Beautiful landscape of China Stone forest in Kunming

Things to do in  Kunming

China carved in stone

Capital of China’s sprawling, ethnically diverse Yunnan province, Kunming has a laid-back, college city feel—even though it’s home to roughly the population of New York City. Things to do in Kunming span the gamut from sampling local dishes like crossing-the-bridge noodles to perusing Jingxing Bird and Flower Market and touring the Golden Temple and the mountainside Dragon Gate complex. Nearby attractions include the Stone Forest karst landscape. Kunming is also a great jump-off point for tours of greater Yunnan, with Lijiang, Dali, and Tiger Leaping Gorge being popular destinations.

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Top activities in Kunming

Private Day Tour to Red Land in Dongchuan from Kunming

Private Day Tour to Red Land in Dongchuan from Kunming

From
$220.59
1 Day Stone Forest & Jiuxiang Cave Tour

1 Day Stone Forest & Jiuxiang Cave Tour

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From
$196.31
3-Day Private Tour to Jianshui and Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces from Kunming

3-Day Private Tour to Jianshui and Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces from Kunming

From
$631.14
Kunming City Tour: Dragon Gate, Huating Temple and Daguan Pavilion

Kunming City Tour: Dragon Gate, Huating Temple and Daguan Pavilion

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From
$172.00
Private Tour of Stone Forest Geological Park in Kunming

Private Tour of Stone Forest Geological Park in Kunming

From
$188.00
Private Day Tour to Jiuxiang Cave from Kunming by Car

Private Day Tour to Jiuxiang Cave from Kunming by Car

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From
$210.03
1 Day Stone Forest and Jiuxiang Cave with Roast Duck - Charge by Vehicle

1 Day Stone Forest and Jiuxiang Cave with Roast Duck - Charge by Vehicle

From
$176.00
per group
Kunming Private Day Tour to Stone Forest and Chengzi Ancient Town

Kunming Private Day Tour to Stone Forest and Chengzi Ancient Town

From
$208.98
1-Day Dali tour from Kunming by Round-way Bullet Train

1-Day Dali tour from Kunming by Round-way Bullet Train

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From
$337.74
Private day tour in Kunming to Stone forest and cuihu lake with lunch

Private day tour in Kunming to Stone forest and cuihu lake with lunch

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From
$180.00
2-Day Private Photography Tour to Yuanyang Rice Terrace from Kunming

2-Day Private Photography Tour to Yuanyang Rice Terrace from Kunming

From
$420.06
Private Tour: Stone Forest and Flower Birds Market with Lunch

Private Tour: Stone Forest and Flower Birds Market with Lunch

From
$224.28
Kunming Private Day Tour to Jiuxiang Cave with Boat Ride

Kunming Private Day Tour to Jiuxiang Cave with Boat Ride

From
$208.98
Private Night Tour to Enjoy Dynamic Yunnan Show

Private Night Tour to Enjoy Dynamic Yunnan Show

From
$85.76
7-Days tour from Kunming to Shangri-La and overnight in Tiger Leaping Gorge

7-Days tour from Kunming to Shangri-La and overnight in Tiger Leaping Gorge

From
$1,825.86
4days private tour Stone forest Yuanyang Terrace Jianshui old town from Kunming

4days private tour Stone forest Yuanyang Terrace Jianshui old town from Kunming

From
$1,063.00
Private Day Tour of Jiuxiang Cave from Yunnan

Private Day Tour of Jiuxiang Cave from Yunnan

From
$109.00
Stone Forest Day Tour

Stone Forest Day Tour

From
$105.55
One day Kunming leisure city tour

One day Kunming leisure city tour

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From
$70.00
Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pick up

Kunming Changshui Airport Chauffeur Service, Kunming Airport Transfer, Pick up

From
$71.00
per group
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All about Kunming

When to visit

The Chinese call Kunming “the city of eternal spring” for its mellow, subtropical climate. June through August see a lot of rain but May is a good month to visit, with warm weather, blooming flowers, and Dongchuan Red Land in full color; avoid the first week of the month when the May Day holiday sees the city crowded with domestic tourists.

Getting around

Yunnan lies in southwest China, bordering Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam. Like most large Chinese cities, Kunming has fast, efficient public transit, as well as extensive high-speed rail connections. The metro system will be your first port of call for many journeys, and the MetroMan app is a great way to navigate it. For ride-hailing services, use DiDi. While there are metered taxis, most drivers speak only Mandarin.

Traveler tips

Yunnan is China’s largest producer of flowers, and a visit to a market is a must when in Kunming. The Dounan International Flowers Industrial Park is one of Asia’s biggest floral markets—in fact, it’s so big it even has a computerized trading floor. The province also boasts a wide diversity of cuisine, with foods like yak’s milk cheese and edible flowers. Discover it at Shiping Huiguan, an upscale eatery in a heritage courtyard building.

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People Also Ask

What is Kunming famous for?

Kunming is best known as the capital of Yunnan province. With a history that dates back more than 1,300 years, it offers tranquil lakes and some striking temples, including the Golden Temple and those found at Dragon Gate scenic area. The Stone Forest, about 55 miles (90 kilometers) from Kunming, holds UNESCO World Heritage status.

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How long should I spend in Kunming?

It’s worth spending at least two days in Kunming before exploring Yunnan, but you could easily stay longer. See the Stone Forest and discover ethnic minority cultures at the Yunnan Nationalities Museum on your first day. On the second day of your trip, visit a flower market, Green Lake, and the Dragon Gate scenic area or Golden Temple.

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What language is spoken in Kunming?

Kunming locals speak Kunminghua, a dialect of Southwestern Mandarin. As Yunnan province is home to 25 different ethnic minority groups, however, you may also hear the Bai and Nuosu (Yi) languages.

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Is Kunming worth visiting?

Yes, Kunming is the heart of Yunnan, China’s most diverse province, and it’s well worth spending some time here before you head off to explore Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-La, and the mountains. While the city only has a few big-ticket attractions, those who enjoy slow travel will find lots to love in this laid-back historic city.

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Are Kunming and Yunnan the same?

No, Yunnan is a province, while Kunming is a city and the capital of Yunnan. A province is a Chinese administrative division that works similarly to a US state; however, because China does not have a federal system of government, its provinces have less autonomy than states. Yunnan province is a little bigger than Norway or Montana.

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How safe is Kunming?

Kunming is very safe, with rates of violent crime being extremely low. As with anywhere in China, avoid drugs and check that your taxi driver is using the meter.

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Frequently Asked Questions
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