Yunnan Tourism: Into the Spring City Kunming (Photos)
As the capital of Yunnan Province, known for its spring-like climate year-round, Kunming was the final stop on the reporter's November 2005 trip with China Railway Travel's Hunan-Yunnan-Guizhou special train. This was also the third visit to this beautiful city, following previous trips in April 1994 and December 1998.
Kunming Railway Station (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
At 8:20 a.m. on November 1, 2005, when the China Railway special train arrived at Kunming Station, tourists were delighted to find the familiar smiling faces of the local tour guides, whom they had parted with just four days earlier, waiting on the platform. They warmly welcomed the Beijing guests, who had successfully returned from Dali and Lijiang, back into Kunming.
Xishan Scenic Area (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
One after another, Golden Dragon buses full of tourists drove out of Kunming Railway Station. According to the itinerary, the tour group would visit the Xishan Scenic Area and the Kunming World Horticultural Exposition Garden in Kunming.
Kunming Expo Garden (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Kunming has a history of over 2,400 years. It is the political, economic, cultural, scientific, educational, and transportation center of Yunnan Province. It is also a famous historical and cultural city and an excellent tourist city in China.
Xishan Sightseeing Cable Car (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Kunming is situated in the central part of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with an elevation of 1,891 meters at the city center. It borders Dianchi Lake to the south and is surrounded by mountains on three sides. It has a low-latitude plateau mountainous monsoon climate. Influenced by the warm and humid southwest airflow from the Indian Ocean, it enjoys long sunshine hours, a short frost period, and an average annual temperature of 15°C. The climate is mild, with no severe heat in summer and no harsh cold in winter. It is like spring all year round, earning it the renowned name of "Spring City."
Reflection of the Moon on Rippling Waters (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Every year from December to March, a flock of black-headed gulls, escaping the cold winds of the northern sea, fly thousands of miles to roost in Kunming. In Green Lake Park (Cuihu), the sight of large flocks of birds is a unique and beautiful scene of the Spring City.
Vast Dianchi Lake (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The total area of Kunming is about 15,560 square kilometers, of which the urban area is about 98 square kilometers. The total population is 4 million. All 26 ethnic groups of Yunnan Province reside in Kunming.
Xishan Yaocheng Pavilion (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Kunming is also a gathering place for natural and cultural landscapes. Its long history and unique geological structure have left Kunming with numerous cultural relics and scenic spots. Kunming is a developing international tourist city, now forming a multifunctional tourist destination centered on the World Expo, integrating natural scenery and ethnic customs, suitable for visits in all seasons.
Dragon Gate Scenery (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The tour group first arrived at the Xishan Scenic Area, located 15 kilometers from the center of Kunming. The Xishan area is adjacent to the western shore of Dianchi Lake. According to legend, a phoenix once perched here, but onlookers did not recognize it and called it a green chicken, hence the name Biji Mountain.
Group Photo at Xishan (Photo by Wang Jue)
Xishan stretches from Biji Pass in the north to Hui Bay in the south, composed of Biji Mountain, Huating Mountain, Taihua Mountain, Taiping Mountain, Luohan Mountain, and others. It rises gently from north to south, reaching an elevation of about 2,507.2 meters. The highest peak, Luohan Mountain, is over 620 meters above the surface of Dianchi Lake. Due to its shape resembling a reclining Buddha, it is also called Reclining Buddha Mountain.
Overlooking Kunming City (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Overlooking Dianchi Lake from Xishan is one of the best spots to enjoy its beauty. Dianchi Lake is a plateau limestone fault lake formed under the influence of the Tertiary Himalayan movement. It has an elevation of 1,886 meters, a length of 39 kilometers from north to south, a width of 13.5 kilometers from east to west, an average width of about 8 kilometers, a shoreline of about 200 kilometers, a lake area of 318 square kilometers, a maximum depth of 8 meters, an average depth of 5 meters, and a storage capacity of about 1.57 billion cubic meters. It is the largest of Yunnan's many lakes and ranks sixth among inland lakes in China.
Grotto on the Cliff (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Xishan is covered with dense forests, abundant flowers and plants, and is serene and beautiful, earning it the ancient reputation of "the finest scenery in Central Yunnan." Viewed from the southeast of Kunming, Xishan resembles a beautiful woman lying on the western shore of Dianchi Lake. Her head, chest, abdomen, and legs are clearly visible, with her green hair drifting in the sparkling waves of Dianchi, appearing graceful and charming, hence also known as the Sleeping Beauty.
