The emblem of the city of Kunming is composed of a golden horse and a green rooster. It was designed according to a popular legend about Dianchi Lake.

On the eastern bank of Dianchi Lake stands the Jinma (Golden Horse) Hill; and on the lake's western bank stands the Biji (Green Rooster) Hill. The two hills form a pass of strategic importance in the city. In remote antiquity, a golden horse ran out of the sun while a green rooster flew out of the moon. Wherever the horse and rooster appeared, trees grew luxuriantly and flowers bloomed, signaling prosperity. They eventually settled on the banks of Dianchi Lake and protected the people of Kunming.

At sunrise and sunset, multi-hued clouds hang over Dianchi Lake, hence the city's nickname, the Capital of Clouds. Situated in a large bazi (basin) surrounded by green mountains, the city has a pleasant climate, which is temperate throughout the year. With a fair amount of sunshine, Kunming has a temperature of 15oC all year long. Marco Polo once praised the city's beauty, while Xu Xiake, a famous traveler in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), eulogized the lanscapes of Kunming in the Travels of Xu Xiake.

A Brilliant History and Culture

In 279 B.C., during the Warring States Period (475-221 B.C.), Zhuang Qiao, a general of the state of Chu in Hunan, entered Yunnan, unified the surrounding area of Dianchi Lake, and became the first ruler in the region, the King of Dian. Since then, Yunnan is called Dian for short.

With unique landscapes and a long history, Kunming has many relics and ancient structures. Standing along the Shulin and Dongsi Roads in the city proper are the Dongsi (East Temple) and Xisi (West Temple) Pagodas that were built in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In the Guzhuang Park, there is a prayer wheel that is considered to be the most significant relic of the ancient Dali Kingdom founded about 1,500 years ago in central Yunnan. The Jingang (Guardian) Temple preserves China's oldest dagoba on a pedestal, which is decorated with a relief of the Buddha's guardians. The Helong (Black Dragon) Pool is famous for an ancestral temple of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.), plum trees of the Tang Dynasty, cypress trees of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and tea trees of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The Qiongzhu (Bamboo) Temple, on the other hand, built in the 13th century, houses a group of sculptures depicting the 500 disciples of the Buddha. The Jindian (Golden) Hall, built in 1671, is special because all its beams, pillars, arches, roof tiles, and window frames are made of cast bronze. In addition, people may want to visit Cuihu (Green) Lake, the Yuantong Temple, and the temples in the Western Hills while in Kunming.

A Modern International Border City

Kunming is a modern city and also an important tourist destination. After visiting the Stone Forest in the Lu'nan Yi Autonomous County, people usually go to Kunming to visit the Village of Ethnic Groups and the '99 International Horticultural Exposition Park. In the village, visitors can see the typical houses, costumes, and adornments of Yunnan's 25 ethnic groups, as well as their songs and dances. In the park, they can visit gardens and enjoy rare plants and exotic flowers from both China and other nations.

Kunming is the communications and transportation hub of Yunnan. The city offers scheduled flights to major cities in China and abroad. There are also flights to Dali, Baoshan, Dehong, Lijiang, Lincang, Simao, and Xishuangbanna, which are all tourist destinations in the province. In addition, the city has a well-developed railway system and highway transport facilities.

Kunming has many star-rated hotels, restaurants, and resorts. Of the city's hotels, quite a few have the facilities needed for conferences and grand ceremonies. The resorts are well-furnished with spring-water swimming pools, tennis courts, and bowling alleys; and the restaurants serve Chinese delicacies as well as foreign cuisine. Fast-food chains can also be found in the city, including Kentucky Fried Chicken and McDonald's. Among the various Yunnan specialties, the guoqiao mixian, a kind of rice-noodle soup, which was once served at state banquets, is highly favored by Chinese and foreign visitors alike. In Kunming, there are restaurants run by the people of 25 ethnic groups, including the Yi, the Dai, the Hani, the Zhuang, the Lahu, and the Bai. At these restaurants, visitors can taste the typical food of ethnic groups and experience their customs. When offering wine to guests, the hospitable Yi people often sing songs. Whether or not the guest is fond of wine, he or she will drink and be intoxicated by the atmosphere rather than the wine itself. One of the 18 peculiarities that Yunnan is known for involves the use of flowers in cooking. During spring when the mountain flowers are in full bloom, visitors can taste dishes made of flowers; while in the fall, they can savor dishes made of wild vegetables and edible fungi.

A Leisurely Life

Because of its spring-like climate, sea gulls from Siberia spend the winter in Kunming. Over the past 17 years, several hundred thousands of Siberian sea gulls have flown south to the city every winter, forming a unique cityscape.

The people of Kunming lead a leisurely and carefree life. During festivals and holidays, many families often drive to the outskirts of the city or sometimes further to go sightseeing, camping, mountain climbing, and sometimes to take part in extreme sports such as bungee jumping and rafting. The city also boasts a colorful nightlife. As night falls, people go to teahouses, bars, and food stalls run by Kunming locals as well as people from other parts of China and abroad.

In the vicinity of Dongsita (East Temple Pagoda) Square, there is an area known as Old Kunming. All of the buildings in this area are built in the ancient style. Scattered in the area are many sculptures, such as Mabang (Horses Carrying Mountain Products), Jiaomai (Hawking Wares), and Buguo (Repairing Cauldrons), displaying the life in old Kunming. The elderly often gather at an old stage where they perform local ballads and exhibit the colorful lanterns they have made. Not far from Old Kunming is a modern recreational area with many teahouses, bars, Internet cafes, night clubs, and the Mingxing (Star) Opera House, the largest in the city, which attracts lots of young people every day and night.

A Sea of Flowers

Kunming is China's largest flower producer, and has the country's largest flower market. It is also one of China's major flower exporters. Every season, flowers of various species bloom throughout the city, making Kunming a vast sea of flowers. There are numerous shops and stalls selling flowers at quite reasonable prices. At weddings, vehicles are decorated with flowers and the bride and groom are showered with flower petals. Visitors not only admire the city's flowers during their stay but also buy them when they are leaving this City of Perpetual Spring.

(China Pictorial January 30, 2003)