Kunming

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Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: 25.051001
• Longitude: 102.702011

On Travellerspoint

• 6 Kunming Hostels
• 5 Kunming Hotels

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Introduction

Kunming - Centre at night

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Kunming (昆明) is the capital of Yunnan Province. It is known as the "City of Eternal Spring" because of its year-round sunshine and pleasant, moderate climate. An easy-going and convenient hub for travel in Yunnan, Kunming has a population of around 6 million. It's also noticeably unpolluted for a Chinese city of this size.

Sights and Activities

• The Flower and Bird Market is where a selection of weird and wonderful birds, animals and plants are sold.
• The Central Square is particularly interesting early in the morning when hundreds of local residents enjoy public co-ordinated tai chi sessions.
• Cuihu Park is a large natural park very close to Kunming with a lake and nice scenery.

Weather

The temperature is pleasant all year, from a daytime average of about 16 °C in winter to about 24 °C in summer. Rainfall is higher during the summer months, but there are plenty of hours of sunshine all year round.

Getting There

By Plane

The Kunming Wujiaba International Airport (KMG) has flights to most major cities in China, as well as to other parts of Asia. Some of the major local airlines servicing this airport are Air China, China Eastern Airlines and China Southern Airlines. There are several foreign airlines flying into Kunming, which include Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Silk Air, Thai Airways and Vietnam Airlines.

By Train

Direct trains to destinations including Beijing, Shanghai, Guilin, Chengdu, Guiyang and Nanning, also to Hanoi in Vietnam.

By Car

If you have access to a car, Kunming is well connected to other large cities by modern, major highways.

By Bus

Buses to many major cities across China. There are also many buses to local destinations within Yunnan, including Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-La.

Getting Around

By Public Transport

Buses are many and frequent. Taxis are cheap and convenient.

By Foot

By Bike

Eat

There are plenty of opportunities for cheap, tasty food. One option is a small cluster of noodle-and-dumplings places to the north of the central square. The street markets offer interesting snacks to the adventurous. If you're craving Western food, there are a few Western and fusion places on Dongfeng Lu, East of the Central Square.

Drink

Sleep

Budget

• The Hump Hostel is a nice cheap city centre hostel. This place has big dorms and a buzzing bar. The Hump Hostel is located at Jinmabiji Square, Jinbi RD (金碧路金碧) Telephone: 871-3640359.

• The Cloudland Youth hostel is a quiet hostel although a little bit more expensive when compared to The Hump. The Cloudland is located at No 23 Zhuan Tang Lu (篆搪路23号) Telephone: 871-4103777.

Mid-Range

The Western travellers favourite is the Camellia Hotel which offers a range of accomodation from small dorms to fairly nice doubles. If you book a room here, ask for it to be at the front of the hotel - these rooms are refurbished and double-glazed, the ones at the back of the hotel are scruffy and cost the same.

Upscale

There are plenty of top-end 4- and 5- star hotels in Kunming, including the monstrous and shiny Kai Wah Plaza International, and the Green Lake Hotel.

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