The SCO Kunming Marathon 2024 kicked off on December 29 at 8:00 AM. After enjoying the seagulls and flowers, do not miss the six golden travel routes. Immerse yourself in the green beauty of Spring City and experience "a lifestyle called Yunnan".

What do tourists think of when they think of Kunming? Staying in a homestay by Dianchi Lake, visiting museums and sipping coffee by Cuihu Lake, exploring the Stone Forest and Red Land for scenic views, shopping for flowers at Dou Nan Flower Market, checking point at Kunming Old Street, or simply basking in the sun. The climate here is delightful, offering a perfect escape from the summer heat and winter cold, with spring-like weather all year round.

The lively Nanqiang Market at night.

Whether sightseeing, dining, sunbathing, hot springs, camping, buying flowers or outdoor sports, whatever tourists want, Kunming has it!

By following the six golden travel routes - the Golden Coast of Dianchi Lake, the Historical and Cultural Tour Circle of Great Cuihu Lake, the Ecological Science Tour of the World Horticultural Expo Area, the Plateau Lakeside Leisure and Holiday Destination of Yangzonghai, the Geological Wonder Tour of Shilin and Jiuxiang, and the Natural Wild Fun Tour of Northern Counties of Kunming - visitors can discover just how "fun" Kunming can be and appreciate its many charms.

Tourists exploring the Jiuxiang Scenic Area.

Surprise within a Surprise

A Jiangsu netizen known as "Er Dian San" has a habit of looking for local running routes whenever he visits a new city to gauge the city's beauty on foot. Upon arriving in Kunming, he remarked, "Running along the Dianchi Greenway in the morning is truly a 'surprise within a surprise'; it is breathtaking!"

Cycle along the Dianchi Greenway, check in the Sky Mirror, explore unique villages along the coast, stop to take in the scenery, feel the breeze and sip a coffee. This relaxed way of enjoying Kunming is becoming increasingly popular.

The small fishing village of Niulian in Jinning.

Kunming is promoting the construction of the Dianchi Greenway with high standards and quality. It connects ecological wetlands, scenic spots and traditional villages along the route. It uses rich historical and cultural resources to carefully plan travel routes, making the Dianchi Lake Tour Route a must-visit tourist destination and a core tourist attraction in Kunming.

Visitors touring the Yunnan Military Academy History Museum.

To delve into Kunming's profound historical and cultural heritage, visit the Great Cuihu Lake Historical and Cultural Tour, reminisce at "Nine Alleys and Thirteen Slopes" and Huanggong East Street, experience a slow lifestyle with coffee in one hand and tea in the other next to Cuihu Park; and as night falls, head to Nanqiang Street and Kunming Old Street to experience the "flavors of human life that warm the hearts of ordinary people."

For "Breathe the forest", follow the Ecological Science Tour of the World Horticultural Expo Area, visit the Kunming Botanical Garden, interact with adorable animals at the Yunnan Wild Animal Park, enjoy tea and listen to performances at the Golden Temple Scenic Area, and embark on an eco-friendly journey that pleases both body and mind.

Scenic views of the Yangzonghai coastline.

For health and relaxation, head to the Yangzonghai Plateau Lakeside Leisure and Holiday Destination, where you can stroll through the sea of flowers in the clouds, soak in hot springs, experience wellness spas, gaze at the mountains and watch fish and birds up close.

For curiosity about geological wonders, choose the Shilin-Jiuxiang Geological Wonder Tour to admire the unique karst formations of the ground, explore ancient underground caves, hear the stories of "Ashima" and "Earth's 200 Million Years", and taste delicious Yiliang roast duck and wild mushrooms.

The magical and magnificent Red Land in Dongchuan.

For a "wild and interesting" experience, follow the Natural Wild Fun Tourism Route in the northern counties of Kunming, see the Red Land in Dongchuan, challenge yourself at the summit of Jiaozi Mountain and seek the "dreamy altay" at Yege Mountain.

Come with excitement and return with a full load

Recently, over 300 tourists from Thailand returned to Chiang Mai after a 4-day, 3-night trip entitled "Flying to Kunming to Meet the Seagulls". They visited iconic sites in Kunming, including Kunming Waterfall Park, Yuantong Temple and Jinma Biji Rooster Archway, fed seagulls, visited the Red Land in Dongchuan and enjoyed the snow on Jiaozi Mountain.

Jiaozi Mountain is shrouded in mist.

"This is my first time in China. The weather is great, the food is excellent, the accommodation is wonderful, and the experiences are fantastic. The most memorable moment was seeing the snow and feeding the seagulls," said Thai tourist Namfon. According to the tour guide, they managed to visit two golden routes in one trip, and Namfon felt that this Kunming trip was very fulfilling.

More and more tourists, like Namfon, are coming with excitement and returning with a full load. In "comfortable" Kunming, they experience "a lifestyle called Yunnan".

Citizens interact closely with seagulls at Daguan Park.

In order to build the six golden tourist routes, Kunming Municipality is constantly integrating tourism resources and assets, promoting the efficient development and effectiveness of various tasks, such as tourism format creation, scenic spot improvement, tourism project construction, comprehensive environmental improvement, and traffic organisation and guarantee.

The Dou Nan Flower Market is bustling with activity.

Kunming will continue to deepen the integration of culture and tourism, make full use of its rich cultural and tourism resources, further enrich the supply of tourism products, and introduce products that meet the needs of mass tourism. With dedicated service and support, Kunming aims to create a favourable consumption environment, ensuring that tourists can eat, stay, travel, explore, shop, and enjoy peace. This will turn "first-time visitors" into "repeat guests" and "internet celebrities" into "long-term popularity", promoting tourism and accelerating the development of a world-class leisure and holiday destination.

Tourists are checking in at Kunming Old Street.

Click here to view the Chinese report

(Editors: Jennifer, Reena)