Kunming 昆明

Kunming, China
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kunming_13.JPG
Author: Brücke-Osteuropa


Kunming (昆明) is the provincial capital of Yunnan Province in southern China. The city is often known as City of Eternal Spring due to its year-round temperate climate. The city of Kunming has a population of 3 million people, in a metropolitan of about 5.7 million people. The medieval part of the city is surrounded by an old city wall.

The area where Kunming is located has been settled as early as 279 BC. Early settlements from the Neolithic age have been discovered on the edge of Lake Dianchi just outside the boundary of the city. In the 3rd century BC, the Dian Kingdom was founded by General Zhuang Qiao in present-day Kunming.

Downtown Kunming, at the main railway station
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Train_Station_Kunming_Yunnan_China_2008.jpg
Author: Jialiang Gao


Much of Yunnan came under Chinese control during the Han Dynasty (205 BC to AD 220). Under Emperor Wudi of Western Han, the Kunming region was called Yizhou Prefecture. It forms a link between Sichuan and Vietnam.

The city of Kunming was founded in AD 765. At that time, it was known as Tuodong, and it was the successor to the Kingdom of Dali. Following Mongol invasion (1252-1253), Kunming was made the capital of Yunnan in 1276. It grew as a trading center and was said to be visited by Marco Polo who described it as a fascinating place.

Huating Temple, Kunming
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Huating_Temple_02.JPG
Author: Brücke-Osteuropa


Following the defeat of the Mongols, Kunming came under the administration of the Ming Dynasty. That was when its medieval city walls were built. In the 17th century, even after the rest of China had falled under Manchu rule, Kunming continued to be a stronghold of the Ming rulers until the dealth of Ming General Wu Sangui in 1678.

Du Wenxiu, the Sultan of Dali, besieged Kunming between 1858 and 1868. By then most of its Buddhist sites have been razed.

Yuantong Temple, Kunming
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yuantong_Si.jpg
Author: Chinatravelsavvy


Kunming's transformation into a modern city was the result of an influx of refugees following the Second Sino-Japanese War of 1937. A number of universities and institutes were established here, and the funds that poured into the city helped it form a manufacturing base for the war time government in Chongqing.

Kunming experiences a booming economy in the 1990's leading up to the World Horticultural Expo held here. Most of the infrastructure of the city was laid in the late 1990's.

Clay sculptures of Qiongzhu Temple, Kunming
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Qiongzhu_arhats_2010_jan_10.jpg
Author: Rolfmueller

Planning your trip to Kunming

By Plane
Due to its distance from other cities in China, most travelers arrive by plane. Kunming International Airport (KMG) gets flights from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The present airport is located 9 kilometers to the southeast of downtown Kunming. The bus from airport to city costs ¥2 one way. Taxi to the city will cost you around ¥25 to ¥30.

By Train
You can also reach Kunming by train from Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an.

Exploring Kunming

Kunming suffers from massive traffic jams on a regular basis. The buses tend to be quite haphazard, stopping anywhere they wish, and not just at designated bus stops. Buy a bus map from a local store if you intend to use the bus to explore.

When calling a taxi, note that bigger taxis charge more than small ones. Insist on the meter to avoid being scammed. Some taxis are not allowed into the downtown area during certain times, so do not be surprised if the driver tells you that. Taxi fares start at ¥8 and a fuel surcharge of ¥1 added to the fare.

Kunming, China
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kunming_53.JPG
Author: Brücke-Osteuropa

Places of Interest in Kunming

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Please use the information on this page as guidance only. The author endeavours to update the information on this page from time to time, but regrets any inaccuracies if there be any.

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