KUNMING TRAVEL
GENERAL INFORMATION-Kunming is the capital and largest city in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. It is known as 'the City of Eternal Spring' for its pleasant climate and flowers blooming all year long. Kunming consists of an old, previously walled city, a modern commercial district, residential and university areas. The city has an astronomical observatory and its institutions of higher learning include Yunnan University, Yunnan Normal University and a medical college. Kunming enjoys a mild climate year-round owing to the cold current being stopped by the vast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau; hence it's praised as the Spring City. The beautiful natural scenery, glorious historical heritages and colorful folk customs made Kunming one of the first excellent tourist destination cities in China. The city offers 72-Hour Visa-Free Policy to facilitate passport holders of 51 countries and regions to enjoy a visa-free TRANSIT stay of up to 72 hours when making an international transfer via Changshui Airport. (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Chongqing, Harbin, Shenyang, Dalian, Xian, Guilin, Kunming, Wuhan, Xiamen, Tianjin and Hangzhou) (6 Asian Countries: Korea, Japan, Singapore, Brunei, United Arab Emirates, Qatar).You can put forward your request for transit to your airline in advance, so that the airline can declare this to the Immigration Inspection prior to your visit. You will be granted a transit permit at the airport if you meet all requirements. NOTE: Beijing Capital International Airport has now changed this procedure, passengers can apply directly for 72 hour free transit permit after arrival at the airport. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/embassy/visa/free-72hour/
Distances-
Kunming to Shanghai =2000kms Hong Kong to Kunming =1200Kms
Kunking to Beijing =2100kms Ho Chi Minh to Kunming =1640kms
Guangzhou to Kunming =1100Kms Phnon Penh to Kunming =1500Kms
Kunming to Xian =1200kms Hanoi to Kunming =550Kms
KUNMING CITY-The city center is an attraction with its two squares (Jinma Biji Square, Dongfeng Square) and five intersecting roads (Dongfeng Road, Jinbi Road, Zhengyi Road, Renmin Road and Qingnian Road). Of these, Jinma Biji Square (also known as Jinbi Square) has the most eye-catching archways and stylish architectures. Qingnian Road, Zhengyi Road and Renmin Road are the main commercial areas. The most popular pedestrian streets are Nanping Street, Jingxing Flowers & Birds Market, and Jinma Biji Fang.
HISTORY-It was the gateway to the celebrated Silk Road that facilitated trade with Tibet, Sichuan, Myanmar and India.
GEOGRAPHY-Kunming is located at an altitude of 1,900 meters (6,234 feet) above sea level and at a latitude just north of the Tropic of Cancer. The city is linked by rail to Vietnam and by road to Burma and Laos as it is a border city. Lake Dian, titled as "the Pearl of the Plateau", is the sixth largest fresh water lake in China, is the largest lake in Yunnan and has an area of approxim-ately 340 km2.
CLIMATE-It's rather rainy in April, May, October and November in Kunming due to the influence of a monsoon wind.
MONTH JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC
HIGH 15 17 21 24 24 24 24 24 23 20 17 15
LOW 2 4 6 10 14 17 17 16 15 12 7 3
HIGH 15 17 21 24 24 24 24 24 23 20 17 15
LOW 2 4 6 10 14 17 17 16 15 12 7 3
AREA-21,4800 square kilometres.
POPULATION-6,50,000
CO-ORDINATES-25°04′N 102°41′E
TIME ZONE-UTC+8
AIRPORT-Wujiaba International Airport is five kilometers (3.1 miles) away from Kunming downtown area and three kilometers (1.9 miles) away from Kunming Railway Station, where direct flights to and from Hong Kong, Macau, Guilin, Dali, Beijing, Shanghai, Xishuangbanna, Zhongdian and Lijiang are available.
ATTRACTONS & SIGHTS-
POPULATION-6,50,000
CO-ORDINATES-25°04′N 102°41′E
TIME ZONE-UTC+8
AIRPORT-Wujiaba International Airport is five kilometers (3.1 miles) away from Kunming downtown area and three kilometers (1.9 miles) away from Kunming Railway Station, where direct flights to and from Hong Kong, Macau, Guilin, Dali, Beijing, Shanghai, Xishuangbanna, Zhongdian and Lijiang are available.
