As an underrated “hidden gem,” Kunming is proving its worth, offering not only a comfortable spring-like climate throughout the year but also stunning landscapes and a rich cultural heritage that spans thousands of years. Today, let’s discover Kunming’s magic — where natural wonders meet vibrant urban life, and poetry and distant dreams are part of everyday existence.

In Kunming, you glimpse the beauty of all Yunnan

If Yunnan is a photo album of landscapes, then Kunming is its “table of contents” — with Dianchi Lake as the cover, the Xishan as the spine, the Stone Forest as the textured first page, and the blue sky as the backdrop throughout.

Dianchi Lake: Kunming’s “Seaside Living Room”

Photo from Kunming Releases WeChat Official Account

Though situated on a plateau, Kunming residents enjoy a lifestyle reminiscent of seaside living, with the vast expanse of Dianchi Lake unfolding before them, boundless and magnificent. In winter, tens of thousands of black-headed gulls migrate from Siberia, gracefully circling above the lake. With just a bag of bird feed, visitors can find themselves surrounded by these lively birds in a fairytale moment.

The Stone Forest: A “Natural Sculpture Gallery” from 300 Million Years Ago

Photo provided by Yunnan Provincial Local Chronicles Compilation Committee Office

Just an hour’s drive from downtown, you can step into a fantasy world straight out of “Journey to the West”(a classic Chinese novel). Towering limestone pillars rise from the ground, shaped like swords, screens, and mythical beasts. The Sani people’s Torch Festival and the legend of "Ashima" breathe life and emotion into this stone forest.

Xishan’s “Sleeping Beauty” and Longmen’s “Flying Waterfalls”

Photo taken by Zhang Zhigang

Take the cable car up to Longmen on the Xishan, and gaze down at Dianchi Lake, shimmering like a jade gem nestled among the mountains. The Longmen Grottoes, carved into the sheer cliffs, and the ringing of the ancient bronze bell at Sanqing Pavilion echo the rituals of Taoist monks over 600 years ago.

In Kunming, You Soak in Culture

Kunming’s charm is found in old teahouses by Cuihu Lake, beneath the Vajra Pagoda in Guandu Ancient Town, and along the gingko-lined stone paths of Yunnan University.

Cuihu Lake: the "Heart" of Kunming

From Culture and Tourism of Kunming Official WeChat Account

In the early morning, locals briskly walk around the lake; in the afternoon, elderly residents gather on bamboo chairs to play chess; by evening, young people chase sunsets with their phones. This isn’t a tourist attraction — it’s a living showcase of everyday life in Kunming.

Guandu Ancient Town: A 600-Year Journey Through the World of Mortals

From Guandu Cultural Tourism Official WeChat Account

Beneath the grey tiles and brick walls stands the only existing Vajra Pagoda in China, while the bronze incense burner in front of Miaozhan Temple gleams from years of handling. Turn a corner, and you might encounter a grandmother grilling “milk fans” — rolling strips of cheese on bamboo sticks over charcoal until they turn caramel brown. This sweet and salty blend is a nostalgic taste for many Kunming locals.

Kunming Military Academy: A Landmark in Modern Chinese History

Photo from RedNote

Behind the pale yellow gates, revolutionary pioneers like Zhu De and Ye Jianying once walked. Today, young cadets dressed in yellow uniforms practice their drills on the parade ground, with sunlight filtering through century-old gingko leaves onto their shoulders. History and the present-day intertwine here.

In Kunming, You Can Take Your Time

Dounan Flower Market: 20 Yuan for a Bouquet of Romance

Photo from Kunming Releases Official WeChat Account

At 8 PM, Asia’s largest fresh flower auction market is ablaze with lights. Roses, lilies, and chrysanthemums are piled high, as vendors cheerfully hawk bouquets. Buying a bunch of flowers to take home creates a lightness in your step carried by their fragrance.

Nanqiang Street: A Feast of Yunnan Flavors

Photo from Yunnan Daily-Yun News

Crossing-the-bridge rice noodles, rose rice jelly, litsea pungens chicken feet… this historic street in the city center captures the essence of Yunnan’s culinary landscapes. Sitting by the roadside with a bowl of Muguashui (ice jelly) while waiting for tofu squares to crisp over charcoal — makes it feel like time has slowed down.

