Things to do in Anning

Location: Haigeng Park/No. 16 Hubin Road ↔ Xishan Longmen (West Mountain Dragon Gate), not near the old street, you have to go to the Dianchi Lake area. Experience: Crossing the lake + climbing the mountain, about 20 minutes one way, views of Dianchi Lake, Sleeping Beauty Mountain, and city scenery, great for taking photos. Ticket Price: One way about 59-60 RMB, round trip about 98-100 RMB. Advantages: Easy for lazy people to climb West Mountain, no climbing required, unique views; seagulls in winter. Disadvantages: Stops during strong winds/thunderstorms; long queues during peak season; separate ticket/walking required for Longmen after climbing the mountain; don't confuse with the "Xishan Longmen Cableway". Conclusion: First time in Kunming, taking the Dianchi-Xishan route → worth it; if just exploring the old street → not worth a special trip.

Located in Xishan District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, China, the Haigeng Dam is a major engineering project connecting Dianchi Lake with the mainland and a landmark of Kunming. Haigeng Dam not only serves important flood control and drainage functions, but also attracts numerous visitors with its beautiful natural scenery and relaxing atmosphere. From the Haigeng Dam, one can admire the vast expanse of Dianchi Lake, shimmering in the sunlight, the water and sky blending into one, resembling a moving ink painting. In the distance, Dianchi Lake ripples with emerald green waves, occasionally soaring above, adding a vibrant and lively atmosphere. The dam's edges are shaded by lush trees, and there are walking paths and rest areas along the way, allowing visitors to stroll, feel the breeze, and enjoy the tranquil natural atmosphere. The Haigeng Dam presents a different beauty in different seasons. In spring, peach blossoms, cherry blossoms, and other flowers bloom in a dazzling display of color. In summer, the lake is lush and green, its waters emerald green and clear. In autumn, the leaves turn yellow, adding a golden warmth. In winter, mist occasionally lingers, adding a sense of mystery. Especially in the early morning or evening, when the setting sun shines on Dianchi Lake, the lake's surface shimmers with a golden glow, and the sky transforms into vibrant shades of orange, red, purple, and blue, creating a magnificent natural landscape. At these times, Haigeng Dam becomes a prime location for photography and leisure, a place that invites you to linger. In short, Haigeng Dam, with its vast expanse of water, rich natural landscapes, and tranquil atmosphere, is a rare and beautiful part of Kunming's scenic landscape.

Yunnan Ethnic Village is worth visiting. The scenic area recreates the villages and Mosuo homes of 25 ethnic minorities in Yunnan, including the Dai, Bai, Yi, Naxi, Wa, and Hani, at a 1:1 scale. It showcases the traditional dwellings, clothing, wedding customs, festival songs and dances, and production and lifestyles of each ethnic group. Dai bamboo houses, Yi earthen houses, and Bai screen walls are scattered throughout the park. Every day, intangible cultural heritage festivals such as the Water Splashing Festival, Torch Festival, and Munao Zongge are staged, as well as live performances of wooden drum dance, Guozhuang dance, and Haicaiqiang opera. It also includes an ethnic museum, a dance hall, and catering and resort facilities.

This guided tour at the Yunnan Provincial Museum was exceptional! Our guide, Ms. Xia, possessed a solid foundation of knowledge and didn't just read from materials mechanically. She interspersed the lecture with many interesting anecdotes, making the otherwise obscure history of the ancient Dian and Nanzhao kingdoms vivid and engaging. The artifacts, which were originally displayed quietly, seemed to come alive. I was completely captivated throughout the tour; it wasn't boring or drowsy at all. Her pacing was excellent, and she was very patient in answering questions. It was a completely different experience from simply rushing through the exhibits. A big thumbs up!

Kunming Old Street is a historical and cultural area comprised of over a dozen streets and alleys, including Guanghua Street, Wenming Street, Jingxing Street, and Qianwang Street. Located in the heart of Kunming, it is one of the few remaining century-old streets in the "Spring City." Here, cobblestone streets, Republican-era Western-style buildings, and traditional residences intertwine, carrying nearly 900 years of urban life and atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll and photography.

This place is underrated and very beautiful. I was exhausted from walking through Haigeng Park, but it instantly revitalized me. I wonder how beautiful it will be after November. There are many birds and wild squirrels.

In summer, the most captivating sight at Cuihu Lake is undoubtedly its pond full of lotus blossoms. Layers upon layers of lotus leaves unfold like emerald umbrellas on the azure water, while graceful lotus flowers bloom in delicate pink and white, elegant and serene. A gentle breeze sweeps across the lake, causing the lotus leaves to sway softly, releasing a delicate fragrance that soothes the soul. The water reflects the flower shadows, ancient pavilions are mirrored in the water, and willows sway gently along the banks, creating a picturesque scene of lotus blossoms and lake reflections. Strolling along the lakeside, one can see the pink lotuses standing tall and graceful, listen to the soft rustling of the lotus leaves, and be surrounded by a sense of tranquility and elegance. The lotus blossoms at Cuihu Lake are not as bustling as those elsewhere, but possess a unique gentleness characteristic of Kunming. Sitting quietly by the lake, gazing at the lotus shadows swaying on the water, the hustle and bustle of the city seems to fade away. A pond of lotus blossoms encapsulates the poetry of summer at Cuihu Lake, captivating visitors and making them reluctant to leave.

