Kunming Yunnan. Kunming city. Thermal springs of Anyina

To get to the City of Eternal Spring (春城), you need to go to Kunming (昆明, Kūnmíng). It is the administrative center of Yunnan Province (云南, Yúnnán) in southwest China. The name of the city comes from the tribe of nomads of the same name who lived in these places many centuries ago. At first, these people wandered around Lake Dianchi, looking for a suitable place, and during the Han and Tang dynasties they decided to settle there. And the nomads did the right thing, because this is truly a place of eternal spring - in December-February there is such a comfortable air temperature that you can’t even call these months winter.

More than a hundred years ago, local residents found out that near the city there are rich deposits of salt and phosphates. The mining industry gradually began to flourish. At the same time, they took up mechanical engineering and the production of building materials. Well, agriculture has always flourished there - the conditions are very suitable. In addition, the geographical location of Kunming (latitude: 25° 2" 20" N, longitude: 102° 43" 6" E) contributed to the development of economic ties with the countries of Southeast Asia. In general, nomads once found a fertile place. The climatic conditions of these places allowed Kunming to become a major flower export base. It’s hard to even imagine how many flowers are sold at the Dounan specialized market - they buy 2.5 million yuan every day! Just a floral ocean. It is not for nothing that in 1999 the Flower Expo was held in the City of Eternal Spring. The incredible beauty of the exhibition forced the whole world to pay attention to the previously little-known Chinese city.

Kunming has existed for 2,400 years, but its real heyday began in 1910, when the railway was built to Hanoi, Vietnam. It was from then that active construction began, the construction of sports facilities and hotels, which allowed the small settlement to quickly turn into an attractive tourist center. Since the 80s of the last century, entrepreneurs from Thailand have become interested in it and opened branches of Kasikorn and Krung banks in Kunming. And the Thai princess Maa Kakri Sirindhorn began to regularly come to this city to study Chinese history and culture and establish friendly relations.

The history of Kunming is indeed interesting. Founded at the dawn of a new era, already in the early 200s it began to solely control the southern branch of the Great Silk Road, which passed through Burma and India. It was a rich time, which contributed to the development of many cities. And now the “Economic Belt along the Silk Road” proposed by the Chinese is spreading to the West, East, South and North. The implementation of this idea, according to experts, could be beneficial for approximately three billion people.

Kunming, unfortunately, like most populated areas in China, had to endure both the Great Leap Forward and the Cultural Revolution. During these years, much was destroyed, even the city wall built in the 14th century, and the city itself became a link for the Chinese intelligentsia at that time. Nevertheless, life takes its toll, the city has been revived and even began to prosper. Representatives of many nationalities still live here: Han, Huie, Miao, Lisu, Zhuang... They communicate in a peculiar dialect that not all residents of this multinational country understand.

Kunming Metropolitan Region has five districts, one urban county, five ordinary counties and three autonomous counties. The administrative center itself consists of several districts: the old one, which is located outside the city wall, a commercial district, as well as a residential and educational district. History buffs, of course, are attracted by everything that is located outside the city wall, where, despite all sorts of disasters, many cultural monuments remain. This is where tourists tend to take a lot of photos of Kunming.

These places are lucky with the climate. Summers are long and warm, winters are short and not cold. If in the winter months the air temperature fluctuates around plus 15°, then in the summer it is approximately 24°. True, there were years when the temperature was minus - almost 7°, and in the summer it rose to 32°C. But this is rare, because Kunming is the City of Eternal Spring. That’s why it’s surrounded by flowers almost all year round. Only from May to October there is rain there, the rest of the time there is dry, warm bliss. So even the weather in Kunming, located in Yunnan province, contributes to the development of tourism.

It is convenient to get to these places by air. Kunming Changshui International Airport (IATA: KMG, ICAO: ZPPP) was built quite recently - in 2012. The Chinese hope that by 2020 it will serve 38 million passengers and become the country's busiest airport. Currently, planes are flying from here to most major cities of the People's Republic of China, as well as to Bangkok, Kathmandu, Dubai, Seoul, Hanoi - in general, in many directions. This is a truly modern airline complex with a wide runway and a terminal that resembles a large bird. In the near future, an airport should become the air hub of Kunming, a kind of city within a city with a population of 200 thousand people.Residents will work in the fields of logistics, aircraft maintenance, tourism and hospitality.

In addition, Kunming remains a major railway hub. From here you can go to (成都, Chengdu), (上海, Shànghǎi), (南京, Nánjīng), to Vietnamese Lao Cai, to Hanoi - wherever your heart desires. Kunming's two large railway stations (South and North) are equipped to accommodate high-speed trains. If quite recently Japan and Great Britain were considered the leaders in high-speed technologies, then since 2012 the palm belongs to China. The Chinese managed to increase the “flight” speed of trains to 350 km, but then were forced to drop it to 250 due to a lack of electricity. However, even this speed has significantly reduced travel time, and the construction of high-speed highways continues. Rail travel is so popular that tickets usually sell out three days before departure and go on sale ten days in advance. In the near future, two more railway routes are expected to be put into operation: to Vietnam through Honghe Prefecture and to Singapore through Laos, Thailand and Malaysia.