Plank Walkway at Dragon Gate Grotto (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The Dragon Gate Grotto is one of Xishan's most famous scenic attractions. Located at the end of the Xishan scenic area, starting from Sanqing Pavilion in the north to Datian Pavilion in the south, it is the largest and most exquisite Taoist grotto in Yunnan. "The Dragon Gate Scenic Spot" is characterized by "strangeness, uniqueness, danger, and seclusion," ranking first among the many scenic spots of Xishan in Kunming and enjoying high fame both domestically and internationally. Almost all tourists visiting Kunming come here. Hence the saying, "If you haven't been to Xishan, you haven't really been to Kunming; if you haven't been to Dragon Gate, you've wasted your trip to Xishan."
Xishan Dragon Gate (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The Dragon Gate Grotto was carved between 1781 and 1853 AD, taking 72 years. It was completed in three phases by Wu Laiqing, Yang Rulan, and Yang Jitai, who organized many stonemasons. This grotto was carved entirely by hand along the steep cliffs, using hammers and chisels. It includes stone carvings, platforms, a stone archway, stone chambers, couplets, statues, ceilings, stone walls, altars, incense burners, candlesticks, and offerings. The structure is beautifully arranged and finely carved. The statues of Kuixing, Wenchang, and Guansheng inside are all carved from the natural rock, appearing miraculously crafted.
Viewing Dragon Gate from Afar (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Upon entering Dragon Gate, there is a cylindrical stone archway inscribed with the characters "Dragon Gate" and carved with a "gold ingot" (yuanbao), which is said to bring wealth and good fortune. Visitors like to touch it. Inside, there is a semicircular moon terrace guarded by a stone railing. Standing on the terrace, one feels the sky above and faces a sheer cliff below, overlooking the vast Dianchi Lake with misty waves and clouds. White sails dot the lake surface, and orioles fly and swallows dance.
Memorial Stone (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
In the distance, the green mountains are like eyebrows, white clouds drift leisurely, green trees and white houses, flat fields and fertile land present a picturesque scene, making one feel as if floating in the air. Turning around to look at the stone chamber, the top of the main entrance is inscribed with the characters "Datian Pavilion." The side doors are inscribed with "Famous Mountain" and "Stone Chamber," and "Sky Mirror Reflecting the Sea." A couplet on the central pillar reads: "Every step is difficult, you must stand firmly; standing on the clouds, it is even more important to keep a calm heart."
Xishan Datian Pavilion (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
At the entrance of the stone chamber, there is a carved incense burner for offerings. In the center is carved Kuixing, the Taoist deity in charge of literature, also known as the Wenqu Star. To the north is Wenchang Dijun, the deity in charge of fame and official rank. To the south is Guansheng Dijun (Guan Yu), the deity in charge of subduing demons and evil spirits. On the two walls are carved galloping divine horses, and on the ceiling are carved auspicious clouds and flying cranes.
Xishan Dragon Gate Rubbing (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
A peach tree with green leaves and red fruits is carved vividly. The entire Dragon Gate project is exquisitely carved from a single natural rock, with ingenious conception and superb craftsmanship, leaving visitors in awe. However, careful observation reveals that the tip of the brush in Kuixing's hand is an addition.
Touching the Gold Ingot at Dragon Gate (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Legend has it that a master craftsman involved in carving the stone chamber had an unhappy marriage. Later, he joined the Dragon Gate carving project and worked hard with his companions for over ten years. While carving the red brush in Kuixing's hand, he accidentally broke the tip, leaving an imperfection in an otherwise perfect work of art. Overwhelmed with grief, he jumped off Dragon Gate. The moving story of his dedication to art has been passed down through generations alongside the grotto.
Nie Er's Tomb (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Tourists first take the cable car to the back entrance of Xishan. From there, they enter the scenic area and descend along the mountain, with the vast Dianchi Lake on one side and steep cliffs on the other. Entering the Dragon Gate area, they must descend through a narrow cave that allows only one person to pass, adding a unique charm. Following the path down from Dragon Gate to the bottom, they arrive at the main entrance of Xishan.
Statue of Musician Nie Er (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
At the main entrance of the Xishan Scenic Area lies the tomb of the people's musician, Nie Er. Nie Er's original tomb was built on the slope of Gaoqiao Mountain in the spring of 1938. It was relocated to Xishan in May 1980. In January 1988, it was designated as the third batch of national key cultural relics protection units by the State Council.
Nie Er's Tomb (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Nie Er's tomb is shaped like a piano, solemn and dignified. Seven flower beds represent the heptatonic scale, and 24 stone steps represent Nie Er's age of 24. The design is ingenious and meaningful. In front of the tomb stands a white marble statue of Nie Er. The relief on the retaining wall behind depicts the glorious times of the Chinese people uniting and fighting forward to the tune of the "March of the Volunteers" during the War of Resistance.
