Travel Guide

The Naigu Stone Forest Scenic Area is located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, and is an important part of the Shilin Scenic Area. It is famous for its unique karst landforms, where towering limestone pillars resemble petrified trees, forming a spectacular 'stone forest' landscape. Since 2007, Naigu Stone Forest, along with Suogeyi Village, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the South China Karst and has been rated as a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction. These landforms, formed by the weathering of limestone, are believed to be over 270 million years old and are a renowned tourist attraction for both domestic and international visitors.

Haigeng Dam is located on the shore of Dianchi Lake in Kunming City, and is a famous spot for enjoying the scenery of Dianchi Lake and feeding seagulls. Every winter, thousands of black-headed gulls fly here from Siberia to inhabit, attracting a large number of tourists.

The Shilin Scenic Area (Shilin) is a series of famous limestone formations covering an area of approximately 500 square kilometers, located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Yunnan Province, China. It is about 90 kilometers (56 miles) from the provincial capital Kunming. Towering rocks rise from the ground like stalagmites, many resembling petrified trees, creating the illusion of a stone forest. Since 2007, two parts of the site – Naigu Stone Forest and Suogeyi Village – have been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the South China Karst. The area is classified as a National AAAAA-level Tourist Attraction. These landforms were formed by the weathering of limestone and are believed to be over 270 million years old, making it a popular tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors.

Dianchi Lake, also known as Kunming Lake, is a fault lake located on the Pudu River-Xishan fault zone in Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China. It enjoys the reputation of 'Pearl of the Plateau' and is China's sixth-largest freshwater lake and Yunnan Province's largest lake. The lake is 40 kilometers long from north to south, with an average width of 7 kilometers and a maximum width of 12.5 kilometers. The lake surface is at an altitude of 1886 meters, and its coastline is 150 kilometers long. Dianchi Lake faces serious pollution problems.

The Former Site of National Southwestern Associated University is located in Kunming City, Yunnan Province. It was a national comprehensive university formed during the Anti-Japanese War (1938-1946) by the merger of National Peking University, National Tsinghua University, and Nankai University. At a time of national crisis, the faculty and students of these three universities moved south to Kunming and Mengzi, where they persevered in running the university under extremely difficult conditions, cultivating a large number of outstanding talents, including Nobel laureates Yang Chen-Ning and Tsung-Dao Lee. They made outstanding contributions to the survival and development of the Chinese nation. The former site is an important historical and cultural heritage and a patriotic education base.

Dounan Flower Market is Asia's largest fresh cut flower trading market, located in Dounan Street, Chenggong District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China. Every day, a large number of fresh flowers from all over the country and the world gather, trade, and are then distributed globally here. The market offers a wide variety of flowers, including roses, carnations, lilies, forget-me-nots, and more, making it a paradise for flower enthusiasts. The market is not only a trading hub but also a tourist attraction, where visitors can attend flower auctions, purchase fresh flowers, admire various floral arts, and experience its unique market culture.

Yunnan Wild Mushroom Hotpot is a specialty dish of Yunnan Province, primarily made with a wide variety of fresh wild edible mushrooms, simmered in a rich broth with chicken or pork ribs. Its soup base is fresh and mellow, with a rich assortment of mushrooms, unique texture, and high nutritional value, making it an unmissable dish to experience Yunnan flavor.

Pineapple Rice (Boluo fan) or Pineapple Rice is a method of preparing rice eaten by the Dai people in Yunnan Province, Southwest China. Glutinous rice (usually a mix of purple and white) is soaked overnight, then steamed for about an hour. A ripe pineapple is cut open at the top and the flesh is hollowed out, or it is cut in half lengthwise and the flesh is diced into small pieces.

Grilled Erkuai is a unique rice cake from Yunnan Province. The name Erkuai literally translates to "ear slice," referring to one of its common shapes. It is typically stir-fried with vegetables and a spicy sauce (made from a mixture of dried red chilies, Sichuan peppercorns, and salt). It is also sold as a popular street snack, where Erkuai is grilled, wrapped around a Chinese cruller (youtiao), and seasoned with sweet or savory condiments, creating a wrap-like snack similar to a burrito. Sweet grilled Erkuai contains sweet brown sauce and peanuts, while savory grilled Erkuai is spread with fermented bean curd and bean sprouts, along with various other ingredients. Grilled Erkuai is particularly popular in the tourist areas of Dali.

Steam Pot Chicken is one of Yunnan's famous dishes, named for being steamed in a special steam pot. Its unique cooking method utilizes steam circulation to fully preserve the chicken's freshness and nutrients in the soup. The broth is clear, the chicken is tender, and the taste is delicious.

Hot and Sour Rice Noodles is a distinctive snack originating from the southwestern region of China. It features rice noodles as the main ingredient, paired with a sour and spicy soup base and rich toppings. Its unique sour and spicy flavor is widely loved, making it a common street food.

Yiliang Roast Duck is a specialty dish from Yiliang County, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, often considered one of the representatives of Yunnan cuisine. It is famous for its unique preparation techniques and flavor, with tender duck meat, crispy skin, and a rich taste.