Kunming
Kunming,
capital of Yunnan Province, with a history of more than 2400
years, owes its importance to the fact that it was the gateway
to the celebrated Silk Road that facilitated trade with Tibet,
Sichuan, Myanmar and India. Today the city is the political,
economical and cultural center of Yunnan and the provincial
center for transport, science and technology and consequently
has become the most popular center for tourism in Southwest
China.
Kunming enjoys a pleasant climate and does
its best to live up to its title of 'the City of Eternal Spring'.
Whenever you are planning to go, the temperature is always
pleasant. With its convenient transport links in and out of
the city, Kunming welcomes and sees off tens of thousands
of tourists every day.
For first-time tourists Kunming city center
is an attraction with its two squares and five interlaced
roads - Jinma Biji Square, Dongfeng Square, Dongfeng Lu, Jinbi
Lu, Zhengyi Lu, Renmin Lu and Qingnian Lu, among which Jinbi
Square has the most eye-catching architecture. Qingnian Lu,
Zhengyi Lu, and Renmin Lu are the main commercial areas in
Kunming; the most popular pedestrian streets are Nanping Jie,
Jingxing Huaniao Shichang, and Jinma Biji Fang.
Kunming is the focal point of Yunnan minority
culture. Some 26 ethnic minorities such as Yi, Bai, Miao,
Dai, Hani and more inhabit the region. Each group has its
own featured festivals such as the Torch festival of Yi people,
the Golden Temple Fair and so on. The hugely successful 1999
International Horticultural Exposition enhanced Kunming's
influence in the world resulting in a snowball effect upon
tourism as more and more foreigners come to discover this
enchanting part of China.
Its alluring highland scenery, bewitching
karst landform, varied and exotic habitats and customs and
places of historical interest can be found at major scenic
spots such as Dianchi Lake, Stone Forest, the Village of
Ethnic Culture, Grand View Pavilion, etc.
Kunming has more than one hundred star rated
hotels and a variety of a thousand or so guest houses. These
provide tourists a wide choice of somewhere to relax after
whole day's tour.
Kunming is also renowned for many delicious
local dishes; the most famous ones are Across Bridge Rice
Noodle and Xuanwei Ham. You can enjoy them both at local famous
restaurants or the night market. In the night markets you
will find many pubs, bars and cafes that serve good quality
meals.
Lastly, do not forget to buy some locally
produced souvenirs for your friends or family when you
visit Kunming, such as ivory or wood carvings, minority
tie dyings. You will find a variety of stores to meet
your specified requirements.
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