Kunming Things to Do Tips by travelpug

Jinma Biji Fang

Jinma Biji Fang is a square in the center of Kunming City. It is nice to shop and people watching.

Directions: Intersection of Sanshui Jie and Jinbi Lu

Yuan Tong Temple 2

The most interesting hall in Yuan Tong Temple is the Thai style building at the very end of the compound. It is called Sakyamuni Hall. It is a gift from Thai government to Kunming. Relationship between Thailand and Kunming is quite close.

Yuan Tong Temple

Yuan Tong Temple is located in downtown Kunming. Construction started in the late 8th century. The whole temple compound has several halls. It is worth visiting to appreciate Chinese style temple.

Dian Chi Lake

Dian Chi Lake is the largest lake in Yunnan. From the northeastern tip of the lake, visitors can take cable cars up to Xishan (80Y). Yunnan National Minority Park is by the lake.

Stone Forest (ShiLin) 2

My favourite rock formation is this baby elephant. A bigger version of rock elephant is in Guilin (Guangxi Province).

Xishan (West Mountain)

Xishan (West Mountain) is located near DianChi lake just outside of Kunming. It is a nice hike to the top. There are 2 options to the top if you choose not to walk: cable car or shuttle. It was not difficult to hike. The fun part about walking up is that you get a chance to shop. There are souvenirs stalls along the way.

It is paved road all the way up until the temple area. There are a few small temples on the way up to Longmen (Dragon Gate). There are steps leading you all the way up to the top. Dragon Gate is supposed to bring success in whatever you do. When you reach the gate, don't forget to touch the ball at the botton of the lintel for good luck.

Oh, not to forget a good view of Dianchi lake from the top!

Stone Forest (ShiLin)

Stone Forest is an area located outside of Kunming. It takes about 1 and a half hour car ride. According to my guide book, we can take a train from Kunming. However, it was lucky that I found a travel agency that had a one day tour to Shilin cost RMB80 per person (as of 2004). At the time, the entrance fee to Shilin alone cost RMB80! What a great deal. So I went with the travel agency.

The tour include a tour to a jade store, a temple (they asked for donation), and tea store. I found that the tea shop was very informative and I got to taste a few types of tea. However, I didn't buy anything from them.

Shilin has unique landscape. It is only one of the 2 places on earth that has this kind of feature. Dark grey stones protruding from the ground and form different shapes. Shilin is very crowded. You can tour on your own at your own pace. But I found that my tour guide was very informative as she pointed out to us various shapes of the stones and what they looked like. I have to give credit to their imagination when naming the rocks.

After Shilin, we came back to Kunming. Our tour ended with a complimentary foot massage and free health consultation by traditional chinese medicine doctors. What a good one day trip!