Located at an elevation of 1,890 metres (6,200 ft) on the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau with low latitude and high elevation, Kunming has one of the mildest climates in China, characterised by short, cool dry winters with mild days and crisp nights, and long, warm and humid summers, but much cooler than the lowlands. The weather never gets very hot in summer; the temperature has exceeded 30 °C (86 °F) only on a handful of occasions. However, freak snowfalls occur in occasional winters. Controlled by a subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cwb), the monthly 24-hour average temperature ranges from 8.1 °C (46.6 °F) in January to 19.9 °C (67.8 °F) in June, with daily high temperatures reaching their lowest point and peak in December and May, respectively. With its perpetual spring-like weather which provides the ideal climate for plants and flowers, Kunming is known as the "City of Eternal Spring". The city is covered with blossoms and lush vegetation all-year round. The period from May to October is the rainy season and the rest of the year is dry. The city has an annual mean temperature of 14.91 °C (58.8 °F), rainfall of 1,011 millimetres (39.8 in) (nearly three-fifths occurring from June to August) and a frost-free period of 230 days. With monthly percent possible sunshine ranging from 30% in July to 69 percent in February and March, the city receives 2,198 hours of bright sunshine annually. Extreme temperatures in the city have ranged from −7.8 to 32.3 °C (18 to 90 °F).

As one of the renowned histrical and cultural cities in China, Kunning is a hot tourist destination located near the southwest border of China. In the ancient times, Kunming which connected Sichuan, Yunnan, Tibet with Myanmar and India was an important city on the South Silk Road; at the same time, Kunming was the meeting point of the world renowned Nanshao Culture, Tufan Culture, Dongba Culture, Islamic Culture and Central Plains Culture.

The city is surrounded by mountains on three sides,leaving one side facing Dianchi Lake. The climate here is like spring all year round, with flowers in blossom in every season. Thus the city has been called "Spring City". Kunming is known for its rich tourist resources comprising beautiful natural scenery,magnificent countryside views and colourful folklore.