Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, serves as the gateway to one of China’s most diverse and enchanting regions, where travellers begin their journeys into the misty highlands, ancient villages, and ethnic cultures that define the southwest. The city earns its nickname “Spring City” from a climate so mild and temperate that flowers bloom year-round, making it a refreshing contrast to the extremes felt elsewhere in China. From the ornate Golden Horse and Jade Rooster Archways framing the old city centre to the sizzling lamb skewers and hand-pulled noodles lining Chongren Street’s Muslim quarter, and the lantern-lit stalls of the Nanqiang Night Market, Kunming pulses with a cultural vibrancy that rewards every curious traveller.
Best time to visit
March to October