There is also a subway in Kunming, the first line of which opened in 2012. More than 20 stations are currently operating, and a third line is being built, which is planned to open in 2016. In total, the Kunming metro will have four lines with a length of 160 km. As in all Chinese cities, bus service is developed there. There are so many buses in Kunming that the roads had to be widened. In addition, the authorities began to pay the most serious attention to training drivers not only to drive, but also to park, to eliminating parking for bicycles and scooters on sidewalks, and to planning routes. To date, several special bus lanes have been built. However, traffic congestion remains a problem for the city. Buses run on 200 city routes and over long distances. Therefore, the city has a Southern Bus Station, Railway Square and a Bus Station, from which regular buses and those with sleepers depart. At the same time, there is no exact timetable; departures depend on the vehicle’s occupancy. You can also take a taxi or rent a bicycle to explore Kunming. Rental - 2 yuan/hour.

Along with several large Chinese cities, Kunming often hosts the International Education Fair (China Education Expo), which provides a unique opportunity to obtain the latest information in this area and attract foreign students to study at Kunming universities, among other things. Among them, educational institutions such as the Medical University, the College of Metallurgy, the University of Science and Technology, the University of the Arts, and the School of Business are especially popular. In addition, this city has more than 300 research institutions, many of which are world famous.

The successes of this city's healthcare are also widely known. More than 70 percent of medical services here are provided by private clinics in Kunming. State medical institutions are more accessible to visitors: the Provincial Red Cross Hospital, the People's Hospital and the Emergency Medical Center. If necessary, qualified assistance will be provided in each of them. The Physical Recovery Center and the HIV/AIDS Treatment Center are also well known among specialists.

Kunming is also famous for its original cuisine, which has absorbed the subtleties of Sichuan, Shandong, Guangdong and Suzhou culinary schools, adding all kinds of seasonings to their variety. Foreigners tend to be wowed by delicacies such as Yiliang dried duck, Zhubao chicken stew, Fanhua turtle meat and rose petal pumpkin. Guoqiao rice strings and imperial chef's cakes are also in demand. You can try all this in the famous restaurants “Taili Guoji”, “Haitian”, “Tsuihu Jianye”. But no less interesting is heading to the Kundu night bazaar with its street of snacks, bars and nightclubs. There is also Shanjie Snack Street, where delicacies are sold at very reasonable prices. You might even stumble across an amazing dish like guò qiáo mĭxiàn - rice noodle soup covered in a thin layer of oil that keeps the food hot.

Considering that this city, located in Yunnan province, was included in the “short list” of the List of cultural and historical monuments, of course, it is advisable to choose the sights of Kunming that you should visit first. This is not easy to do, since there are a lot of interesting places. For example, the Golden Palace on Mount Minfengshan, built in 1602. There is a roof, doors, an altar, statues of gods - everything is made of yellow bronze with a total weight of more than 200 tons. This is the largest bronze palace in China. An interesting bamboo temple with an art gallery. It is interesting to look at the arches of the Golden Horse and the Green Rooster on Jinbi Street and once again smile at the ability of the Chinese to come up with names for everything, and also visit, for example, the Green Lake Park with its numerous tea shops and the favorite of local residents, red-billed gulls, or visit a mosque with a 400-year-old history and the pagoda of the Tang Dynasty, arousing admiration for its unusual architecture. Those who want to completely relax and forget about everyday work can go to the Stone Forest with its life-giving air and stunningly beautiful waterfalls. Water falling from a great height literally fascinates tourists who are willing to spend many hours in these places. But truly untouched nature and picturesque landscapes invite tourists to the ancient Burma Road, along which the Great Silk Road passed. It seems that there are no special attractions there, but the places are so beautiful that no one forgets to take photos of Kunming, which will remind them of the unusual journey for a long time.

On such a trip there is only one problem - how to manage everything? After all, it would be nice to visit festivals and exhibitions in Kunming. There are, for example, the BigScreen film festival showing Chinese and Italian films, Yunnan Mulicultural with a demonstration of documentaries, and an anime festival that has long conquered the world. No less interesting is the regional China Kunming Import & Export Commodities Fair, which annually attracts thousands of foreign guests in June and where billions of dollars in contracts are signed. But even without the fair, Kunming delights the soul of a true shopaholic. Shops in Kunming offer original locally made products: jianshui art and ceramics, homespun handkerchiefs, jade, marble and pewter items. If you need to buy something larger than souvenirs, you can go to the Kunming Department Store, which is located at the intersection of Dongfengsilu and Zhengyilu streets. There are a lot of clothing, shoe and household appliance stores around. And there is a river nearby, so you can relax. History buffs can visit the ancient Muslim quarter of Shuncheng Jie, where they sell beef jerky, coffee beans and the famous Pu-erh and Tocha teas. By the way, in this area there are also good hotels at reasonable prices.

A lot, because this is a tourist city. Prices, as elsewhere, depend on the location and number of stars. You can stay in the 5-star Intercontinental Kunming at: No. 5 Yijing Road, National Tourism Area Of Dianchi, Kunming, China, 65022. Beautiful rooms with lake views, signature cuisine in the restaurant. Nearby attractions include Yunnan Nationalities Village and Haigeng Park. Cost - from 1200 yuan. The 3-star Inmao Hotel at 59 Yongsheng Road Beijing Road South Section, Kunming looks more modest. Nevertheless, there are nice large rooms, and the location is excellent - almost in the city center. You will have to pay from 450 yuan per night. Well, a completely budget option is, of course, a hostel. Such as Cloudland International Youth Hostel at No.23 Zhuantang Road, Wuhua District, Kunming. Only 35-40 yuan per night in comfortable conditions with free Internet, billiards and tennis. There is a shower, the restaurant serves European and Chinese cuisine. The bus stop is very close, so you can easily explore the city. The main thing is not to forget to take a Kunming card or install a mobile off-line application for your phone or tablet. In order not to search for the necessary information for a long time, before traveling to Kunming it is worth writing down for your relatives that the telephone code of China is 86, the city of Kunming is 871. To call from Russia from a landline phone, you need to dial the subscriber number 8-10-86-871. From a cell phone: +86-871-subscriber number. As a rule, in such wonderful places promises to call loved ones are forgotten, so let them have the opportunity to call themselves.

