Kunming
China · Country profile
Kunming is the graceful capital of the Yunnan province of the south-west of China, the celebrated city of the eternal spring that sits on the high plateau at nearly two thousand metres above the sea. Shielded by the mountains and the lake of the Dianchi, it enjoys the mildest climate of the whole of the country, with the flowers of the city blooming through every season and the jacarandas shading the streets of the old quarters. It is the historic gateway of the south-west, the city of the tea-horse road, the equalist capital of the province and the base for the extraordinary landscapes of the Stone Forest, the valleys of the Tiger Leaping and the towns of the ancient waters. Green, mellow and easy to love, Kunming rewards a long, slow stay.
About Kunming
Kunming is a city in China. The city's documented population is around 8,500,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY) and Chinese is spoken; the dialling code is +86. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Kunming Changshui International Airport.
The Spring City of the Plateau and the Lake of the Dianchi
Kunming is a relaxed, walkable provincial capital, where the Green Lake of the centre, the old temples of the town and the bird market of the streets set the gentle daily rhythm. The day trips to the Stone Forest, the western hills of the lake and the terraced fields of the south-east make the classic excursions of the area, and the trains of the province reach the famous towns of the region in a couple of hours. The city is famous for the mildness of its weather, its noodle soups and its flower markets. It is the mellow base camp of the extraordinary landscapes of the Yunnan province.
The Mild Seasons, the Summer Rains and the Noodles of the Streets
The climate of Kunming is the mildest of the country, with the cool, dry winters, the warm, wet summer of the monsoon and the endless spring sunshine of the plateau. The yuan is the currency, the Mandarin the language, with the dialects of the province filling the markets and the buses. The old town, the temples and the lake make the core, while the Stone Forest and the mountain towns of the province stretch the stay into weeks. Light layers for the evenings and the rain gear for the summer storms complete the preparation, and the altitude asks for a gentle first day.
The Yuantong Temple, the Green Lake and the Trains of the Province
The temple of the Yuantong, the oldest grand temple of the city with its halls ranged around a mountain pond, and the street of the old markets of the town hold the historic heart of Kunming. The Green Lake of the centre, ringed by the tea houses and the flower stalls, is the living room of the city, where the elderly of the town sing and dance through the mornings. The short flights of the city reach the ancient towns of the Lijiang and the Dali and the monasteries of the mountains, and the famous flower auction of the plateau, the largest of Asia, fills the dawn of the capital.
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- Country
- China
- Population
- 8,500,000
- Coordinates
- 25.1019, 102.9292
- Capital
- Beijing
- Region
- Asia
- Currency
- Chinese Yuan (CNY)
- Languages
- Chinese
- Calling code
- +86
- Country code
- CN
Entry requirements for China
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting China for tourism.
Getting to Kunming
Airports we list for Kunming:
Other airports in the area:
- Chengdu Tianfu International AirportTFU≈ 598 km from Kunming
- Guangzhou Baiyun International AirportCAN≈ 1,068 km from Kunming
- Shenzhen Bao'an International AirportSZX≈ 1,139 km from Kunming
- Xi'an Xianyang International AirportXIY≈ 1,181 km from Kunming
- Shanghai Pudong International AirportPVG≈ 1,966 km from Kunming
Cities in China
Other cities we cover in China:
Frequently asked questions
Is Kunming the capital of China?
No — the capital of China is Beijing.
What currency do I need in Kunming?
The local currency is the Chinese Yuan (CNY). Languages spoken in China include Chinese.
What is the dialling code for China?
The international dialling code for China is +86.
Which airport should I fly into for Kunming?
Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) is the airport we list for Kunming.
How far is Kunming from the nearest airport?
Kunming is about 598 km from Chengdu Tianfu International Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit China?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Morocco (visa required) and United States (visa required). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Kunming? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.