Photo from Kunming Releases Official WeChat Account

Kunming: A City You’ll Want to Visit Again and Again

Some are captivated by Kunming’s blue skies, some fall in love with its foods, and others linger for its rich history. But what truly keeps people longing for this city is its wisdom in “reconciling with nature and embracing life.” While other cities chase speed, Kunming people have long understood: the best journey is to become a local, measure the land with your footsteps, and beat your heart in sync with the city’s rhythm.

作为一座被低估的“宝藏城市”，昆明用实力证明：它不仅有四季如春的舒适气候，更有山河湖海的硬核颜值和千年沉淀的文化底蕴。今天，带你解锁这座城市的“神仙操作”——左手自然奇观，右手人间烟火，昆明把诗和远方过成了日常。

在昆明，窥见云南的美

如果云南是一本风光画册，昆明就是它的“目录页”——滇池是封面，西山是书脊，石林是扉页的肌理，而蓝天则是贯穿始终的底色。

滇池：昆明人的“海上客厅”

昆明人身居高原却“沿海”，这就是正所谓五百里滇池，奔来眼底，披襟岸帻，喜茫茫空阔无边。特别是冬季，成千上万的红嘴鸥从西伯利亚飞来，在湖面翻飞盘旋，游客只需用一袋鸥粮，就能收获被海鸥包围的童话瞬间。

石林：3亿年前的“大地雕塑馆”

离市区1小时车程，就能闯入《西游记》同款奇幻世界。石灰岩柱群拔地而起，形态各异如利剑、如屏风、如巨兽，彝族撒尼人的火把节和“阿诗玛”传说，更让这片石头森林有了“心跳”。

西山“睡美人”与“龙门飞瀑”

乘缆车登上西山龙门，俯瞰滇池如一块碧玉镶嵌在群山之间。峭壁上的“龙门石窟”顺着崖壁凿就，三清阁的铜钟在山谷回荡，仿佛能听见600年前道士们修炼时的晨钟暮鼓。

在昆明，沁润进文化里

昆明的魅力，藏在翠湖边的老茶馆里，藏在官渡古镇的金刚塔下，藏在云南大学银杏飘落的石板路上。

翠湖：昆明的“城市心脏”

清晨，本地人绕着翠湖快走；午后，老者在竹椅上摆开象棋残局；傍晚，年轻人举着手机追逐落日余晖。这里不是景点，却是昆明人生活的“显微镜”。

官渡古镇：穿越600年的烟火人间

青砖黛瓦下，藏着全国现存唯一一座“金刚宝座塔”，妙湛寺前的铜香炉被摸得锃亮。转角遇见烤乳扇的奶奶，用竹签卷着乳酪丝，在炭火上烤出焦糖色，甜咸交织的味道，是不少昆明人舌尖上的乡愁。

陆军讲武堂：中国近代史上重要的军事院校

淡黄色门楼后，走出了朱德、叶剑英等革命先驱。如今，穿黄呢制服的“讲武堂少年”在操场踢正步，阳光透过百年银杏叶洒在他们肩上，历史与现实在此重叠。

在昆明，时间会变得“很慢”

斗南花市：20块买一束浪漫

晚上8点，亚洲最大的鲜花拍卖市场灯火通明。玫瑰、百合、多头菊堆成小山，花农们举着花束吆喝着，买一束花回家的人，连脚步都跟着花香轻快起来。

南强街：舌尖上的“滇味江湖”

过桥米线、玫瑰米凉虾、木姜子鸡脚……这条市中心的老街，用食物封印了云南的山川风物。坐在路边喝一碗木瓜水，等待一块块豆腐渐渐焦黄鼓胀……时间仿佛被按下了0.5倍速。

昆明，一座来了就不断想来的城市

有人为昆明的蓝天着迷，有人为她的美食沦陷，有人为她的历史驻足。但真正让人留恋的，是这里“与自然和解，与生活相拥”的智慧。当其他城市在追逐速度时，昆明人早已懂得：最好的旅行，是把自己变成当地人，用脚步丈量土地，用心跳合拍城市的呼吸。