Kunming is considered one of the best resort cities in China. It attracts many tourists from all over the world, with almost two million travelers visiting it every year. This figure is evidence that the city is truly interesting for its attractions, amazingly beautiful landscapes and, no less important, it is very comfortable for those who want not only to see a lot of interesting things, but also to have a great rest.

At the top of Mingfeng Hill is the Golden Temple. It is also called the Temple of Supreme Harmony. It was erected by order of Emperor Wan Li (1602). According to legend, the place to build the temple was suggested to him in a dream. In the 19th century, the Temple was restored; more than 200 tons of bronze were spent for these purposes.

In order to get to the Temple itself, you need to overcome a high staircase, which is in the tradition of Taoist temples. In the hall you can see a sword, according to legend, it belonged to the deity who guarded the surrounding area. The temple is located in a wonderful, picturesque place, surrounded by pine and cypress trees.

Yuantong Temple

In the center of Kunming is the majestic Yuantong Temple, the only Buddhist temple in the city. It was built during the reign of the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907). The uniqueness of the structure lies in the fact that the steps leading to the central hall do not go up, as traditionally, but down. The hall contains a large Buddha statue and dragons entwining the columns.

Outside the building you can see a picturesque pond with bridges, and an octagonal pavilion rises in the center. This place attracts a large number of pilgrims.

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Shilin" stone forest

More than 200 million years ago, deep sea waves splashed on the site of Shilin Province. Limestone layers settled, tectonic movements occurred, and as a result, after the disappearance of the sea, stone blocks remained. Time, water and wind have “built” a huge stone forest out of the ocean day, attracting attention with its unusual, fantastic landscape. The rocks took on various forms, resembling figures of animals, people, and mystical characters.

Today, Shilin is divided into seven separate parts: large and small stone forests, Naigu stone forest, Zhiyun Cave, Qifeng Cave, Long Lake, Moon Lake, Da Dishui Waterfalls. The stone forest is replete with fantastic stone towers, pillars and stalactites.

In the small stone forest there are many large beautiful meadows, thickets of bamboo, trees and mountain flowers. There are also the famous stone flowers - “Towers that support the sky” and “Singing stones”.

The famous torch festival is held here every year. Tourists take part in traditional activities such as wrestling, bullfighting, pole climbing, dragon play, lion dance and Dance.

In 1999, China challenged the whole world by inviting dozens of countries to participate in the Garden Art Fair. Ninety-five countries responded to the invitation, as did about ten million visitors. The fair opened on May 1 and ended at the end of October. The motto of the exhibition was: “Man and nature – entering the 21st century.”

After the closure of the World Garden Art Fair, the city authorities decided to turn this place into a city park. More than ten years have passed since then, but the park is in excellent condition. Moreover, most of the pavilions of the participating countries have been preserved.

While walking through the park, you can enjoy impressive exhibits, including unique recreated landscapes, artificial mountains, islands, terraces, gazebos and much more.

Golden Palace

The Golden Temple was built on top of Mingfeng Hill (translated from Chinese as “Singing Phoenix”) in 1620 by order of Emperor Wan Li. Being an ardent adherent of Taoism, Wan Li saw the legendary immortal Lu Dongbin in a dream. The Immortal ordered Wan Li to get to the foot of Mount Yingwu (as Mingfeng was called in those days), which he did the next morning.

At the place, Wan Li saw a lonely old shepherd. As soon as Wan Li approached him, he disappeared, and in his place were two clay pots. After connecting the pots together, Wan Li saw a hieroglyph in the form of the first letter of Lu Dongbin's name. The emperor considered this a sign from above and ordered a temple to be built on this very spot.

In 1857, the temple was plundered by Muslims. The restoration took many years and 250 tons of solid bronze.

The road to the temple is winding and long. It is designed to help you cast aside all worries and bad thoughts on the way to the great shrine.

The most popular attractions in Kunming with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Kunming on our website.

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TOURISTS' ANSWERS:

There are no grandiose buildings and not many ancient relics in Kunming. Vacationers come here in search of untouched nature, colorful landscapes, rare flora and fauna, safari-type activities and a large number of different indigenous peoples with their ancient customs. Boasting an abundance of beautiful lakes, waterfalls and hills, trees, gardens and flowers, Kunming is an ancient island of culture. It is one of the top ten tourism destinations in China.

Kunming is the administrative center of Yunnan Province, and in addition, in the PRC it is also known as the political, financial, cultural and transport center of this administrative unit. The city, which is located in the middle part of the Yungui Plateau, is home to approximately five million people.

Kunming captivates locals and foreigners with its original beauty, earning it the nickname “City of Eternal Spring.” For four months of the year, these places have favorable weather conditions, thanks to which people from all over the world come here to admire the beauty of the mountain views.

