Kunming is the capital and largest city in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. Known as Yunnan-Fu (云南府) until the 1920s, today it is a prefecture-level city and the political, economic, communications and cultural centre of the province as well as the seat of the provincial government. Kunming is also called the Spring city due to its weather. The headquarters of many of Yunnan's large businesses are in Kunming.

‣ Where is Kunming

Kunming is located in east-central Yunnan Province. It is located between north latitude 24°23´ and 26°22´N, and east longitude 102°10´and 103°40´E, with a total area of 21,600 square km. 

Kunming is close to Dianchi Lake in the south, surrounded on three sides by mountains and faces the Dianchi Lake plain. Kunming is the forefront and the portal that China facing Southeast Asia, South Asia and even the Middle East, of southern Europe and Africa. It has unique location advantage of connecting Guizhou-Guangxi to the coast in the east, passing through Sichuan and Chongqing into the central plains in the north, reaching Thailand and Cambodia via Vietnam and Laos in the south, and connecting Myanmar, India and Pakistan in the west.

‣ Basic Information of Kunming

● Chinese Name:昆明

● Key Words:Spring City

● Kunming Altitude:1,900 meters

● Kunming Population: 6,626,000

● Kunming Average Temperature:15°C (59°F)

‣ Kunming Climate

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).

‣ Administrative Division of Kunming

Kunming has jurisdiction over 14 subdivisions; six districts, one county-level city, four counties and three autonomous counties: Panlong District(盘龙区),Wuhua District(五华区),Guandu District(官渡区),Xishan District(西山区),Chenggong District(呈贡区),Dongchuan District(东川区), Shilin Yi Autonomous County(石林彝族自治县),etc.

‣ What to See in Kunming

Kunming is a hot spot in the national top ten tourist cities, the first excellent tourism city in China. There are many cultural relics in Kunming, like the Stone Forest, Dianchi Lake, Anning Hot Spring, Jiuxiang, Yangzonghai Lake,Yunnan Ethnic Village and so on. It is a large comprehensive tourist zone with natural scenery, folk customs, and scientific research combined; and it's the spikiest karst landscape in the world.

▪ The Stone Forest

It is a large comprehensive tourist zone with natural scenery, folk customs, and scientific research combined; and it's the spikiest karst landscape in the world.

▪ The Western Hills

Western Hills boasts an excellent environment with flourishing flowers and dense forest, providing tourists an excellent environment to enjoy the tranquility and marvelous scenery.

▪ Dongchuan Red Soil

About 40 kilometers southwest of Kunming City. The Red Soil here spans hundreds of miles, which is the most typical, lumped and featured red land in Yunnan. 

‣‣‣ More Attractions in Kunming

‣ Minority Culture in Kunming

Kunming is a multi-ethnic city, there occupies 26 indigenous nationalities, forming inhabited villages or village street mixed Han, Yi, Hui, Bai, Miao, Hani, Zhuang, Dai, Lisu and other nationalities. In the long-term production and life, every ethnic group not only influences each other and they are thoroughly acquainted with each other and maintain their own national tradition, continue their unique lifestyle, folk custom and culture and art. Kunming ethnic compatriots are hospitality with simple folkway, whether it is the interpersonal etiquette, unique diet flavor, colorful costumes, or different styles of architecture can make people feel the distinctive national characteristics.

In many ethnic festivals, Yi minority "Torch Festival", Bai minority “March Fair” and “Raosanling”, Dai minority “Water-Sprinkling Festival”, Miao minority “Huashan Festival”, Lisu minority “Knifeladder-Climbing Festival” and so on that has long enjoyed a good reputation, rich and colorful. Every festival, the masses of all ethnic groups will put on their own handmade embroidery dyed system of national costumes, gathers from all directions to hold activities like wrestling, bull fighting,etc.

‣ What to Eat in Kunming

In Kunming, picturesque natural scenery enhances delicious local foods. Kunming dishes are representative of Dian (Yunnan Province) cuisine, which combines cooking styles of other cities and nationalities outside Kunming in Yunnan Province. With its high humidity and mild temperatures Kunming provides abundant fruits and vegetables all year for local cuisine. In addition, there are numerous snack options in high streets and back lanes.

‣ Recommended Kunming Hotels

As the capital city of Yunnan Province, Kunming has many International Hotels that caters to different demands. 

•Five-star Hotels:

▪Kunming Sofitel Hotel (昆明索菲特大酒店)

▪Crowne Plaza Kunming City Centre( 昆明中心皇冠假日酒店)

▪Intercontinental Kunming(昆明洲际酒店)

▪Four-star Hotels:

▪Kunming Wenhui Hotel(昆明文汇酒店)

▪Kunming Uchoice Hotel(昆明希桥酒店)

▪Three-star Hotels:

▪Enjoying International Hotel(昆明颐华国际商务酒店)

▪Kingworld International Hotel(云南锦华国际酒店)

‣ Kunming Transportation

Kunming has air connections with several Chinese and Southeast Asian cities. Kunming is served by Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG), which opened at 08:00 on 28 June 2012, replacing the older international airport, which was located 4–5 km (2.5–3.1 mi) southeast of central Kunming. Changshui is projected to be China's fourth largest airport and one of the world's top 80 airports. The new airport is expected to greatly increase the city's access to countries in SE Asia and S Asia. The airport is being constructed by Yunnan Airport Group.

‣ Kunming Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit Kunming

The yearly average temperature of Kunming is around 20 degrees centigrade. Famous as the 'Spring City', Kunming is suitable for visit all the year round.

• Consumption Level in Kunming

The consumption level in Kunming is not high compared to other cities in China. Accommodation, traffic and catering costs are not expensive but float greatly between slack season and busy season. Most of the expenses are spent on the tickets for scenic spot.