go with one person free of charge;
3. Active serviceman, 60-69 years old and the student group may purchase the discount ticket to enter the park;
4. Group visitors buy a full fare of 16 free 1.

Why is Daguan Pavilion Park so special?

In 1682 a monk named Qianyin built a small temple here to teach Buddhist dharma; eight years later, that’s in 1690, the official of Yunnan Province, Wang Jiwen, was so attracted by the beautiful natural views here, began to construct a whole park including halls, pavilions, bonsais, rockeries, trees and terraces. Grand View Tower has been an attraction ever since with the most visited spot being Daguan Park.

Introduction 

The History of Daguan Pavilion Park

In 1696, Wang Jiwen, the governor of Yunnan, carried out a largescale construction of a two-story pavilion. Ponds were dug, embankments were constructed, and trees and flowers were planted. With a good view of the waters and hills in the distance, and the sailing boats and trees in mist, the pavilion was titled Daguan (“Grand View”) pavilion. In the later years, the Daguan pavilion had twice been reduced to ruins by warfare and flood. In 1883, Chen Yuying, governor of Yunnan and Guizhou Provinces, ordered Monk Xingtian to take charge of the renovation of the pavilion, and the pavilion has remained intact ever since.

Since the Daguan pavilion was built, men of letters coming from far and near in the country have often gathered here, composing and reciting poems. During the past two to three hundred years, many excellent works and poems have been created. Among them, the Long Couplet written by Sun Rangweng has for many years enjoyed the highest reputation around the world. Daguan Park has become famous due to Sun Rangweng’s Long Couplet.

The Structure of Daguan Park

Like many other Chinese ancient buildings, Daguan Pavilion also had been in disarray, destroyed and restored several times because of the dynastic changes and the civil wars. The present-day square, three-storied pavilion was established in 1883. At the entrance there is the longest antithetical couplet which was written by a famous Qing Dynasty scholar named Sun Ranweng (also called Sun Ran); this couplet of 180 characters is one of the most valued cultural treasures in Yunnan Province. The first part of the couplet describes the beautiful and magnificent natural views before your sight, tell people to enjoy and treasure. The second part reviews the 2000 years’ history of Yunnan,awakens to that no matter how successful or frustrated you are, all will be in nothingness in the end.

About Naigu Stone Forest

In the Naigu Stone Forest, oddly-shaped stones in dark shadow pierce into the sky like angry waves, with full of power and grandeur, or stand there like frightening ancient battle fields, which may arouse visitors’ all kinds of thoughts and imaginations. Some precipices are hundreds of meters high, as flat as knife-cut, some stone posts pierce into the sky, some are as big as mounds, some are like Zhuge Liang’s Eight Diagram Formations, or ‘Taishang Laojun in front of a pill oven’, or a castle, mushroom, elephant, field, pig and goat, etc.

The Name of “Naigu”

“Naigu” means old and black in the Sani language of the Yi People. It is about 10 kilometers from the Big Stone Forest and covers an area of 10 square kilometers, which is composed of the east area, west area, Baiyun Lake, Baiyun Cave and ancient battlefield, etc.

Legend & Minority Culture 

Story about Ashima

Many beautiful legends originate in this magical place, passed along by  the native people known as Sani, a branch of the Yi ethnic group. One particular story about the faithful love of Ashima, a beautiful, clever and warm-hearted Sani girl, is the most popular and has been told for thousands of years. As the legend goes, Ashima was kidnapped by an lanlord’s son and forced into marriage. Her lover, Ahei, made every effort to save her. However, on the way home, Ashima was swept away by a flood and turned into what is known as the Ashima Rock, which can be found in the Minor Stone Forest. Her passion and perseverance for freedom and true love still encourage today’s Sani people.

Torch Festival of Sani People

The Sani people celebrate their national festival – the Torch Festival – every lunar year on June 24. They take part in traditional performances such as wrestling, bull fighting, pole-climbing, dragon-playing, lion-dancing and the A-xi Moon Dance. During this time, the Stone Forest is alive with a particular0ve atmosphere, making the area even more attractive than usual.

Attractions in Naigu Stone Forest

The rocks are ancient, simple and black, giving visitors a feeling of mystery and vastness under such a mysterious atmosphere. In the scenic area, there is an exotic and beautiful underground cave, which is called white cloud cave or crystal palace, and is belonged to underground lava topography.

