Rush into Spring, Go! Must-Visit Spring Outing Spots!

“Where is spring? Where is spring?” Spring, right now, is in Kunming.

Kunming, widely known as the “Spring City,” has already burst into bloom. While people in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanghai are still clinging to the last remnants of winter’s chill, Kunming is warm and floral. Girls on the streets have swapped into light dresses, willow branches along the roadsides are budding with dark-red tips, and peach blossoms, cherry blossoms, and winter jasmine in parks and by the roadsides are unfurling in the brilliant, warm sunshine…

Why not grab a few friends and head out on such a fine spring day? That’s why I’ve specially picked a few spring outing spots just for you!

Kunming Sunac Dianchi Houhai

I stumbled upon this new spot by chance. I entered through an entrance beside the Caohai Tunnel and found a town brimming with ethnic charm. The architecture is designed according to the traditions of various ethnic groups; there’s Yi People Square, Dai performances, folk song and dance shows—the local flavor is thick and beautifully blends with the essence of Yunnan. We strolled along the streets until we reached a small lake halfway through. A few wooden boats floated on the water, and someone slowly paddled one along. Bathed in sunlight, it felt so serene, as if time itself had slowed down.

The park has lush greenery and a wide variety of flowers, including peonies, daisies, plum blossoms, cherry blossoms, and many more—a feast for flower lovers. At its heart, there’s a small lake, a suspension bridge, wind chimes, boats, and other classic Chinese elements. Cherry trees line both sides of the streets neatly, and daisies dot the lawns. Under blue skies and white clouds, with green plants and lake-view floral landscapes, walking here is simply delightful.

Beside it, there’s a wetland park that isn’t fully completed yet, but the vegetation is already quite lush. It’s something to look forward to when it opens. Best of all, entry to the area is free!

Beyond the flowers, there are also two amusement parks to enjoy: an Ocean World and a Snow World.

Ocean World lets you admire rare marine animals and offers plenty of fun activities, such as “Fly Over Yunnan,” treehouse climbing, and the Flower Mirror Drift. There are also many captivating shows like “Beluga Love,” “Mermaid Golden Storm,” and the Dolphin Theater—all great fun~

Inside Snow World, there are three ski slopes of varying difficulty so you can choose one that suits you.

Even with kids, there’s plenty to do: ice bumper cars, snow slides, interactive snowy trees, snow tanks, and an ice sculpture area—all perfect for family fun.

Snow World lets you ski, have snowball fights, and admire ice sculptures in springtime. Playing with snow when everything outside is blooming is a truly rare experience!

There are also many delicious eateries inside the park, perfect for spring.

One shop is entirely decorated in blue, fresh and full of spring vibes~

They serve creative Taiwanese cuisine. The flavors are on the lighter side, but every dish is distinctive.

1. You tiao stuffed with shrimp: a sweet-and-sour creation. Crispy fried dough on the outside wrapping springy shrimp meat—great texture, and you can pop one whole in your mouth.

2. Chicken feet: intensely flavorful and the bones slip right off. Soft and sticky, with a rich taste.

3. Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings): their specialty, with a generous amount of savory broth and filling.

The braised pork trotters and red-braised pork ribs are also excellent, and the service is warm and friendly~

A top-notch affordable Japanese diner!

Setting: minimalist Japanese décor, with a view of the yet-to-be-completed wetland park outside the window. The background inside has anime touches, and the music is mainly anime soundtracks. As soon as you step in, music from Ghibli animations plays—so atmospheric!

Food: The menu is vast, and the prices are incredibly wallet-friendly! Their small sides are only 5 yuan for a heaping plate—incredible value! For sides, I recommend the spicy clam.

I strongly suggest the nougat ice cream: incredibly smooth, sweet but not cloying, so delightful. It’s 12 yuan for five pieces, and just one or two are enough to satisfy.

For sashimi, you can order the “Moonlight Box.” When they open the lid at the table, a waft of chilled mist rises, as if you’ve truly opened a treasure chest. Each item inside has about 3–4 pieces; I already ate a shrimp before taking the photo. If there’s something you don’t like, you can order à la carte. The sea bream sashimi is only 19.9 yuan—and the portions are generous. Unbeatable value!

The ramen broth is fresh and savory, very tasty.

The “Youshuang Ruhun” thick-cut fries are especially good, with a rich sauce.

Two people can barely finish all this; the portions are quite generous.

Sunac Land truly is an unbeatable choice for a spring outing!

Other spring outing spots include:

Kunming Dianchi South Shore Beach Theme Park

Sunshine, waves, sandy beaches, palm trees, a coastline… Kunming now has its own “Bali”! Dianchi’s south shore has become the city’s Instagram-worthy spot this spring. Without traveling to Sanya, Xiamen, or the Maldives, you can enjoy a beach getaway under blue skies and white clouds.

The road that starts from Taishi Village in Jinning District and ends at the Gaohai Expressway is built entirely over the water. From this “internet-famous beach,” you can take in the vast expanse of the 500-li Dianchi Lake. Boardwalks stretching over the water, palm trees, fishing boats… all come together to create “Kunming’s Maldives.” On weekends, the scene of children building sandcastles, young couples taking wedding photos, influencers snapping their “I was here” shots, and passing fishermen paints a picture of the beach lifestyle Kunming locals dream of.

Mile Taiping Lake Forest Lake Park

Dongfengyun, Keyi Ancient Town, Honghe Water Town… the “internet-famous city” Mile contributes numerous check-in destinations to social media. Before spring even officially began, Taiping Lake Forest Lake Park was already overflowing with tulips, drawing wave after wave of visitors. Taiping Lake Forest Park holds a notable title: it has been selected by the national authorities as a pilot national-level demonstration zone!

The most eye-catching attraction is the portrait of “Princess Taiping” created from a vast sea of flowers. This is the first large-scale land art piece in Asia, created by world-renowned land artist Stan Herd, titled “Princess Taiping.”