ATTRACTONS & SIGHTS-
001-STONE FOREST WORLD GEOPARK-Situated in Lunan County (Yi Ethnic Minority Autonomous County), Stone Forest is 120 kilometers far from Kunming City and requires only a three-hour drive. Being a well-reviewed scenic spot in China, Stone Forest is composed of 7 scenic districts and occupies more than 400 square kilometers in coverage, which is crowned as "the greatest world wonder" and "the stone forest museum". Some stones are as high as 40 meters, while some are only several meters high. Major Stone Forest, Minor Stone Forest and Naigu Stone Forest, all of which feature stones in various formations. Animals, plants, and even human figures can be found here. Some are elegant, some are rugged, and each is lifelike with its own distinguishing characteristics. On sunny day, the stones forest is off-white, while brown-black on rainy days. Long Lake is a karsts lake that is three kilometers long but only 300 meters wide. The lake features underwater stalagmites and stalactites and a small island in the center of the water. Geologists say the Stone Forest is a typical example of karsts topography. The region was a vast expanse of sea. Over time, the movements of the lithosphere gradually caused a retreat of the waters and the rise of the limestone landscape. Due to constant erosion by the elements, the area finally developed into the present-day appearance. Visiting Time: Park opens from 7.30 to 18.30hrs.It requires about Two hours to visit the park. Subterranean Stone Forest in Zhiyun Cave, distributed underground among several caves and occupying a total area of about three square kilometers (720 acres). Strange Wind Cave, composed of Penfeng Cave, Hongxi Spring and an underground river.
Admission Fees-CNY 175 (including Major/ Minor/ Naigu Stone Forest, Wannianlingzhi Scenic Area, Bushao Mountain and Liziyuanqing Scenic Area)
Admission Fees-CNY 175 (including Major/ Minor/ Naigu Stone Forest, Wannianlingzhi Scenic Area, Bushao Mountain and Liziyuanqing Scenic Area)
002- DONGCHUAN RED LAND- Dongchuan Red Land is located about 40 kilometers northeast of Kunming, with an altitude of 1800-2600 meters above sea level. Luoxiagou, or Luoxia Valley at Dongchuan Red Land near Kunming is considered to be the most magnificent red land in the world besides the red land in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is the most massive red land with typical features of Yunnan highland plateau. With gorgeous and colorful hues, Dongchuan Red Land is praised as a palette on earth. Because of the humid and worm climate, the iron elements in the soil have been depositing year by year after oxidation, and then the glaring color is formed after centuries. The soil there is rich in iron mineral, and after many years of oxidization and sedimentation, it gradually takes on beautiful reddish brown colors. Dongchuan Red Land refers to a large area of red land located in Xintian Town northeast of Kunming City. Every year from September to December, part of the red land is ploughed for planting, while another part of the red land has already been planted with crops. The whole multi-colored land with the blue sky, white clouds and changing hues create a magnificent view. Viewed from afar, the hills and fields appear in all kinds of red colors. Flowers blossom on the hill peaks and slopes, together with golden blades of wheat waving with breeze, creating layers of colors that reach far away. People visiting Dongchuan are suggested to get up early and come back late, because the sunrise and sunrise are all so engaging. The best time for photography there is from mid-May to early-June and from mid-October till November each year.
003-DIANCHI LAKE- It is 5 kilometers far from Kunming City and is the sixth largest inland freshwater lake in China, which is reputed as "pearl on plateau". Dianchi Lake, also referred as Kunming Lake, is created due to long-time crustal movement, and it is 1886 meters above the sea level. The lake is crescent-shaped, stretching 40 kilometers from north to south and 8 kilometers from west to east. Occupying an area of 300 square kilometers. More than 20 rivers converge into Dianchi Lake. Its water changes with clouds and sunshine of the day. Traditional fishing boats still sail on the lake. The most beautiful view appears at dawn and sunset. The ocean-like lake is the best place to go. Around Dianchi Lake also lie many places of interest, such as West Hill, Daguan Park, Yunnan Ethnic Village and so on.
