Things to do in Kunming

Although parts of Kunming are industrial and unattractive, its dramatic setting among limestone hills makes it special. Its tourist attractions are varied and impressive. Jiuxiang Scenic Area tops many travel itineraries and is packed with enough natural phenomena to easily occupy visitors for a day or more. Jiuxiang has a magical subterranean world made up of more than 100 caves, as well as cliff paintings that date back to the Qin and Han dynasties. It also has several waterfalls and 'stone forests': striking limestone formations eroded over centuries to look like frozen trees. The Stone Forest of Shilin has the most impressive examples of these rather eerie formations.

Travellers who want to venture off the beaten track should head to the Dongchuan Red Land in Huashitou Country. Although the area's lack of infrastructure can make travel less comfortable, the landscapes are unspoilt, colourful and startlingly beautiful.

Yuantong Temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kunming. This active, beautiful Buddhist temple's history spans over 1 000 years. Green Lake is a popular park and lakeside area for relaxation, exercise and leisurely strolls. Kunming also has many malls, cinemas, shopping streets and entertainment complexes.

Stone Forest photo

Stone Forest

The Stone Forest of Shilin is a breathtaking and eerie landscape. The limestone pillars and stalagmites poking out of the green hillsides look like petrified trees, with rock forma…

Stone Forest

The Stone Forest of Shilin is a breathtaking and eerie landscape. The limestone pillars and stalagmites poking out of the green hillsides look like petrified trees, with rock formations believed to be over 270 million years old and formed by the slow erosion of time. The Shilin National Scenic Area includes seven areas: the Greater and Lesser Stone Forests (also called Lizijing Stone Forest), Naigu Stone Forest, Zhiyun Cave, Lake Chang, Lake Yue, Dadie Waterfall and Qifeng Cave. The Naigu Stone Forest and Suogeyi Village, also within the scenic area, are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visitors can avoid the masses by going in the morning or early evening, and avoiding weekends and Chinese public holidays. They might even catch one of the few guides who can speak English.

Jiuxiang Scenic Area photo

Jiuxiang Scenic Area

The Jiuxiang Scenic Area near Kunming is a breathtaking cave complex and the largest in China. Stone forests of karst limestone are littered throughout, with lush forests and under…

Jiuxiang Scenic Area

The Jiuxiang Scenic Area near Kunming is a breathtaking cave complex and the largest in China. Stone forests of karst limestone are littered throughout, with lush forests and underground waterfalls common in this subterranean world. Jiuxiang is also the home of the aboriginal Yi people and the excavated Yi cliff paintings of the Qin (221 BC to 206 BC) and Han (206 BC to 220 AD) dynasties. Yi customs and culture are still evident today in the many legends and folk stories. These are brought to life in the magical underground universe of Jiuxiang, which includes more than a hundred caves, as well as bridges, valleys and rivers.

Yuantong Temple photo

Yuantong Temple

The ancient Yuantong Temple is easily one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kunming. The 8th-century temple is situated in a natural depression at the foot of Yuantong Hil…

Yuantong Temple

The ancient Yuantong Temple is easily one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kunming. The 8th-century temple is situated in a natural depression at the foot of Yuantong Hill, showcasing an interesting mixture of architectural styles from the Yuan and Ming dynasties. It should be remembered that it's still an active temple, where visitors can hear chanting and classes being conducted as they explore beside the monks and pilgrims.

For a remarkable, panoramic view of the temple complex, travellers can climb Yuantong Hill by taking one of the stone staircases carved into the mountain on either side of the main hall. These stairways boast the most ancient inscriptions in Kunming, carved into the stone wall and still readable after centuries of exposure to the weather. There are also some impressive statues and carvings within the temple, such as the two ferocious dragons carved into the pillars, while the lovely scenic area of Green Lake is a 10-minute walk away.