Qicai Yunnan-Kunming South Asian Style First City

Kunming South Asian Style First City (南亚风情第壹城) is a large-scale development located in the core area of Dianchi Road in the southern part of Kunming. Its unique geographical location and expansive commercial space have made it a new landmark in the Dianchi Resort Area. The city’s design is heavily influenced by South Asian exotic styles, offering consumers a rich array of shopping choices. The “one-stop shopping, leisure, entertainment, and business” concept makes this complex a large urban integrated hub, combining shopping, dining, entertainment, leisure, tourism, and business.

Overview

Kunming South Asian Style First City is situated in the southern district of Kunming on Dianchi Road, an area known for its upscale residential buildings and proximity to the Dianchi National Tourism Resort and the Hongta Sports Center. This region is home to over 30 provincial-level administrative units, including the Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People’s Congress, Provincial Political Consultative Conference, Provincial Procuratorate, and Provincial High Court, as well as the headquarters of large corporate groups like Yunnan Tin Company (云天化). It has become the new political and economic core of Yunnan Province and is the primary hub for business, tourism, conferences, dining, and entertainment in Kunming.

The development covers a total area of 282.45 acres, with a construction area of 978,000 square meters, following the standards of an international modern urban commercial center. The project was developed by the Nordic Group (诺仕达集团) and is located adjacent to Dianchi Road, 1.8 km from the Second Ring Road, 300 meters from the Third Ring Road, and 900 meters from Guangfu Road. It is well-connected to the city’s light rail Line 5. The South Asia Road (南亚路), which runs through the base, links Dianchi Road, the Second and Third Ring Roads, and Guangfu Road, forming a convenient transportation network.

The area is strategically located, 7 km from Kunming Airport, 3 km from Kunming Railway Station, and 3 km from the Kunming Long-Distance Passenger Transport Center. It serves as a crossroads for the urban economic circle of Central Yunnan, covering a population of 1.52 million within a 5-km radius and over 6 million within a 30-minute drive.

Key Features:

Integrated Complex: It combines a commercial system, business system, apartments, residential areas, and urban public projects.

One-Stop Concept: Offering a one-stop experience for shopping, leisure, entertainment, and business, making it a modern urban commercial and business center.

High-End Facilities: The development integrates high-end commercial, business, residential, and eco-waterfront environments, providing a modern urban living experience.

The Architecture and Design

South Asian Style First City’s architectural design incorporates elements of South Asian culture, with towering structures and iconic symbols such as temple spires, elephants, and palm trees, creating a striking visual effect in Kunming’s Dianchi Road district. The city is home to an international business district, offering state-of-the-art office spaces, a 36-story office tower, and high-end residential properties with panoramic views of Dianchi Lake.

Transportation and Infrastructure

The development includes 276,000 square meters of underground space, featuring 38,000 square meters of underground malls and 4,700 parking spaces. It also includes 15 vehicle entrances and exits, ensuring smooth underground traffic flow. Additionally, the design incorporates a vertical transportation system, including elevators and escalators, offering a seamless experience for visitors and residents.

Green and Leisure Spaces

Ground-level green spaces are designed in a combination of points, lines, and surfaces, creating expansive green areas like the central square, riverside parks, and community gardens. The environment is designed to offer a rich and layered landscape experience, making it a prominent feature of the city’s urban aesthetics.

Development History

After years of careful planning, the South Asian Style First City opened in 2012, offering a blend of leisure, shopping, and entertainment, rapidly becoming a favorite among Kunming’s residents. However, as its fame grew, it began facing competition from other theme-based commercial developments. The key challenge for the city now is to maintain and enhance its core value amidst this increasing competition.

Commercial Model Innovation

In response to the growing competition, South Asian Style First City needs to continually innovate and adapt, incorporating new business models and marketing strategies to stay ahead. The city’s strategic positioning, along with the introduction of global commercial concepts, will be key in retaining its appeal.

