Green Lake: The Jewel of Kunming

Famous writer Wang Zengqi once praised Green Lake as the soul window of Kunming, through which you can deeply touch the inner side of Kunming. I have visited Kunming several times, and I always find myself walking along the Green Lake, intoxicated by its beauty. Plan your trip in advance to make every trip meaningful and truly feel the essence of the city. And the starting point for exploring Kunming should undoubtedly be Green Lake. 1. Overview of Green Lake "Green Lake reflects Kunming, and history is hidden in the waves." From the map of Kunming City in the Ming Dynasty collected by the Yunnan Provincial Museum, you can see that Green Lake (formerly known as Caihaizi) is located in the northwest corner of the old city, and its surrounding areas, such as Luofeng Mountain (now Yuantong Mountain), have undergone changes, while Green Lake has gradually become the heart of Kunming. Since the Qing Dynasty, Green Lake has gradually been built into the core landscape of the city, and during the Republic of China, it became a park, and the surrounding area became the political, military, and cultural center of Kunming. Although Green Lake is small, with a circumference of only about 2 kilometers, it carries a rich history and influences modern Chinese history. The north gate of Green Lake was originally the Yunnan Gongyuan, the examination hall of the Ming and Qing dynasties, and later became the site of Yunnan University; opposite Yunnan University is Yunnan Normal University, formerly known as the National Southwest Associated University. Outside the west gate is the former site of the Yunnan Army Lecture Hall, which trained many influential historical figures, including Marshals Zhu De and Ye Jianying. To the east gate is the Luhan Mansion, now the Yunnan Uprising Memorial Hall, and not far away is Zhu De's former residence "Jieyuan" and Yuantong Zen Temple. Near the south gate are the Yunnan Liberation Memorial Hall and the Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall, both important historical sites in Kunming. 2. The Beauty of Green Lake Green Lake, formerly known as Caihaizi and Jiulongchi, has undergone renovations during the Kangxi and Daoguang dynasties, forming the current Haixin Pavilion, Ruan Dike, Tang Dike, and other landscapes. In Green Lake Park, people and animals coexist harmoniously, with water birds, squirrels, and other animals enjoying themselves, and herons and the Guanyu Building blending into one, forming a vivid picture. In winter, Green Lake is a paradise for seagulls, attracting many tourists to come and watch. 🌟Practical Information: Green Lake Park is open for free, no reservation is required. 🕙Opening hours: 6:00–24:00. 📍Detailed address: There are gates around the park, but the north gate is temporarily closed due to the construction of cultural and creative projects. If you need to go to Yunnan University, please exit from the east or west gate and walk north along Cuihu Road. Green Lake Park