Entering the summer season, Kunming is ablaze with bougainvillea, igniting the entire city in a riot of color. From the century-old meter-gauge railway to modern streets and lanes, from the shores of Dianchi Lake to residential buildings, each cascade of blossoms is a poem weaving together nature and human life. This floral guide will unlock several must-see bougainvillea havens, allowing you to experience the unique exuberance and tenderness of the Spring City. 

Ditai Temple Meter-Gauge Railway

Adjacent to the Ditai Temple bus stop, the meeting of the centennial meter-gauge railway and the bougainvillea has created Kunming's most classic artistic landmark. Cascades of magenta blossoms stretch for hundreds of meters along the tracks, the flowering branches hanging like scarlet curtains, forming a dialogue across time with the aged railway sleepers and silent steel rails that bear the marks of history.

Photo taken by Zhao Wei

Once an extension of the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, this area has become a nostalgic corridor for citizens to stroll and take photos. In the soft light of the morning or evening sun, the interplay of floral shadows and the luster of the rails evokes a feeling of stepping back into the slow pace of a century ago.

Photo taken by Zhao Wei

Photo Tips: Wear a light-colored long dress and pair it with a straw bag. Lean against the flower wall or stroll along the tracks to instantly create stunning, cinematic shots.

Navigation: Ditai Temple Bus Stop (North Gate of Kunming University of Science and Technology) 

Yinghai Road

Outside the white buildings on Yinghai Road, bougainvillea pours down from the fifth floor like a fuchsia waterfall, composing a highly saturated oil painting with the blue sky and Dianchi Lake.

Photo taken by Zhang Lanlan

This is Kunming's most visually striking bougainvillea hotspot, with flowering branches covering the entire wall and even the stair railings entwined with blossoms, like a whimsical scene from an animated film.

Photo taken by Zhang Lanlan

Photo Tips: It is recommended to go in the early morning to avoid the crowds and capture the glistening translucence of the petals when the morning dew is still fresh. Pay attention to safety when shooting, as the flower wall is close to the motor vehicle lane.

Navigation: Next to Liujun Hall on Yinghai Road

Huang Gong East Street

On Huang Gong East Street near Cuihu Park, bougainvillea and bright yellow walls create an extreme collision of color aesthetics. Flowering branches surge out from the walls, with flowers overwhelming the greenery. Pedestrians can't help but stop and admire. 

Photo from Kunming Wuhua Release

Located near Yunnan University, students often stroll past with books in hand. The interplay of floral shadows and youthful energy is a favorite among literary youth.

Photo from Kunming Wuhua Release

Photo Tips: The light is best in the afternoon. Try using a wide-angle lens to capture the visual effect of "the flower wall extending infinitely." Navigation: Huang Gong East Street 

Aolin Apartment, Xinlian Lane

Outside Building 4 of Aolin Apartment at No. 176 Xinlian Lane, a bougainvillea climbs to a height of ten stories, forming a 40-meter vertical cascade of flowers. This "climber of the floral world" has been growing for more than ten years, and during the height of summer, it resembles a red silk ribbon hanging in the sky, its flowering branches gently caressing the balconies of the opposite buildings. 

At nightfall, the setting sun gilds the waterfall of blossoms with a golden edge, creating a spectacular sight. 

Navigation: No. 176 Xinlian Lane

Along Guangfu Road

From the intersection of Guangfu Road and Dianchi Road to the Guannan Overpass section, a large number of bougainvillea are planted in the central reservation, covering about 3 kilometers. Horticultural workers use flower control techniques to extend the flowering period from May to November, marking a seasonal relay from the Jacaranda's purple-blue, with the vibrant magenta blooms.

Best viewing point: The overpass at the intersection of Guangfu Road and Jinliu Road. 

Bougainvillea at the entrance of the North Station Tunnel. Photo taken by Li Haixi 

In addition to the locations mentioned above, bougainvillea in full bloom can also be enjoyed on Renmin Middle Road, Beijing Road, Laoyuhe Wetland Park, Shuanghe Bay, Shuixiang Road, Yunshun Road, Yiliang County, and others. You can choose the viewing spots according to your preferences and enjoy a bougainvillea extravaganza in Kunming. 

Renmin Middle Road 

Yiliang County

Yiliang County

The beauty of bougainvillea lies in its robust vitality. They can be historical footnotes on the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway or fiery poetic touches on the old residential security bars.

This uninhibited and affectionate plant is just like the character in the bones of Kunming people— living passionately at a slow pace and brewing stunning glimpses from ordinary details. This summer, appreciate the beauty with your eyes and feel the flowering events of the real Spring City!