Attractions · Kunming

Stone Forest Scenic Area lies in Shilin Yi Autonomous County about 78 km southeast of Kunming. In 2007 it was inscribed as a World Natural Heritage site as part of the first phase of 'South China Karst', and it is a national 5A-level tourist attraction. The limestone here formed about 270 million years ago in the Permian period, and long dissolution, weathering and faulting have packed sword-, pillar- and tower-shaped stone peaks into a vast karst landscape. The scenic area comprises the Major Stone Forest with its tall peaks, the quieter, smaller Minor Stone Forest and the more pristine Naigu Stone Forest; visitors follow paths through stone lanes, lakes and cliff inscriptions. The local Sani people are a branch of the Yi, and both the Torch Festival and the Ashima legend originate here; from the viewing platform you can look over the whole sea of stone. Highlights include the Ten-Thousand-Year Lingzhi. Tip: a guide can explain how the stone forest formed and its legends. Practical info: located at Shilin Avenue, Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming, Yunnan; ticket ¥130; opening hours 07:30–18:00.

Tip: A guide can explain how the stone forest formed and its legends. The area is large, so wear comfortable shoes.

• Address: Shilin Avenue, Shilin Yi Autonomous County, Kunming, Yunnan
• Ticket: ¥130
• Opening: 07:30–18:00

The new building of Yunnan Provincial Museum stands on Guangfu Road in Guandu District and opened in 2015, with a floor area of more than 60,000 square metres. Its collection numbers more than 230,000 artefacts, and permanent exhibitions include 'Ancient Yunnan', 'Light of Civilisation', 'Hegemony in the South', 'Land of Fragrant Buddhism', 'Opening the Frontier' and 'A Century of Storms'; ancient Dian bronze wares, Nanzhao and Dali Buddhist sculptures, and ethnic minority costumes and crafts are the focus. The best entry point for understanding Yunnan's 'unity in diversity', it holds ancient Dian bronzes, Nanzhao and Dali Buddhist art, ethnic minority costumes and Nie Er-related collections; entry is free, it is on the same line as Guandu Ancient Town, and it makes a good indoor half-day on a rainy day. Highlights include Nanzhao and Dali Buddhist sculptures and the general history of Yunnan. Tip: enter after reserving and follow the timeline from earliest times to the modern era; it is on the same line as Guandu Ancient Town — allow at least 2–3 hours. Practical info: located at 6393 Guangfu Road, Guandu District, Kunming; free entry (reservation required); opening hours 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays, last entry 16:00).

Tip: Enter after reserving and follow the timeline from earliest times to the modern era; it is on the same line as…

• Address: 6393 Guangfu Road, Guandu District, Kunming
• Ticket: Free (reservation required)
• Opening: 09:00–17:00 (closed Mondays, last entry 16:00)

Dianchi Lake lies south of Kunming and is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan, covering more than 300 square kilometres at an elevation of about 1,886 metres; it is known as the 'pearl of the plateau'. Sun Ranweng's long couplet at Daguan Tower in the Qing dynasty opens with 'five hundred li of Dianchi rush before my eyes', capturing the beauty of lake and hills. The lake is divided into Caohai and Waihai; at the northern end, Haigeng Park and Haigeng Dam on the Caohai shore, together with Dragon Gate in the Western Hills and the western shore, form Kunming's classic lakeside route. Each year from November to March, tens of thousands of black-headed gulls migrate south from Siberia to winter here, with the peak from December to February; Cuihu Park and Haigeng Dam are the two liveliest watching spots. Urban expansion and eutrophication once degraded the water quality, but years of sewage interception, water diversion and wetland restoration have brought waterbirds and reeds back to the lakeside wetlands. Highlights include the sunset over Dianchi. Tip: winter is the best season for gull-watching, and you can buy bread to feed them. Practical info: located at Dianchi Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan; free entry; open all day.

Tip: Winter is the best season for gull-watching, and you can buy bread to feed them.

• Address: Dianchi Road, Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan
• Ticket: Free
• Opening: Open all day

The Western Hills, also called Bijia Mountain, run along the west bank of Dianchi about ten kilometres from the city centre. The mountain outline resembles a reclining beauty, which Kunming people call the 'Sleeping Beauty'. The most famous sight is the Dragon Gate carvings: from the Qing dynasty, stonemasons cut steps, stone gateways and grottoes into the sheer cliff, work that continued for years, and from the end of the route the lake and city open out below. Two old temples, Huating Temple and Taihua Temple, nestle among pines and cypresses, and the tomb of Nie Er, composer of the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, lies at the foot of the hill for visitors to pay their respects. You can walk up the winding road, take the scenic-area cable car or the toboggan; on a clear day, reaching Dragon Gate before sunset frames the lake and evening glow together, and the route is usually combined with Haigeng Dam and Yunnan Ethnic Village for half a day or a full day. Highlights include the Dragon Gate cliff carvings, the panoramic view of Dianchi, Huating and Taihua temples, and Nie Er's tomb. Tip: the mountain paths have many steps, so wear non-slip, comfortable shoes; light is best early morning or late afternoon, with backlight at noon. Practical info: located at Western Hills Scenic Area (west bank of Dianchi), Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan; scenic area free, with Dragon Gate carvings, cable car and shuttle bus charged separately (subject to the year's official notice); opening hours 08:00–17:30.

Tip: The mountain paths have many steps, so wear non-slip, comfortable shoes; light is best early morning or late a…

• Address: Western Hills Scenic Area (west bank of Dianchi), Xishan District, Kunming, Yunnan
• Ticket: Scenic area free; Dragon Gate carvings, cable car and shuttle bus charged separately (subject to the year's official notice)
• Opening: 08:00–17:30