Recently, Trip.com released its "May Day Travel Forecast Report," showing that as of April 16, Kunming's overall tourism orders for the May Day holiday have increased by 43% year-on-year. Hotel bookings rose by 57%, and inbound tourism orders have surged by 127%, making Kunming one of the top ten domestic cities for inbound tourism.

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, Xishan as the spine, the Stone Forest as the textured first page, and the blue sky as the backdrop throughout.

Dianchi Lake: Kunming's "Lakeside Living Room"

Photo from Kunming Releases Official WeChat 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 "Sleeping Beauty" and “Longmen Flying Waterfalls”

Photo from Yunnan Daily-Yun News, 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

Photo 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

Photo 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, time slows down

The term "Neijuan" (burnout culture) is rarely seen in the Kunming locals' dictionary. Instead, people counter anxiety with a slower pace, transforming everyday life into poetry.

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

Nanqiang Street 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.

Kunming: A City You'll Want to Visit Again

Some are captivated by Kunming's blue skies, some fall in love with its food, 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 that 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.

Photo from Kunming Releases Official WeChat Account