Kunming

Kunming is a city of 4 million plus in China’s oft-visited Yunnan Province. While the province has several gems of historical significance, there is plenty to be found in Kunming itself.

Kunming is a unique in that the traffic is not as chaotic as other Chinese cities of similar size. It is reasonable to rent a bicycle to get around town. Most guesthouses and tour agencies rent them, though people expecting to stay for a while might be better off purchasing one. Taxis are another viable option for transport. These are relatively cheap and, of course, warmer during the cool winters.

The Yunnan Provincial Museum is a good place to start, especially because most of the exhibits contain decent English translations (this is not always guaranteed in China, especially in far flung provinces). Some of the religious artifacts here date back over two millennia, and the exhibits are well designed.

Being near a mountainous region, several minority tribes are well represented in Kunming. There is an market in the city’s old quarter which is a good place to find souvenirs and handcrafts. As with other Chinese cities, development is happening at a rapid pace. While this generally means more economic opportunity, it also means that older urban areas are disappearing. This is more apparent in cities like Beijing, but is also occurring in medium sized cities like Kunming. The area around the market mentioned above is being pushed out by development. While the vendors will probably move elsewhere in town, the atmosphere of the old quarter will soon be bulldozed away forever. Therefore, any visit to Kunming should include a trip to the older areas of town.

The mellow atmosphere of Kunming is enhanced by several picturesque parks and placid lakes. Kunming Botanical Gardens is a good place to enjoy a stroll on a summer afternoon. Cuihu Lake Park is another relaxation space. Many students from the city’s university head to the park to enjoy the lake and its green surroundings. The Park of the Grand View Pavilion, located near Dianchi Lake is probably the best spot in town. The lake is scenic and the pavilion itself offers a top-notch view of the surrounding lake.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of Kunming is that it is centrally located in Yunnan. In addition to the sights and activities inside the city, the ancient town of Anning and the National Park known as The Stone Forest are both within striking distance of Kunming. You’d be hard pressed to find a more pleasant city to use as a base for exploring Yunnan Province.