The scenes inside are of different kind of shapes, such as terraced paddies, peasants’ cottages, and animals and plants. Some can produce chimes with percussion. At the bottom of the mountain is the White Cloud Lake which is extraordinarily tranquil.

Nearby Attractions

● Minor Stone Forest(小石林）

The Minor Stone Forest is also call Ashima Scenic Area. The big and thick stone walls like a screen deliver this scenic area into several parts. Of all, the most famous scenic spot is ‘Ashima’. When the night comes, it is colorful and charming under the glittering lights.

● Major Stone Forest（大石林）

The Major Stone Forest consists of intensive stone peaks, just like a stretch of stone basin. The stone forests here have straight shapes and smooth lines, among which the highest stone pillar is more than 40 meters in height.The magnificent, strange, and steep landscape creates countless sights, including Lotus Peak, Ashima Rock, Sword Peak Pond, Shilin Lake, and ‘a Gleam of Sky’.

● Long Lake (长湖)

Long Lake is a karst lake that is three kilometers (two miles) long but only 300 meters wide. The lake features underwater stalagmites and stalactites and a small island in the center of the water.The source of the Dadie Waterfall, Ba River, is a branch of Nanpan River. In the rainy season, up to 150 cubic meters (196 cubic yards) of water per square inch plummet down the 88 meter (288 feet) drop.

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Why is Jiuxiang Cave so special? Jiuxiang Cave has about a hundred karst caves and the most wonderful in-cave scenes in China. The caves in Jiuxiang fall into 4...

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• Caves
• Kunming
• Valleys and Canyons
• Yiliang County (Kunming)

Mount Gaoligong Flying Squirrel

The Mount Gaoligong flying squirrel (Biswamoyopterus gaoligongensis云南鼯鼠,云南大鼯鼠,云南飞鼠) is a species of large, arboreal flying squirrel endemic to highland forests in southwestern China. Introduction: The Mount Gaoligong flying squirrel is a la...

Birds in Yunnan    Veiw

• Baihualing
• Baoshan
• Gaoli Gongshan Birding Tours
• Longyang District
• Tengchong

Kunming Botanical Garden

Overview of Kunming Botanical Garden Kunming Botanical Garden (KBG) was established in 1938. It is affiliated to the Kunming Institute of Botany under the Chinese Academy of Sciences. It has...

Attractions    Veiw

• Gardens
• Kunming
• Panlong District
• Places for Flowers Tours

Daguan Park, Kunming

Why is Daguan Pavilion Park so special? In 1682 a monk named Qianyin built a small temple here to teach Buddhist dharma; eight years later, that’s in 1690, the...

Attractions    Veiw

• Dianchi Lake Scenic Area
• Kunming
• Parks in Kunming
• Places for Birding Tours
• Xishan District

Naigu Stone Forest, Kunming

About Naigu Stone Forest In the Naigu Stone Forest, oddly-shaped stones in dark shadow pierce into the sky like angry waves, with full of power and grandeur, or stand...

Attractions    Veiw

• Kunming
• Shilin County
• Stone Forest

Tips Before Travel

Bring copies of your passport

Don't assume you're restricted to the main hubs of Beijing and Shanghai, our tours can start from any city.

Register with your embassy

For your safety, please register with the Embassy.

Always have local cash

Exchange some local currency for your trip

Our Team

Fenggu Yingshan Tea House and Tea Culture Learning Lijiang Charlie Lee-General Manager of Yaso Travel and Xilinshan Tea Company Leon Liu-Network Engineer of Trans Asia Discovery Vincent Zhao-French Market and the Founder of VoyagesYunnan.com Gary Elliot-Shareholder of Trans Asia Discovery Michael Huang-Excellent French and English-speaking Tour Guide in Yunnan Stephane-Volunteer of Yaso Travel David Yao-Lijiang Tour Operator of Yunnan Exploration Cindy Cao-Yunnan Tour Operator Xilinshan Tea House (Kunming, Yunnan) Rachel Nan-China Tour Operator Lydia Li-The Founder of Yunnan Exploration Anna Chen-Yunnan Tour Operator Kelly Yu-Yunnan Travel Consultant Cloudy Fu-Website Editor of Yunnan Exploration Cuiyuan Yang Skye Zhang-website editor of Yunnan Exploration

Customize a Trip

Start planning your tailor-made holiday to China by contacting one of our specialists. Once enquired, you’ll get a response within 0.5~23.5 hours.

Customize a Trip

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Address: Building 4, Yifuyuan, Hehong Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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