Kunming is the capital of Yunnan Province and was formerly the gateway to the famous Silk Road - a trade route with Tibet, Sichuan, Myanmar, and India. Today, the city is one of the most popular tourist destinations in China, especially in the southwest of the country. Compared to other big cities, Kunming is an especially pleasant city thanks to its favorable climate and clean air. As a result the city was dubbed “the City of Eternal Spring”. While the beautiful remains, the old neighborhood of Kunming has transformed into a modern city with skyscrapers and shopping malls now a common sight.
Spanning 21,015 km2 Kunming offers plenty of attractions, including temples and national parks, to keep all the tourists busy. At the heart of the city are two squares, Jinma Biji Square and Dongfeng Square. Five roads also meet here - Dongfeng Road, Jinbi Road, Zhengyi Road, Renmin Road and Qingnian Road – offering ample shopping and dining options. The most eye-catching archways and stylish architecture can be found at Jinma Biji Square, while the main commercial areas are located on Qingnian Road, Zhengyi Road and Renmin Road. Nanping Street, Jingxing Flowers & Birds Market, and Jinma Biji Fang are known as the most popular pedestrian streets.
Other than that, the city also presents a glimpse into Yunnan’s minority cultures – some 26 in total. Visitors can see some of the cultures of these ethinic minorities at Yunnan Nationalities Village, around 35 minutes from Kunming nearby Dianchi Lake. Dianchi Lake itself is another main attraction in Kunming. The lake measures about 300 square kilometers and is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province, and the sixth largest in China. Various tourist attractions surround the lake giving visitors the chance to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors.
