Check out our guide to life in Kunming
If great weather’s your thing, head to Kunming. It’s known as ‘the City of Eternal Spring’ due to the lovely climate and beautiful flowers that bloom all year ‘round. Kunming is made up of a modern commercial district and an old city that was once surrounded by walls. On the outskirts of town, you’ll find one of the largest bronze temples in China, which was built in the Mind Dynasty. Kunming is known for its universities, medical college, and its astronomical observatory. It’s an important transport hub and trade centre for the region as it connects southeast Asian countries with China.
Kunming Fast Facts
Prefecture-level city
Settled – 279 BCE
Population – 6,626,000
Kunming Weather
Hottest Month June (21 °C avg)
Coldest Month January (10 °C avg)
Wettest Month July (142.9 mm avg)
Windiest Month March (13 km/h avg)
Annual Rainfall 570.9 mm (per year)
10 Things to See and Do in Kunming
Stone Forest
Amazing limestone growths form this geological ‘forest’, plus there’s a hot spring and a lake.
Dian Lake
Visit the north side of the lake for amusement parks, food stalls, cable cars and a market.
Yuantong Temple
See ancient Buddhist temple architecture and statues, cliff carvings, gardens, and caves.
Yunnan Ethnic Village
Experience the charm and beauty of a village devoted to showcasing China’s ethnic cultures.
Golden Temple Park
A 14-ton bell and intricate architecture feature at this 17th-century bronze Taoist temple.
Nanping Pedestrian Street
If great shopping, tea and dining is your thing, head out to the Nanping Pedestrian street.
Green Lake
Enjoy beautiful gardens and lakes, live performances and nearby restaurants and shops.
Yiliang Jiuxiang Scenic Area
Take an adventure with guided tours through a colourfully lit, underground cave system.
Jiaozi Snow Mountain
If you like hiking, great views and skiing, Jiaozi Snow Mountain is the place to visit in winter.
Qiongzhu Temple
Colourful Buddhist temple featuring clay sculptures and a great collection of Chinese poetry.
Cost Of Living
| ITEM | RMB | GBP | AUS | RAND |
| Cinema | 30 | 3.43 | 6.26 | 62.67 |
| Water | 1 | 0.11 | 0.21 | 2.09 |
| Beer in a bar | 12 | 1.37 | 2.50 | 25.07 |
| Beer in a shop | 4 | 0.46 | 0.83 | 8.36 |
| Coke | 3.50 | 0.40 | 0.73 | 7.31 |
| Meal at a cheap restaurant | 25 | 4.00 | 5.22 | 52.22 |
| Meal at an average restaurant | 40 | 4.57 | 8.35 | 83.56 |
| Meal at a high end restaurant | 60 | 6.85 | 12.52 | 125.34 |
| Gym per month | 245 | 27.97 | 51.14 | 511.79 |
| City bus | 3 | 0.34 | 0.63 | 6.27 |
| Monthly utility bills (electricity, heating, water, rubbish) | 195 | 22.27 | 40.70 | 407.35 |
| Loaf of bread | 14 | 1.60 | 2.92 | 29.25 |
