By Travel Guide Extraordinaire James Zheng

When we ask where is “Home”? James answers, “Kunming.” He adds, “It’s better than heaven.”

Where am I from? In terms of cities in China, most people have only heard of  Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou as these are popular spots for visitors. However, there are plenty of places worth visiting in the interior provinces, like my city, Kunming.

Kunming is the capital city located in the center of a province called Yunnan. This whole province is full of popular must-see destinations, but most of them are only known by local residents. I’m giving you the insider’s guide.

Here is a brief introduction to Kunming. Kunming has one of the most temperate climates and has the best air quality in China. The weather is not too hot or too cold. The season in Kunming is always spring; therefore, my city is also given the name “Spring City.” This climate has attracted many people who move from other crowded cities when they need a well-deserved vacation. Geographically, Kunming is located near some south-eastern countries, being closer to Burma, Vietnam, and Laos. But it is also close to Thailand, Bangladesh, and Cambodia. This makes it a place of international cultural exchange and a cultural melting pot.

Here are some of my recommendations for local foods and places to visit in Kunming:

Places to see:

• Golden Temple Park: A palace that was built during the Qing Dynasty (1368―1644), it contains historical meanings everywhere. The main structure is yellow bronze, so it was also categorized as one of the Chinese grand bronze palaces. It is preserved as it originally was. There is also a huge mountain surrounding the palace, and with all the forests, it is tucked into a natural environment. You get to see lots of flowers as well.  

• The ancient town of Guandu: Guandu used to be an independent region; now it is one of the districts within Kunming. The only thing you might be interested in here is the old-styled building and some exquisite handicraft. The initial construction of Guandu started from the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and mixed with some culture generated from Buddhism. You would see some temples and towers as well. 

• Southern-east-Styled City: This place does not have the same size as a city, but it is one of the most commercialized and well-developed areas inside Kunming. There is an exhibition called Southern-east Cultural Exhibition, which is held each year. During the exhibition, you get to participate in cultural activities and buy interesting gadgets from Southern-east. Even if it’s not for the purpose of going for the exhibition, you can also hang out there and find fun things to do. 

Food to Try: 

• “Cross-the-bridge rice noodle”: This is a unique style of rice noodle invented by Kunming locals. You serve this rice noodle with hot soup. Along with separate fresh side dishes, you cook the rice noodles instantly by putting them into the soup. It is popular in Kunming.

• Varieties of Mushrooms: The Yunnan province is given the respectful name “The Kingdom of Mushrooms,” since we have thousands of types of mushrooms. Most of them contain valuable nutrients. The mushrooms are a main incentive attracting tourists to visit Kunming. 

And that is generally all I would say about Kunming. Depending on the motivations of the travelers, you could discover more about this heavenly city I call “home.” I hope this helps you know more about China!

Editor: Renée Vazquez