This resort center is visited by many vacationers, this happened due to the fact that it was included in the list of cities - monuments of cultural and historical significance. The infrastructure in Kunming is of a high standard; many restaurants, hotels and clubs are being built here. Kunming has extensive tourism resources.

Fans of the ancient culture of China come to this country from everywhere; it is in Kunming that they have the opportunity to get a complete impression of the richness of national traditions and the customs of the local population. And, of course, admire the unusual flora and fauna here.

Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is known as a major attraction in Kunming. This building is the largest ancient temple in the republic, which is located on Mingfengshan Hill. This temple houses the Hall of Supreme Harmony, or the Palace of Teiha, where you can get acquainted with the relics of Taoism, one of the oldest religions. The temple was erected in the thirtieth year of the reign of Emperor Wan Li of the Ming Dynasty (17th century). Its constituent parts are beams, doors, roof, figures of gods, etc. - were cast from yellow bronze, their total weight reaches two hundred tons.

Bamboo Temple

The surrounding area of ​​Kunming is very interesting for tourists. The Bamboo Temple, or Qiongzhusi, which is located ten kilometers east of the city, was built during the reign of the Mongol Yuan dynasty. In the main pavilion of the temple there are three Buddha figures from that time. The temple is especially famous for its five hundred statues of tubs, which were made from clay in 1883-1890 - they were made by Sichuan craftsmen. The Buddha's disciples are depicted in a special way - emphasizing their individuality, the main thing in them is their human qualities. Craftsmen made images that characterize all groups of society. They have an amazing variety of facial expressions, gestures and postures.

Lake Dianchi

Dianchi Lake is located in the southwest of Kunming. This lake is the largest in the province. It covers an area of ​​almost three hundred square kilometers. Its waters are replenished by twenty rivers and springs.

Along the shores of Lake Dianchi there are a large number of interesting places - for example, Daguan Lou Gongyuan Park, in which there is a tower with the same name. Mountains stretch along the western coast, overlooking the lake. On its shores there is a national aboriginal settlement, Xishan Forest Park, Daguanlou Tower, Guanying Mountain, White Fish Mouth Mountain, Sea Crest Park, Zhenghe Park, as well as a large number of parks and temples. Vacationers have the opportunity to ride along the lake and admire the silence and beauty reigning here.

Taihua Temple

Taihua Temple was built during the Yuan era. The pride of this park is its huge collection of various flora, including camellias and magnolias. Many famous personalities of past centuries, such as Emperor Kangxi, the fourth of the Manchu Qing dynasty, used to admire the sunrise here. Near the top - namely between the Taihua and Sanqing temples - is located the tomb of Nie Er, a famous Yunnan musician in the past, whose merit is the composition of the national anthem. He died tragically in Japan - drowned while heading to the Soviet Union.

You can climb up using a cable car. Sanqing Temple is located here. Once upon a time, a country house of a prince of the Yuan Dynasty was located here. Subsequently, the temple became a place of worship for the three main deities of Taoism. The thirteen wooden buildings located here, located on the edge of the cliff, are striking.

Dragon Gate

Next is the Dragon Gate - the most important curiosity in the Western Mountains. Here, galleries, statues, grottoes and pavilions were carved into the cliff. One of these grottoes is the largest in Yunnan. The first of the grottoes, the one located on top of Phoenix, was erected between 1781 and 1835. Taoist monk Wu Laiqing and his assistants continued this work - and thus the Qiyun Cave arose. Local residents also got involved in the work - and after seventy-two years, they built the Dragon Gate and Datian Temple. According to legend, one of the craftsmen stayed here for twenty years while he carved the figure. However, when there was nothing left to complete the work, he suddenly made a reckless mistake. His grief was so great that he threw himself off the cliff. The path that runs along this cliff is so narrow that only two people can fit on it at one time. From this place you can see a stunning landscape - the surface of the lake sparkles under the sun, like a huge diamond.

The length of the shore of this lake is one hundred and fifty kilometers. It stretches from north to south for forty kilometers. The northern coast is occupied by arable land, and there are also settlements here. The lake stretches towards the south all the way to the horizon, and there is no end in sight.

Cuihu Jade Lake

This lake, which is fed by the waters of nine underground springs, is located in the northwestern part of Kunming, in a park with the same name. There is a pavilion in the center of the lake - it was built in the 17th century. There are two dams on the lake - one of them runs from north to east, it is crossed by three bridges, and it is known as the “Dam of the Governor of Rouen”. The second is called Tan Di, it was built in 1919, it stretches from east to west.

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Kunming is the administrative center of Yunnan Province. The history of Kunming has ancient roots. The first settlements in this place arose in the Paleolithic - they are approximately thirty thousand years old. Back in the third century BC, there was an outpost of Dianwanguo in these places (this was during the Warring States period) - later Kunming became the capital of this state. During the Tang (VII-X centuries AD) and Song (X-XIII centuries AD) dynasties, the “temporary capital” of the empire was located in this place for a total of 490 years, which is why Kunming received the nickname “Eastern Capital.” .

The rulers of the Mongolian Yuan dynasty settled here in 1275 AD, as a result of which Kunming again turned into the trade, financial, political and cultural center of the state. After the defeat of the Yuan troops took place and the rule of the Ming Dynasty (XIV - XVII centuries AD) was established in the Celestial Empire, the city was transformed into the administrative district of Yunnan. At that time, its current name, Kunming, arose. At the same time, these places were visited by the wandering Venetian Marco Polo, who designated Kunming as “a city of trade, arts and crafts, inhabited by pagans, Christians and Muslims.” In addition, there was another definition for Kunming - it is “the city of eternal spring” - it received it thanks to the favorable climate that persists in these places throughout the year.