Group Photo at the Horticultural Exposition Garden (Photo by Liu Jie)
Leaving the Xishan Scenic Area, the tour group headed to the World Horticultural Exposition Garden, located about 4 kilometers from downtown Kunming. The Kunming Expo Garden covers an area of about 218 hectares, with a vegetation coverage rate of 76.7%, including 120 hectares of gentle slopes with dense shrubs, and water surfaces accounting for 10% to 15%. Nine countries and international organizations have built their own themed exhibition gardens here. Many provinces and cities in China have also set up exhibition venues that reflect the garden art of their regions. It can be said that this is a super-large expo venue gathering horticultural landscapes from around the world.
Five-Continent Flower Pillar (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The Expo Garden consists of the China Pavilion, the Grand Greenhouse, the Human and Nature Pavilion, the Science and Technology Museum, the International Pavilion, and outdoor exhibition areas. It concentrates a variety of distinctive Chinese and foreign architectures, reproducing the organic integration of beautiful nature and modern technology, reflecting the horticultural styles and development levels of various countries. The Expo Garden is not only a grand view garden of world horticulture but also a sea of flowers and a world of flowers...
Jiangnan Garden (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Due to the enormous size of the Kunming Expo Garden, it was almost impossible to tour it completely in the mere two hours of the afternoon. So the reporter chose to visit the China Pavilion, the International Horticultural Exhibition Area, the Human and Nature Pavilion, and the Vegetable and Fruit Garden. Even so, time still felt tight.
Taiwan Garden Exhibition Area (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The China Pavilion has a total floor area of 19,927 square meters and covers an area of 33,000 square meters. It was the largest indoor exhibition hall of the '99 World Expo. Together with the Human and Nature Pavilion and the Grand Greenhouse main square (New Century Square), it forms the main venue area of the Expo. The architectural style of the China Pavilion combines Han Dynasty palace architecture with southern folk house architecture. Green tiles and white walls: green represents life and symbolizes horticulture, while white represents peace and harmony.
Float Parade (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
In the Expo Garden, the Chinese exhibition gardens and international exhibition gardens are popular spots for tourists to take photos. These two outdoor exhibition gardens showcase representative famous landscapes from various regions. The domestic exhibition gardens bring together famous scenic spots from all municipalities, provinces, autonomous regions, administrative regions, and Taiwan.
International Exhibition Garden Sudan (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The International Exhibition Area displays representative landscapes from countries around the world. Here, through different regions, it showcases characteristic architecture or scenery from 32 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Russia, Japan, Vietnam, India, Egypt, Israel, Australia, and others, representing Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas. Tourists walking through feel as if they have gone abroad.
Entrance of the International Pavilion (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The Human and Nature Pavilion uses the triangle of the ancient ecological plant clover as the basic unit, pieced together to form three hexagons. The building structure uses a stainless steel grid frame with strong regularity and free spatial division. The roof uses decorative composite aluminum panels. The building height is 15 meters. The total floor area is 4,953 square meters, covering an area of 19,148 square meters, with a paved area of 1,800 square meters, a green area of 6,290 square meters, and a landscape water area of 6,100 square meters.
Netherlands in the Exhibition Garden (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The Vegetable and Fruit Garden features a rich variety of species that dazzle visitors. The theme is "Vegetables and fruits are an important food source for human survival." It mainly showcases China's agricultural development, promotes China's diverse vegetable and fruit varieties, and advocates for wild, side-effect-free vegetables and fruits grown without chemical fertilizers or pesticides.
United States in the Exhibition Garden (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The Vegetable and Fruit Garden primarily uses outdoor living cultivation for display. The exhibits include about 85 varieties of vegetables, about 99 varieties of fruit trees, and about 20 varieties of melons. Particularly, some oversized fruits and vegetables leave tourists in awe.
Vegetable and Fruit Garden (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The vastness of the Kunming Expo Garden meant that most tourists could not visit all areas. This more or less left a slight regret for the entire Kunming trip. It is believed that if people have another opportunity to visit the Spring City, they will definitely come to the Kunming World Horticultural Exposition Garden for a thorough look.
Group Photo at Kunming Event (Photo by Wu Ling)
Time flies, and 12 years passed in an instant. On November 10, 2017, the reporter came to Kunming again to cover the "2017 China Cycling League Yunnan Kunming Finals and Kunming Circum-Dianchi Lake Plateau Cycling Invitational."
Riding along Dianchi Lake (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
The three-day cycling event around Dianchi Lake allowed the reporter to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Dianchi up close, far more impressive than the distant view from the Dragon Gate Grotto during the previous trip.
Dianchi Lake Scenery (Photo by Feng Ganyong)
Especially due to the event, the reporter, riding a motorcycle with the cyclists on a completely closed section of beautiful roads along Dianchi Lake, felt an incredible sense of pleasure...
Reporter Covering the Event (Photo by Zi Qi)
At that moment, the boundless and beautiful scenery of Dianchi Lake unfolded right before the eyes. With the wind roaring past the ears, the perfect combination of speed and passion was vividly expressed. (Text and photos by Feng Ganyong)
