Kunming (昆明; Kūnmíng) is the capital of Yunnan Province in China. Known in China as the City of Eternal Spring, Kunming is at an almost-tropical latitude but with a 2000 m (6600 ft) altitude, which gives it a very temperate climate. However, in winter it has been known to snow, so if visiting in December–February, pack warm. Also, when it rains - it's cold. Because of the altitude, the UV rays in Kunming are quite harsh, and it is advised to stay protected from direct sunlight.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Kunming is one of the most important transport hubs of Southwest China. It is well connected to the rest of China by road, rail and air and also has good air links to Southeast Asia and a few outside the region. Some historic routes no longer exist. The old French-built railway to Vietnam is no longer in service, but a new railway along a similar route (Kunming to Hekou North 河口北), with regular passenger service, has been opened to replace it. There are also buses along that route, and a new fast rail link link all the way toVientiane, with an extension to Singapore perennially under discussion.
Kunming has generally good roads but they are often badly overloaded with traffic, and not only at peak times. By Western standards, the driving is often appalling; see Driving in China. For any journey by ground transport, a generous allowance for traffic delays is good planning. The metro system consists of five lines, with more under construction. The metro operates from approximately 07:00 to 22:00, and fares are ¥2–10 depending on distance traveled. To buy a single-journey ticket card, select your destination on one of the ticket machines and insert the required cash. The machines give change, but only accept paper money — no coins, cards, WeChat, or Alipay.
1 Burma Road History Museum (滇缅公路历史博物馆), Chunyu Road, Xishan District (西山区春雨路) (inside the Chunyu 937 Industrial Heritage Park (春雨937工业遗产文化街区); about 660 meters southwest of Dayu Road Station on Metro Line 3), ☏ +86 13888532558. A museum about the Burma Road. The museum was founded by Chen Daya, the author of a book about the Overseas Chinese drivers and mechanics who came to China to work on the Burma Road. The museum does not have a lot of artefacts, but has many photographs, illustrations and models. The most valuable and authentic item on display is an old case used for carrying items along the Burma Road.
1 Kunming Theater (昆明剧院; Kūnmíng Jùyuàn), 410 Qingnian Road, Wuhua District (五华区青年路410号; Wǔhuáqū Qīngniánlù) (about 630 metres walk from Jiaolan Bridge Station on Metro Line 2 and about 690 metres walk from Dongfeng Square Station at the intersection of Lines 2 and 3; buses that stop near the theater include bus nos. 1, 4, 50, 56, 77, 78, 83, 91, 112, 129, 133, 161, 189, 234 and a2), ☏ +86 871 63169950. 2 Yunnan Art Theater (云南艺术剧院), 132-134 Dongfeng West Road, Wuhua District (五华区东风西路132-134号; Wǔhuáqū Dōngfēngxīlù) (about 300 metres northwest of Wuyi Road Station on Metro Line 3; bus routes 5, 10, 26, 52, 66, 82, 84, 98, 116, 124 and k13), ☏ +86 871 63628996. 19:00-21:30.
Local specialties include: Over-the-Bridge Rice Noodles (过桥米线; guòqiáo mǐxiàn) is a typical Yunnan local flavor that could only be tasted in some parts of Yunnan. This famous dish consists of several courses and a big bowl of chicken soup with very thick oil on top to keep the heat for cooking the food items, including raw pork, cooked chicken pieces, pork liver, slices of squid and slices of carp for the first course to be dipped into the boiling hot soup. Vegetables are then added afterwards as the second course, and the rice noodles follow as the last course.
The main club area is in the Wuhua district, specifically Kundu Bar Street. Clubs are open until 05:30 or 06:00. There are probably more than 10 clubs to suit every style and taste. Soho (苏荷), In the Kundu Bar District. closes at 03:00. This is a popular national franchise bar. They have singers throughout the night and DJs to spin the music. The distinction this place has is that they don't hire bar girls. In most Chinese clubs, the hot girls you see work for the club to give the place an image or to sell you beer and sell more tables. The girls you see in this club are customers or brought by customers.
Kunming is in general a very safe city, and tourists are very unlikely to be victims of violent crime. It is generally not a problem for women to roam the streets alone at night. Just be sure to avoid the touts at the airport, train stations and tourist attractions as they are bound to rip you off. Instead, use public transport or a ride hailing app like Didi Chuxing. Otherwise, the biggest risk to tourists is the ever-present electric scooters; they are much quieter than motorcycles, though they will usually use their horn to let you know that they are coming. Dianchi Lake (滇池) is highly polluted. Do not swim in the lake or eat fish caught in it.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Jul, Kunming typically sees ~25°C daytime highs and 30 rainy days.
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