When it comes to Kunming, the well-known poetic line seems to echo in our ears once again: “Spring City, where flowers fly everywhere.” Here, flower appreciation becomes a life’s pleasure, a daily ritual.
Especially the Jacaranda mimosifolia, like a purple ocean, sweeping through every street of Kunming, becoming the most brilliant calling card of this city.
In Kunming, this “sea” can be any color. As the spring breeze blows, April in Kunming ushers in its most dazzling moment. Jiaochang Middle Road, Hongjin Road, Beijing Road, Dianchi Road… every place is covered with blue-purple flowers, as if immersed in a dreamlike world.
And the “seas” of Kunming can also be pink, permeated with the fragrance of cherry blossoms and crab apple flowers;
They can be yellow, with sunflower oceans intoxicating people in the memories of summer;
They can also be colorful, with hydrangeas in full bloom, exuding a lovely aura.
These “seas” have never had a blank period. In autumn, the delicate yet not dry chrysanthemum sea blooms;
In the cold winter, the proudly cold and beautiful plum blossom sea blooms alone.
Kunming, a city where the flower seas never wither.
It is such a Kunming that has been hailed as “the most suitable provincial capital city for retirement.”
As Yunnan’s “mega-city,” Kunming maintains a high quality of life while developing its economy. It has repeatedly topped the list of “Top 10 Most Livable Cities in China,” attracting countless people’s attention.
Here, there is no scorching summer or severe winter, and it’s like spring all year round. Such superior conditions not only make the older generation eager, but also attract countless young people to come. Kunming, a city full of vitality and hope.
When mentioning Yunnan, perhaps the first thing that comes to many people’s minds is Erhai Lake. However, Kunming’s Dianchi Lake is equally dazzling, on par with Erhai.
This lake, known as the “Pearl of Yunnan,” is like a brilliant gem inlaid in the southwest land. Twelve water systems, like twelve ribbons, converge here, weaving together this clear-bottomed largest lake in the southwest.
Setting foot on Dianchi Lake is like walking into a small station of life.
There’s no need to rush, just sit quietly and let the clouds roll and the wind come and go. The clouds here seem to have gained souls, dancing gracefully in the sky, poetic and picturesque, stunningly beautiful.
If you visit in winter, you will have the fortune to witness a feast of nature and birds.
In late November each year, thousands of red-billed gulls fly from far-off Siberia. They play and forage here, spending wonderful times with couples and tourists on the shore. If you love these little elves, why not buy some food and share the joyful moments with them?
Daguan Park, located north of Dianchi Lake, is a spiritual haven for Kunming people. The park is built along the water, with lake embankments, lotus ponds, pavilions, and towers interspersed, each spot exuding a strong sense of elegance.
The morning sunlight filters through the gaps between the leaves, casting mottled light and shadows. A few lake birds skim lightly over the water surface, flying into the distance.
The Daguan Tower in the park has even more profound historical heritage. Standing on the tower and looking out at the Western Hills and Dianchi Lake, it’s as if you’ve traveled through time and space, appreciating the beautiful scenery with the ancients.
Cuihu Lake was originally a bay of Dianchi Lake, and now it has become an independent clear lake.
It’s like an emerald green gem in the city of Kunming, inlaid in the green fields, shining brightly.
Entering the park from the southeast gate, you can closely admire the charm of summer lotuses. Patches of lotus leaves hold up gorgeous lotus flowers, floating on the lake surface, like a vivid painting scroll. Reclining on a lakeside bench in the warm sun, feeling the tranquility of time, has a unique flavor.
If you want to find a good place to watch the sunset, Haiyan Village will be your best choice. This ancient fishing village, full of history, still retains the style of Qing Dynasty civilian residences.
When the sun sets in the west, golden sunlight floods the village, and the cloud layers leave just the right amount of blank space in the sky, forming a stunning picture scroll.
People stand on the shore or boardwalk, immersed in the beautiful scenery, as if they have become part of the painting themselves.
And Haihong Wetland is a secret realm that makes one’s heart flutter. The bald cypress forest here is lush and flourishing, forming green tunnels.
Riding a bamboo raft through the forest, ripples are stirred on the water surface, and the reflections of the trees also come alive on the water. The beauty here cannot be described in words, only felt and experienced with the heart.
When mentioning Kunming, perhaps you only associate it with the mild climate, but the beauty here goes far beyond that.
Kunming has a unique, world-class scenic spot that echoes the distant Brazilian red earth, like dazzling pearls at opposite ends of the Earth. The Dongchuan Red Land here is a masterpiece of iron deposits over thousands of years, and the local people’s diligent cultivation has given it a unique charm.
Standing on high ground, the mountains and fields are like a palette, with patches of different reds intertwined, as if sculpted by nature’s masterful hand.
Clouds dance among the fields, light and shadow shift, making this land even more colorful. The silhouettes of people working in the mountains also seem to have become works of art on this land.
Let’s talk about the Stone Forest. It’s like a museum of karst geological landforms, gathering all the world’s karst wonders.
The Grand Stone Forest Scenic Area is like a magnificent scroll painting. Standing on the Wangfeng Pavilion, the entire scenic area’s stone forest is in full view; the Small Stone Forest appears even more beautiful, with the graceful Ashima standing by the clear pool, as if still waiting for her Ahei to return.
“See the Stone Forest above ground, tour Jiuxiang underground.” Under the fame of the Stone Forest, Jiuxiang appears low-key and mysterious.
But when you truly step into this mysterious realm that developed 600 million years ago, you will be shocked by the sight before your eyes. Strangely shaped rocks, intricate mazes, deep dark canyons, roaring waterfalls…
Every spot is astonishing and makes one unconsciously tread carefully, as if afraid to disturb this ancient and mysterious land.
Kunming, the charm of this city is like a delicate scroll painting. The scenery is intoxicating, and the food is enough to make taste buds dance.
Kunming, located in an advantageous geographical position, has given the people here an almost picky taste for food.
From tender spring bamboo shoots to wild vegetables, to various types of mushrooms, nature’s gifts make the “freshness” on this land so abundant that it’s dazzling.
This rich food resource has nurtured Kunming people’s unique pursuit and creativity for delicacies. Among them, rice noodles are undoubtedly the pride of this city. Here, rice noodles are not just a simple food, but a symbol of culture.
From the beloved small pot rice noodles to tofu pudding rice noodles, stinky tofu jar rice noodles, leaf-wrapped rice noodles, cold rice noodles… each has its unique charm.
And besides rice noodles, there is another staple food unique to Kunming—Erkuai. This delicacy, made from processed rice, whether in chunks, shreds, or slices, can be boiled, stir-fried, roasted, braised, fried, or steamed, and each cooking method is unforgettable.
Of course, Kunming’s delicacies are far more than these. The freshness of steamed chicken, the crispiness of fried potatoes, the sweetness of flower pastries… each dish makes one linger.
In Kunming, people often say, “There’s no need to travel out of the city at all, because here there are endless scenery and delicacies.”
Enjoy spring, tour the lake, just a ten-minute drive away to reach the most beautiful scenery. On weekends, why not walk into ancient towns, enjoy slow time, and feel the tranquility of the years.
Here, giving yourself a bouquet of fresh flowers is as natural as drinking water and eating meals. Even just walking on the streets and alleys, it’s as if you’re in a beautiful painting.
Kunming, it’s close to the city, yet far from the hustle and bustle. Here, there is beautiful scenery, delicious food, slow time, and endless comfort and tranquility. Who wouldn’t be moved by it?