Kunming and its surroundings contain a large number of ancient attractions. Most of all, foreign tourists are familiar with the buildings of the Tang Dynasty (VII - X centuries AD) - these are the Eastern Pagoda and the Western Pagoda - Dunsyta and Sisyta; one of the largest Buddhist buildings in Southeast Asia is the Yuantong Temple; Qingzhengusi Mosque; arch of the Golden Horse and arch of the Green Rooster; Zhenqing Square. Also very popular among vacationers are the Yunnan ethnic villages, which are located in the Dianchi and Jiuxiang regions, Xiling Park, as well as the snow-capped peaks of the Yulongwan and Luquan Jiaozi mountain ranges - here are such wonders as Jinxi - “Golden Temple”, panoramic park, Lühu - “ Green Lake", Zhusi - "Bamboo Temple", as well as Tanhua Temple.

East and West Pagodas

These pagodas are located in the southwestern part of Kunming. The East Pagoda was destroyed by an earthquake, but it was rebuilt in the nineteenth century. The Western Pagoda is more interesting. It is located on the bustling Dongjie Market Street. Old people usually prefer to relax around this pagoda - they play cards here, drink tea and talk with each other. It’s a very interesting time to spend time here, drinking tea and watching what’s happening nearby.

Yuantong Temple

This temple is the largest Buddhist complex in Kunming. The age of this building exceeds a thousand years. It was built at the end of the eighth century AD, at first it was called Butolo. However, during the wars in the twelfth century it was severely damaged, and in 1301 a new temple, Yuantong, was built on its bridge. The architecture of the building is impressive in its grandeur. There is a huge arch near the entrance. If you climb it, you can see the complex from a bird's eye view. From this arch there is a path to the pond, which is located in the central courtyard. There are bridges over this pond, and in its center there is an octagonal pavilion. A gallery stretches along the shoreline to the main building of the complex - the Yuantong Hall. The enormous size of the figure of Buddha Sansha, as well as the two dragons that entwined the columns, are amazing. Above the hall there are two old caves called Chaoyin and Yougu. According to legend, a monster used to live in them and kill people. To tame him, one of the monks built a sacrificial altar in front of them.

Arches of the Golden Horse and Green Rooster

These arches are located on Jinbi Street. They are 19.5 meters high and 14.7 meters wide. They are carved with the most famous landscapes in Kunming. In the central part of the upper crossbar there are the hieroglyphs “Jinma” - “Golden Horse” and “Biji” - “Green Rooster”. For five centuries, these arches have seen the rise and fall of Kunming. They were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and rebuilt in 1999. These arches were erected taking into account mathematical laws and astronomical knowledge. Before their destruction in the sixties, locals gathered here, expecting a miracle - in the afternoon for the "Mid-Autumn Festival". In the evening hour, between five and seven o'clock, on the day of the autumnal equinox, at a time when the sun was sinking to the horizon and the moon was rising from the east, the shadows cast by the two arches were united. Among the locals, this event was called “jinbijiaohui,” which means “unification of sunlight and moonlight.” This happened only once every sixty years. But historical records do not indicate the exact dates on which this happened, so it is unclear when to expect such a phenomenon again. However, people still expect it.

Zhenqing Square

The construction of this square - another wonder for tourists - began in 2001 and ended in 2003. This project is the largest designed to preserve the historical heritage of Kunming. In the center of the square there is a huge building - the Zhenwu Temple. It was erected during the Yuan era for the purpose of worshiping Emperor Zhenwu, who is a Taoist saint. Since the Ming Dynasty, this temple has been called the “Zhenqing Taoist Temple.” At the beginning of the Ming era, Taoism, which is the traditional religion of the Chinese, became very popular. The temple was repaired in 1431, and in 1441 it was expanded. In addition, during the Qing era, others such as Dulei and Yanling were built near this temple. In the first of them, sacrificial offerings were made to the gods of lightning and fire. The second one was built by a rich salt merchant in order to worship his ancestors. Zhenwu Temple is the largest ancient architectural complex in Kunming. Its architectural style combines the features of two dynasties - Ming and Qing. It is also interesting that this architecture incorporates the classic local features. The square is surrounded by the administrative, commercial and financial parts of Kunming. They plan to organize exhibitions on historical and cultural topics of the province at Zhenshin Square. In addition, there will also be - according to the creators' plans - an exhibition center where you can see handicrafts from Yunnan province. For cultural exchange, concerts of local opera and folk art groups will be held on the ancient stage between the buildings.

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Stone Forest

This beautiful place is located one hundred and twenty kilometers from Kunming and is known as the largest and most popular tourist attraction. This reserve was created in 1931, and in 1982 the State Council included it in the list of picturesque landscapes of the state - as a natural monument.

After the lowering of sea levels, which occurred several million years ago, as a result of movements of the earth's crust, deep cracks formed in the rocks, which were subject to erosion throughout this time. This Stone Forest consists of many bizarre rocks ranging from five to thirty meters in height, which are scattered over an area of ​​26 thousand hectares. Besides these rocky peaks, there are also caves, waterfalls and lakes. According to legend, the rocks were given to lovers as a place of solitude by Taoist immortals.