Tenant Highlights

South Asian Style First City’s StreetMall area offers a trendy, youthful atmosphere with a variety of leisure and lifestyle options. Internationally recognized fast-food chains like McDonald’s, KFC, and Dairy Queen are part of the offering. The design incorporates fun zones like skateboarding and rock climbing areas, attracting energetic young crowds and fostering a dynamic, lively environment.

The Central Commercial Plaza

The South Asian Central Commercial Plaza is situated at the main entrance of South Asian Style First City, breaking the traditional shopping model by creating themed shopping streets connected by roads. This innovative design enhances the shopping experience, transforming shopping into a more relaxed and enjoyable activity.

Complete Guide to Dining and Shopping at Kunming South Asian Style First City

Kunming South Asian Style First City (昆明南亚风情第壹城) is a comprehensive commercial complex that combines shopping, dining, and leisure. It is located at the intersection of Dianchi Road (滇池路) and Yangjia Road (杨家路), featuring a rich variety of commercial spaces and unique experiences.

Food Recommendations

Bakery Workshop (面包工坊)

• Recommended: White Peach-filled Bread (白桃夹心面包) and Mango-filled Bread (芒果夹心面包), Animal Butter Sliced Bread (动物奶油黄油切片面包).

• Caution: The Fennel Bread (茴香小面包) might not be for everyone, so try it carefully.

Seafood Fried Rice (海鲜炒饭)

• Rich in ingredients, with pineapple (菠萝) and seafood (海鲜), it has an excellent taste.

Curry Crab (咖喱蟹)

• The rich curry flavor goes perfectly with bread, but I highly recommend mixing it with rice for an even better experience.

Lettuce-wrapped Beef (生菜包牛肉)

• Best enjoyed with rice for an amazing taste.

Civet Coffee (猫屎咖啡)

• A special coffee experience, perfect for a relaxing break.

Shopping Recommendations

StreetMall (中央休憩式商业街区)

• The first such commercial street in Yunnan, featuring leisure seating, dessert stations, and coffee bars. It’s perfect for both shopping and experiencing the atmosphere.

MUJI (无印良品)

• A great place to buy daily essentials and stationery.

Special Experiences

Bookstore (春晓书店)

• A haven for literature lovers with a wide selection of books to explore.

World Cup Themed Events (世界杯主题活动)

• Keep an eye on the mall’s updates for related events in March 2025.

Transportation

Metro Line 5, Fuhai Station C Exit (地铁5号线福海站C口), easily accessible to Kunming South Asian Style First City.

Dining Exploration Guide in Kunming South Asian Style First City

Food Recommendations

Signature Seafood Fried Rice (招牌海鲜炒饭)

• With rich ingredients like pineapple (菠萝) and seafood (海鲜), this dish is absolutely delicious.

Curry Crab (咖喱蟹)

• A rich curry flavor, best paired with bread for dipping. I recommend mixing it with rice for an even better experience— it’s so good you’ll want two bowls.

Green Papaya Salad (青木瓜沙拉)

• Spicy, so avoid if you can’t handle heat.

Tom Yum Soup (冬阴功汤)

• Authentic flavor and ingredients, offering a great Thai experience.

Lettuce-wrapped Beef (生菜包牛肉)

• The beef is perfect when mixed with rice.

Grilled Pork Neck Meat (炭烤猪颈肉)

• The pork didn’t stand out, so I wouldn’t recommend it.

Durian Pancake (榴莲薄饼)

• The durian flavor is faint; turning it into an Indian-style flatbread might make it better.

Water Spinach (空心菜)

• Just your typical water spinach, but still enjoyable.

Additional Tips

Street Food (小吃街):
I tried fatty intestine rice (肥肠饭) and rice noodles (饵丝). Though they looked good, the taste was average, and I couldn’t remember the names. For authentic Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles (过桥米线), visit Shangshunhao (尚顺号).
Since I was alone, I didn’t try too much. I bought a few pens at MUJI (无印良品) in Wanda Plaza (万达广场) before heading home.

Bookstore Visit (逛书店):
If you love books, don’t miss Chunxiao Bookstore (春晓书店), where you can discover various great titles.