004-GOLDEN TEMPLE- The Golden Temple is only 11 kilometers from Kunming .Located on top of Mingfeng (Singing Phoenix) Hill is the home of the Taoist Taihe Palace (Hall of Supreme Harmony), which is the largest copper temple in China. It is also known as the Tongwa Temple (Bronze Tile Temple) and by its popular name, the Golden Temple. The three Heavenly Gates of the Golden Temple are highly decorated with painted archivolts and carved beams and rafters. The temple was first built in 1602 during Ming Dynasty, imitating the Taihe Palace in Wudang Mountain in Hubei Province. The temple is 6.7 meters in height, 6.2 meters in depth and 250 tons in weight. Inside the temple stands the statue of Zhenwu, a Taoist deity, which is exquisitely in carving, magnificent in spectacle and solemn in appearance. On each side of statue of Zhenwu deity stands a soldier armor-dressed and weapon-held, appearing bold, powerful and vigorous. Behind the Golden Temple, there is a three-story-high Bell Tower that was built in 1984 to house a large, 580-year-old copper bell which is three point five meters (16.4 feet) high and weighs an incredible 14 tons (13.7 gross tons).
005-WESTERN HILLS- West Hill is 15 kilometers far from downtown of Kunming, stretching 40 kilometers at the altitude of 2500 meters. In the western suburbs of Kunming lies Western Hills. They are also called 'Sleeping Buddha Hills'. For looked at from a distance, they have the appearance of a giant sleeping Buddha. Western Hills boasts an excellent environment with flourishing flowers. The grand Sea-viewing Pavilion in Taihua Temple is a great place to watch the sunrise of Dianchi Lake. Here, there are wonderful scenic spots such as Huating Temple, Taihua Temple, Sanqing Pavilion, and Dragon Gate. Huating Temple is one of the largest Buddhist temples in Yunnan Province. It had been destroyed and rebuilt several times most recently in 1923.
006-YUANTONG TEMPLE- Yuantong Temple is at the foot of Yuantong Hill in the northern part of Kunming. King Yimouxun of the Nanzhao Kingdom built it during the late eighth century. Unlike all other Buddhist temples, which are built on an ascendant, as you enter Yuantong Temple from above and descend along a gently sloping garden path. The temple complex is built around Yuantong Hall (Mahavira Hall). It is surrounded by a very large pond. A delicate stone bridge which has an elegant octagonal pavilion stands in the center connects Mahavira Hall and the temple entrance. The pavilion is connected to the rest of the complex by various bridges and walkways. Sakymuni, Amitabha and the Medicine Buddha, all Yuan Dynasty statues, are found in the main hall. Yuantong Temple is a working temple that also represents the Buddhism of China today.
007-YUNNAN ETHINIC VILLAGE – Yunnan Ethnic Village, bordering Dianchi Lake in south, is 7 kilometers far from downtown of Kunming City, covering 485 hectares in area. It neighbors West Hill, Duguan Park, Zhenghe Park and other well-known scenic area and it is well-blended with them. Since opened to public in 1992. Yunnan Ethnic Village is dedicated to showcase the natural landscape and human landscape of different ethnic minorities, and it is just a window for visitors to know the daily life of Chinese ethnic minorities. In these featured villages, visitors could not only discover the Chinese ethnic group's culture of architecture, clothes and folk custom, but also enjoy the marvelous water-screen film, ethnic dance, elephant performances, exquisite ethnic handicrafts, and palatable ethnic food etc.
008-HORTICULTURAL EXPOSITION GARDEN-Kunming Horticultural Exposition Garden is 4 kilometers far from downtown of Kunming City and beside the Golden Temple Scenic Area. It is a first-class Daguanyuan (Grand View Garden), which has typical Chinese and local Yunnan characteristics. The garden occupies 540 acres in area, 76.7% of which is covered by vegetation and about 10% by water, magnificent in spectacular and inviting in scenery. The horticultural exposition garden is home to 5 big exhibition halls (China Hall, the Man and Nature Hall, the Green House, the Science and Technology Hall, and the International Hall), 6 theme gardens (the Tree Garden, the Tea Garden, the Bonsai Garden, the Medicinal Herb Garden, the Bamboo Garden, and the Vegetable and Fruit Garden), 3 outdoor showplaces (the International Outdoor Exhibition Area, the Domestic Outdoor Exhibition Area, and the Exhibition Area for Enterprises), and 2 big squares (Century Plaza, and the Performance Plaza).
Presented By- V P Gupta
Presented By- V P Gupta