The rocks have interesting names - for example, “Ten Thousand Year Mushroom”, “Mother and Son”, “Camel on an Elephant”, “Buddha Stone”, “Rhinoceros That Looks at the Moon”, “Beautiful Girl Coming Out of the Water”.

Tourists can walk along the paths in this Stone Forest. The park consists of three parts. The first is the Lesser Stone Forest (Xiao Shilin), which is located near the northern entrance - there are a large number of grottoes here; The second is Wai Shilin; The park's most exciting attractions are located at Lotus Peak (Liang Huang Feng). From the Wang Feng Ting Pavilion, which is located at the top, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of this natural wonder - the Stone Forest. The best time to visit the park is in the evening, because then the rocks begin to cast amazing shadows. In the central part of the Lesser Stone Forest there is a meadow that covers an area of ​​two hectares - here on the twenty-fourth day of the lunar month the Torch Festival is held. This celebration lasts for 24 hours, during which time sports competitions take place. At night there is a procession with torches, accompanied by songs and dances.

Near the entrance to the park, vacationers will be able to purchase souvenirs - products of the Sani tribe - namely wallets, handbags, shoes and embroidery.

Thermal springs of Anyina

These thermal springs are located forty kilometers from the city, near the village of Anyin. They were discovered at the beginning of the Han Dynasty, but they began to be used only in the 15th century. The waters of the springs contain many minerals such as calcium, magnesium, sodium and others. Taking water procedures is most recommended for those people who suffer from skin diseases and rheumatism. The water has a temperature of 45 degrees.

Koshi Si Temple

This temple is located a kilometer west of the Anyin thermal springs. It was built in the Tang era. Subsequently, it was rebuilt several times - for various reasons. In the main hall, which was completed during the Song Dynasty, there is a figure of Buddha. This figure is credited with magical properties due to one very unusual phenomenon. Once every sixty years - on the evening of the fifteenth day of the eighth month according to Chinese chronology - a moonbeam, passing through a small window, falls directly on the middle of the Buddha's eyebrow and forms a point of light on it. Over time, as the Moon rises higher, the point moves until it reaches the Buddha's navel and disappears.

Western Xishan Mountains

The Western Mountains are approximately fifteen kilometers from Kunming. They stretched out in a wedge shape to the west of Lake Dianchi. These mountains are shaped like a girl whose locks of hair fall into the waters of a lake - for this reason they are also known as the Sleeping Beauty Mountains. The touching legend about these mountains and lake is known to every local resident. The girl, waiting for her beloved, cried for days, so much so that eventually a lake was formed from her tears, now called Dianchi.

Huating Temple.

Near the foot of the mountains is the Huating Temple. Previously, it was the country house of a noble family from Dali. In the 14th century it turned into a temple. Curious statues have been preserved within its walls - for example, two jasper figures of Buddha were donated by Burmese Buddhists, a gilded figure was donated by Thai believers, and a copper statue of the deity Zhunti has as many as three eyes and eighteen hands! In the corner of the park there is a garden with stupas. About a dozen of them are dedicated to deceased monks who lived here. The Haihui Tower is more interesting - it has two floors. Since the beginning of the 20th century, the spirits of the dead have lived in it. On weekends and holidays, locals come here with flowers, fruits and incense to worship the spirits of their ancestors. This is how they honor their memory. Due to the convenient location of Huating Temple, many locals bury their loved ones here. When you enter this temple, at that very moment you take your breath away and feel as if you have entered the other world. The urns containing the ashes appear ghostly in low light.

National village in Yunnan

The national village in Yunnan is located on the lakeside territory of Morskoy Crest and is separated from the forest park by water. The village was founded in 1992 and includes twenty-six national settlements. In our time, settlements have already been built by thirteen nationalities - Dai, Bulan, Bai, Wa, Jino, Yi, Nasi, Lagu, Hani, Tibetans, Jingbo, Deyang and Zhuang. Here is the National Rally Square, a hall where traditional song and dance concerts are held, a hall with a laser background and other buildings.

Kunming- the main city of Yunnan province, located in southwest China, on the northern shore of Lake Dianchi. Located in the center of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, at an altitude of 1891m. above sea level, Kunming has a unique microclimate, due to which it is called the “city of eternal spring”. There are no cold winters or hot summers here; flowers bloom all year round.
Kunming is a huge city, but apparently due to its remoteness, modern urban renewal is a little late compared to cities on the coast. Only in the last 5-7 years the city began to be actively built and rebuilt. Yunnan is the most multinational province of China; people live here whose culture is closer to Thai and Laotian, so the local residents are different in character from residents of other cities in China, especially coastal ones. They are lazier, less enterprising, they wake up later, but like all southern people they are kind, sympathetic and cheerful. The weather in Kunming is always good, not stuffy, not humid, not cold, not hot, so it is a great place for those who want to improve their health, especially for people over 50 who suffer from hypertension. One of the attractions of Kunming is the famous Shen Ai Chinese Medicine Clinic, where the best doctors in the province, representatives of ancient dynasties, work. When planning a trip to Kunming, you can use the services of a guide-interpreter from our company.

Climate: Kunming is located in subtropical latitudes, on a mountain plateau, thanks to this the winter is short and warm, the usual daytime temperature is +15*, spring, summer and autumn are not very different, the usual daytime temperature is +20-22*, in the summer +23-25*. It rarely rains.

