Xihua Wetland Park in Kunming

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Xihua Wetland Park (西华湿地公园) is located on the western shore of Dianchi Lake (滇池), at the foot of Guanyin Mountain (观音山). Covering an area of approximately 781 acres, the park includes 281 acres of ecological wetland. It is home to 1,225 trees, including willows (柳树), Yunnan camphor trees (滇朴), and peach trees (桃树), as well as over 250,000 clumps of aquatic plants. Xihua Wetland Park is a beautiful and tranquil place that photography enthusiasts should not miss. To appreciate the beauty of nature, one must possess the eyes to discover and capture beautiful moments. The scenery of Xihua Wetland retains a simple style, akin to a precious gem, pleasing to both the eyes and the heart. Each plant and tree grows freely, devoid of the uniform layout typically seen in gardens, offering only the simplicity of a natural environment. When you cannot experience nature’s original state in the city, venture further to let your eyes savor the vibrant landscapes of the wetland.

Directions

Self-Driving Route:

Starting from Xishan District (西山区):

• Enter Xingyuan Road (兴苑路) and drive for about 480 meters.
• Turn right onto the Second Ring West Road (二环西路) and drive approximately 80 meters.
• Head towards the Second Ring Expressway (A Line) and Mingbo Interchange, then slightly turn right.
• Drive for about 220 meters, then continue on Second Ring West Road for about 440 meters, turning right towards Anning (安宁).
• Enter G56 from the Mingbo Interchange entrance and drive 6.4 kilometers.
• Continue to Gaogao Interchange (高峣立交桥) and follow the G56 Expressway to Xihua Wetland Park.

📍 Location & Getting There

Nestled near County Road Z111 in Xishan District (西山区), right on the western banks of Dianchi Lake (滇池), this peaceful wetland park is just a short escape from downtown Kunming.
🚗 By Car: From Dianchi Road, hop onto the Gao Hai Expressway — it’s about a half-hour drive. Nearby farm-style restaurants offer parking for a small daily fee.
🚌 By Bus: Take route C26 and hop off at Guliancun (古莲村) or other nearby stops, then walk to the park.

🌳 Natural Highlights

A Living Wetland Forest

With lush willows (柳树), fragrant Chinese hackberry (滇朴), and delicate peach trees (桃树), the park is a layered ecosystem of tall trees, shrubs, and water plants. Vast reed beds and the striking red-brown Chinese swamp cypress (中山杉) create an enchanting seasonal palette.

Birdwatching Paradise 🕊️

From wintering red-billed gulls (红嘴鸥) to elegant egrets (白鹭) and cormorants (鸬鹚), the park is a safe haven for many bird species. It’s especially magical to visit at dawn or dusk when the flocks are most active.

Boardwalk Through Nature 🌾

A winding boardwalk takes you deep into the wetlands, where you can stroll under rust-colored cypress canopies, past whispering reeds, and toward sweeping lake views.

The Sky Bridge Viewpoint 🌅

Just a short walk from the entrance, this elevated bridge offers one of the best panoramas of where Dianchi’s waters blend seamlessly into the wetlands — a perfect selfie spot!

🛎️ Visitor Tips

• Opening Hours: Open year-round, all day.

• Admission: Free.

• Best Time to Visit: Any season — enjoy summer’s floral scents or winter’s migratory birds.

• Suggested Duration: Around two hours for a relaxed visit.

• Safety: Facilities are minimal — go with friends, stay on main paths, and avoid entering the water.

🌟 Why You’ll Love It

West Shore Wetland Park is where Dianchi Lake’s calm waters meet the wild beauty of untouched marshland. Whether you’re here for the birds, the breeze, or the views, this is a slice of Kunming nature you’ll want to keep coming back to.

Overview of Attractions:

Departing from Dianchi Road and heading towards the exit of Gao Hai Expressway, it takes about half an hour by car. There are no nearby bus stops, so driving is the ideal mode of transportation. The park is characterized by dense reeds, secluded boardwalks, the sounds of seabirds, and the movement of wind and waves. The beauty of the lake and mountains is boundless.

Through the planting of more than 27,000 upright and aesthetically pleasing water-loving trees like Chinese fir, which efficiently absorb nitrogen and phosphorus from the water, Xihua Wetland Park has truly become a wetland forest park with a three-dimensional structure of trees, shrubs, and grasses. In recent years, guided by the principles of “pollution interception outside the lake, dredging inside the lake, water transfer from external areas, and ecological restoration,” the Xishan District Committee and Government have prioritized lakeside ecological restoration as the foundation of Dianchi Lake’s management, striving to preserve the original environment to the greatest extent possible, even allowing wild grasses to grow naturally along the boardwalk.

Address: Next to Gao Hai Expressway (near Dianchi Lake).