The water quality is terrible. Kunming residents still need to work harder. It's all a deep green. Too much algae. Too much pollution. Daguan Pavilion is world-famous. Seeing is believing. Its long couplets are renowned both at home and abroad. Dianchi Lake's fame resounds throughout the land. A pond full of lotus blossoms, a unique shade of red. Egrets weigh down the branches of the trees.

Guandu Ancient Town, nestled southeast of Kunming's main urban area and on the northern shore of Dianchi Lake, is a thousand-year-old town that unfolds like a slowly unfurling historical scroll. It perfectly blends the profound heritage of ancient Dian culture with the vibrant life of its residents, offering every visitor an immersive cultural experience that transcends time. Strolling through the ancient town, the first thing that catches the eye is the weathered bluestone path, winding and twisting, each stone seemingly etched with the echoes of a thousand years, telling tales of past prosperity and vicissitudes. Along the streets are well-preserved traditional courtyard houses and residences, with their blue tiles, white walls, and flying eaves, retaining the grandeur and order of Central Plains architecture while cleverly incorporating the dynamic elements of the Dian ethnic groups. The exquisite wood carvings and window lattice decorations silently bear witness to the millennia-long convergence and fusion of ancient Dian culture and Central Plains civilization. As the soul of the ancient town, the Vajra Throne Pagoda (commonly known as the Vajra Pagoda), a national key cultural relic protection unit, is undoubtedly the most eye-catching feature. The Vajra Pagoda, the oldest existing pagoda in my country, is awe-inspiring with its unique architectural style and profound cultural connotations. At each of the four corners of the base stands a small square pagoda, guarding a tall, conical main pagoda in the center. These five pagodas together symbolize the Five Buddhas of the Five Directions in Buddhism. Even more remarkable is that it is not built on solid ground, but ingeniously perched atop a mound of shells several meters thick—a testament to the wisdom of ancient craftsmen, a true "miracle of civilization on a mound of shells." As the sun sets, the silhouette of the pagoda blends with the afterglow, as if one can hear the whispers of history. Echoing the Vajra Pagoda is the Miaozhan Temple, originally built in the Yuan Dynasty. Within the temple, incense smoke curls, ancient trees reach for the sky, and the East and West Pagodas stand quietly, their Buddhist sculptures combining the solemnity of the Central Plains with the simplicity of Yunnan. Here, you can experience a sense of tranquility and serenity after the hustle and bustle of modern life. The piety of believers, the visits of tourists, and the playful antics of children create a harmonious and symbiotic scene. Besides the magnificent ancient architecture, the streets and alleys of Guandu Ancient Town are also home to a wealth of intangible cultural heritage and authentic local flavors. Stepping into the Yunzi Chess Academy, you can witness firsthand the craftsmanship of Yunzi Go stones, originating in the Tang Dynasty and hailed as the "gentleman of chess," and touch the warm, jade-like stones, feeling the inheritance of a thousand-year-old art. In the Wutong Zouyin Heritage Hall, artisans' exquisite engraving techniques transform cold copperware into beautiful works of art; the sparks flying are a testament to their craftsmanship. Of course, a trip to Guandu wouldn't be complete without a culinary feast. The fragrant Guandu Baba is a must-try intangible cultural heritage delicacy. Whether it's the savory sesame filling or the sweet rose bean paste filling, the soft outer layer encases a piping hot filling—one bite is a burst of authentic ancient Yunnan flavor. Another bowl of spicy and tangy rice noodles, or smooth and appetizing pea noodles, paired with a bowl of sweet papaya juice, instantly evokes the simplest and most satisfying happiness of old Kunming residents. These street food stalls are not only a treat for the taste buds, but also the most direct embodiment of the vibrant local life in Guandu. As night falls, the ancient town transforms. Shops lining the main street are brightly lit, and the lights of the bar street stand out vividly against the night sky, complementing the ancient architecture.

There are three stone gourds in front of the Grand View Tower in Kunming ‌At 11:52 on March 27, 2025, visit the gourd-shaped white stone tower in the lake. There are three gourd-shaped white stone towers in the green waves in front of the Grand View Tower. They were moved here from the original Zhuangyuan Tower in Kunming in the 1940s. With the ring embankment as a belt, the weeping willows are like silk, which is quite similar to the "Three Pools Mirroring the Moon" in West Lake, Hangzhou. These three stone gourds originated from Kunming folk legends and symbolize the love tragedy of the carp girl and Li Xiucai. When Li Tianshui, a scholar in Kunming, was studying in the Grand View Tower, he met a woman who was incarnated as a carp spirit late at night and interacted with them. The two gradually fell in love. In order to stay with the scholar, the carp spirit tried to push down the three white towers (originally transformed by white gourds) that suppressed her, but eventually failed and disappeared, leaving three stone gourds as a symbol. The stone gourd has become a unique landscape of the Grand View Tower Bay, especially transparent under the moonlight.