Story: The first settlements on the shores of Lake Dianchi appeared about 4,000 years ago. Since 765, Kunming has been known as Tuodong, a city in the independent kingdom of Nanzhao. In the 13th century, the Mongol Kublai Khan gained control over all of China, he annexed these territories, and Kunming became the administrative center. The city developed during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) as a center for trade between the southwestern territories and the rest of China. During the uprisings of 1858-1868. the city was destroyed. A new stage of Kunming's development began in 1910 with the completion of the railway from North Vietnam. During World War II, factories and universities from eastern China were evacuated to Kunming, and a flood of refugees poured here, turning Kunming into an industrial and intellectual center. During the Cultural Revolution, intellectuals from Beijing and Shanghai were exiled here, which had a positive impact on the cultural image of the city.
Today Kunming is a major industrial and tourist center of China.

Transport: Kunming has a developed network of city buses, but due to the fact that the city is very large and the bus routes are long, it sometimes takes two hours to get from one part of the city to another. A metro is being built in the city. Taxi is the most convenient transport, the minimum cost of a trip is 10 yuan.

Southern Bus Station - Nanyao Qiche Keyunzhan (南窑汽车客运站).

Buses depart to Dali, Lijian, Xishuabanna.

Address: 60 BeijingLu, Kunming (behind Nanyao Railway Station).

Opening hours 6:30-21.30

Station Square - Kunming Huochezhan Qiche Keyunzhann 昆明火车Railway and bus station. From here you can go to Dali, Lijian, Shilin (stone forest).

In 2012, a new airport opened in Kunming.

Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) 昆明新机场.

Located 25 km from the city center.

Hello, dear readers – seekers of knowledge and truth!

Today we again want to go on a little trip with you and this time move to the Chinese city of Kunming, little known to foreign tourists. However, for the Chinese themselves it is an important tourist destination - the metropolis receives thousands of travelers every year. This is not surprising - there are a lot of interesting places to visit here, and it is them that we want to tell you about.

So, the topic of our conversation today is the sights of Kunming. At the beginning of our article we will tell you a little about the city, and then you will find a list of the most interesting places in the urban environment and its immediate surroundings. Forward, towards new discoveries!

About the city

Kunming is located in Yunnan Province and is its administrative center. It is quite easy to find on the map - it is located in the southern part of the People's Republic of China, not far from its southwestern neighbors. From the city to the border with Vietnam and Laos, it is only 300 kilometers, and the Myanmar border is 400 kilometers.

View of Kunming city, China

Despite the fact that Kunming is a large city with an area of ​​more than 20 thousand square kilometers and with a population of over 6 million inhabitants, it is a real island of nature and culture in China. There are a lot of lakes, rivers, parks, forests with endemic animals and plants, waterfalls, mountains - the list goes on for a long time. In addition, Kunming boasts magnificent buildings that contain centuries of history and indigenous culture.

Kunming is known throughout the world as the “city of eternal spring” for its exceptionally comfortable weather all year round. It is located at the same latitude as the Egyptian capital, but due to the fact that the altitude above sea level is more than two thousand meters, there is no unbearable heat here in summer, and in winter the climate is very mild.

The metropolis contains several universities, a large number of business centers, museums, exhibitions, theaters, but most importantly - natural attractions and temples. We will now talk about the most important of them.

Golden Temple

One of the hallmarks of the city, which rises on Mingfeng Mountain, is the Golden Temple. It belongs to the ancient religion of the Chinese - but was built relatively recently by the standards of Chinese history - at the very beginning of the 17th century.

Golden Temple, Kunming, China

Its construction was timed to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the reign of ruler Wan Li from the Ming dynasty. Legend has it that this temple appeared to the emperor in a dream, and then he decided to recreate it in reality.

After some time, the temple was partially destroyed, and in the 18th century the authorities decided to restore it. Then the restoration took more than two hundred tons of yellow bronze. Roofs, sculptures of deities, door and window openings, and load-bearing columns were re-made from it.

To reach the shrine, you need to climb a long and steep staircase. But the adventure is worth it - from above there is an incredible view of the hills covered with pine and cypress thickets.

The main hall is known as the "Shrine of Supreme Harmony", or the Palace of Teiha. The main relic in it is a sword. It is believed to be the property of a deity who protected the area according to the traditions of Taoism.

Yuantong Temple

Yuantong is the largest and most famous Buddhist temple in the city. It is located in the north of the city center, near Lofeng Hill. It is here that prominent Buddhists of the surrounding areas live.

Yuantong Temple, Kunming, China

The shrine was built back in the Tang era - between the 7th and 10th centuries, which makes it one of the oldest local buildings. Since then, it has been partially destroyed and rebuilt more than once. In architecture, the features of the Ming (XIV-XVII centuries) and Qing (until the beginning of the last century) dynasties are most clearly visible. Read more about these historical eras.

Yuantong has one amazing feature - the road to the main hall does not go up, but goes down steps, which is completely atypical for Chinese architecture. But inside everything is quite traditional: statues, mythical sculptural images that circle near the columns. Also on the temple grounds you can see a classic pond with bridges thrown over it, and a hall based on an octagon.

There are especially many visitors to the temple during the celebration of the Qingming festival, which is celebrated every 1st and 5th lunar day.

Bamboo Temple

Ten kilometers east of the center there is another Buddhist sanctuary - Qiongzhusi, better known as the Bamboo Temple. It began to be built back in 639, when the Yuan family, descendants of the Mongols, was in power. However, over time, the shrine was forgotten, and restoration began only in the first half of the 15th century.

Bamboo Temple, Kunming, China

But the temple achieved its greatest fame at the end of the nineteenth century, when the best sculptors from Sichuan were invited to Kunming. They did a great job and created a collection of five hundred figurines of Buddha's disciples from clay. These figures are striking in their realism: their faces depict genuine emotions and facial expressions, and their bodies seem frozen in natural poses.

The territory of the temple itself and the buildings are made in the best traditions of Buddhism: surrounded by Mount Yuanshan, a clear lake and ancient trees, it is located in a magnificent garden. The facades are decorated with animal sculptures and painted in bright colors: scarlet, white, sky and yellow.

In the main hall there are three monuments to the Great Teacher. In the garden you can see an amazing statue of a rhinoceros, as well as a stone slab on which one of the ruler’s decrees is inscribed. In total, the Bamboo Temple is visited by about five hundred thousand tourists annually.

Stone forests

Shilin, or Stone Forest, is located eighty kilometers east of the city. This is a truly unique phenomenon and a miraculous masterpiece - stones from five to thirty meters high, carved so thinly and gracefully that they resemble a forest. Although there are stones that are similar in outline not only to trees, but also to animals, birds, people, and mythical creatures.

Stone forest in Kunming, China

The fact is that about three hundred million years ago there was an ocean in this place, and salts and limestone settled at the bottom. Due to climate change and the movement of tectonic plates, the ocean disappeared, and on the former ocean floor there were stones that were weathered and exposed to rainfall over many centuries and millennia. The result was an amazing-looking tower and stone columns, which are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Shilin is divided into several zones:

• large and small stone forests;
• Naigu stone forest;
• Zhiyun caves;
• Quifeng Cave;
• lakes Long, Magic, Lunnoe;
• Da Dishui and Feilong waterfalls.

Moreover, in Shilin there are not only stones: for example, in a small forest there is a whole scattering of flowers, bamboo and bushes. Due to the fact that there are a lot of visitors here, a good tourist infrastructure has developed around with Chinese restaurants, souvenir shops, where, perhaps, the most valuable thing is the work of local artists.

Every year, Shilin hosts a torch festival, where, in addition to processions, bullfights and traditional lion and dragon dances are held.

Lake Dianchi

The largest lake and the undisputed attraction of the entire province is Dianchi. It is located on the southwestern outskirts of Kunming. Its dimensions are impressive: almost 40 kilometers in length (from north to south), 13 kilometers in width, and a total area of ​​over three hundred square kilometers.

Dianchi Lake, Kunming

But no less surprising is its appearance. The lake itself has taken the form of a crescent and is located in a very picturesque place - at an altitude of almost 1900 meters, surrounded by four mountains on each side of the world. The water in the lake seems crystal, almost pearly, and water reserves are replenished by two dozen spring streams and rivers.

Along the lake coast there are many places that are attractions in themselves:

• Daguan Park - consists of a garden with alleys, paths, arched bridges, and from a three-story pavilion, which is almost 130 years old, there are incredible views of the lake and the Western Hills.

Daguan Park, Kunming

• Ethnic Village of Yunnan Peoples - Here are collected cultural and architectural artifacts of twenty-five nationalities who have lived in the province since ancient times.
• Xishan Forest Park.
• Zhenghe Park.
• Daguanlou Tower.

There are many more attractions in Kunming that are worth visiting. Let's briefly talk about other interesting places.

• Eastern and Western pagodas.

They were built in the Tang era - in the middle of the 9th century. At first the pagodas were twins. However, the Eastern one was not able to be completely preserved almost in its original form, like the Western one - due to an earthquake in the 19th century, it was destroyed, but almost immediately restored.

Oriental Pagoda in Kunming

The pagodas were built according to all Buddhist traditions - of eleven tiers, with roofs rising upward, and the higher, the smaller each tier. Each floor has small windows that offer excellent panoramic views of the city surroundings.

• Arches of the Golden Horse and Green Rooster

These arches are unique city symbols with which legends are associated. They say that the horse came from the sun, and the rooster from the moon. They reunited solar and lunar energy, thereby making Kunming one of the best cities on our planet.

Arches of the Golden Horse and Green Rooster, Kunming

Both arches are similar to each other: they rise twenty meters high and reach almost fifteen meters wide. The best carvers worked on the buildings, and therefore even today they look majestic.

• Garden Art Fair

The fair was held twenty years ago from the beginning of May to the end of October. Then 95 countries all over the Earth, representing more than 10 million people, took part in it. After the fair closed, it was decided to turn the site into a park: artificial hills, rivers, islands were recreated here, and open gazebos and terraces were built.

• Yunnan Provincial Museum

At the main exhibition site of the region you can get acquainted with the historical and cultural tradition of the province. In total, it contains more than two hundred thousand different exhibits: from bronze vessels, calligraphic paintings and porcelain figurines to Buddhist relics.

The most important treasures of the museum can be called a painting by the Chinese artist Guo Xi “Journey to Mount Xishan”, dating from the 11th century, the crown of the Ming Empire of the 14th century, inlaid with jewelry, as well as a bronze box with carved sculptures of animals.

Conclusion

Kunming is a beautiful city that is definitely worth visiting as part of your trip to China. This modern metropolis is home to masterpieces of national culture in the form of museums, ethnic complexes, Buddhist and Taoist temples, as well as natural attractions, for example, the largest lake in the province, Dianchi Lake, stone forests, and numerous parks.

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