During the Spring Festival, the first phase of the outer lake section of the Dianchi Greenway was opened to the public. Yao Shanmin, a citizen who experienced the scenery of the Dianchi Greenway, praised it: "The Dianchi Greenway is awesome. It is like a paradise for walking and cycling enthusiasts.

This section of the greenway starts from the Xinbaoxiang River and ends at the most beautiful road (Pachi Mountain), with a total length of 71.9 kilometres. According to the local conditions, 7 characteristic themed "mountain, water, forest, field, lake, grass and village" trestle bridges and several cross-river bridges have been built for visitors to “check in” and several observation platforms constructed, connecting 8 major wetland parks along Dianchi Lake, such as Baofeng and Wangguan, 2 historical and cultural villages, Wolong Ancient Fishing Village and Haiyan Village, and more than 20 beautiful villages, such as Xiaoyu Village and Niulian Village, so that tourists can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery along Dianchi Lake.

It is reported that the outer lake section of the Dianchi Greenway has also set up several cultural exhibitions and interactive experience areas, where citizens can experience the ecological and cultural beauty of Kunming on the Greenway. On February 2, the reporter visited citizens and tourists in Jinning Xiaoyu Village, Niulian Village and Wolong Ancient Fishing Village. They all said that the Dianchi Greenway is not only beautiful, but also rich in ecological heritage. It is a road of happiness for co-creating and sharing.

Citizens: The landscape of Dianchi Greenway is extraordinary

At 11 o'clock on February 2, the No. 1 car park of the Xiaoyu Village, Niulian Village Committee in Shangsuan Town, Jinning District, was full of cars. Huang Wei, a Kunming resident, came here, and his family of four parked their car and took the beach chairs to the newly built beach to start a relaxing day.

"When I heard that the outer lake section of the Dianchi Greenway would be open during the Spring Festival, I thought about bringing my family here." Huang Wei said that not only can you get close to Dianchi Lake, but you can also watch the sunset over Dianchi Lake and the winter metasequoia, which is a rare weekend leisure opportunity.

During the Spring Festival, in order to allow tourists to fully enjoy the beauty of the greenway, relevant departments have carefully set up five Dianchi Greenway Service Points along the outer lake section of the Dianchi Greenway, including Dounan Wetland, Lavender Manor, Haiyan Village, Mingzhen Mountain and Changyao Mountain, as well as two service stations, Longwang Temple and Qixing Mountain, with the concept of "Greenway +" to provide supplies, advice and other services, and set up New Year “check-in points” such as "Make a New Wish", their festive and peaceful atmosphere is very striking.

"During the Spring Festival,  hundreds of people come here every day to take pictures." Jing Lichun, a staff member at the Niulian Village section of the Dianchi Greenway, said many people came here to experience the greenway when it was still under construction, and more people came during the Spring Festival. "Many families come one by one, walk along the greenway, visit the small fishing village, and then sit on the beach to bask in the sun." He said the Dianchi Greenway has gained recognition from everyone.

"I didn't expect it to be so beautiful." Ni Mei, a resident of Shangsuan Town, usually works in Kunming and returns to her hometown to visit relatives during the Spring Festival. After experiencing the Dianchi Greenway, she exclaimed that the greenway was beautiful and the surrounding scenery enchanted. She hopes that more people will come to experience it. But she also hopes that everyone can take care of this beautiful and convenient road.

Near the Wolong Ancient Fishing Village, the reporter met Li Ming, a photographer who had come to take pictures of the black-heaed gulls. He said: "There are many places near the Dianchi Greenway that are wetlands, and there are many wild birds in these places. It is a treasure trove for photographers."

On Huanhu South Road in Jinning District, "the most beautiful road" called by Kunming people, many cyclists stop to take pictures. Chen Zan, often cycling around Dianchi Lake, said: "It is already very happy for us to be in Kunming, where the four seasons are like spring. Now there is the beautiful Dianchi Greenway, which makes our cycling life more interesting. It's really too amazing".

Tourists: Kunming's ecotourism is so comfortable

In fact, the construction results of Kunming's Dianchi Greenway have long been recognised by Kunming citizens.

In 2023, the entire section of the Kunming Dianchi Greenway around Caohai opened to the public. The 23-kilometre-long greenway winds along the sparkling Dianchi Caohai coast. The landscapes, such as the landscape corridor, the Chaoyun Bridge and the Greenway Floating Bridge, form a harmonious picture of green city life. It has long become an "internet celebrity attraction" in Kunming, and has become popular from the circle of friends of Kunming people to the whole country, becoming one of the must-see places for many foreign tourists to Kunming.

At present, the Dianchi Greenway from Haigeng Park to the three peninsula sections of Xinghai, Baofeng and Fubao has also been built. With the opening of the first phase of the Dianchi Greenway in the outer lake section, the total length of the Dianchi Greenway has exceeded 100 kilometres, making it the first choice for family outings and get-togethers with friends. People can walk for exercise, take photos, have fun, relax and enjoy a rare wild moment.

"The Dianchi Greenway allows citizens to get a firsthand feel of the improvement of the ecological environment and the release of ecological dividends." Some experts believe that constructing the Dianchi Greenway is an important measure for Kunming to practice the concept of green development and promote the construction of ecological civilisation. It not only beautifies the urban environment and improves the quality of life of citizens but also becomes a bridge between humans and nature, heritage and innovation.

During this year's Spring Festival holiday, a variety of activities would be held along the Dianchi Greenway, such as the New Year's Market, the Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition and concerts.

From January 29 to February 12, Yu Garden held a Spring Festival Market, where citizens and tourists could not only taste special snacks, but also buy special products, participate in games such as pot throwing, archery, hoop rolling and foreign painting, visit the Spring Festival Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition and listen to the Spring Festival Concert. From January 31 to February 3, the “Yuchun Good Things” Market was held at Wolong Ancient Fishing Village, the original site of "Yu Pu Xing Deng", one of the eight scenic spots in ancient Chenggong. Citizens and tourists can participate in the Spring Festival Grassland Garden Concert, New Year Wishes and Finding Blessings, and experience the authentic New Year atmosphere of Kunming Fishing Village.

On 2 February, Chongqing tourist Fang Zhiyu took his two children to Yu Garden to see the Spring Festival Market, and then followed the Dianchi Greenway to the Green Park at Caohai Tunnel to feed the black-headed gulls. "I find Kunming so comfortable. It's not cold or hot, there are lots of flowers and you can feed the black-headed gulls. It would be great if my family were in Kunming.” Fang Zhiyu's eldest son said he hoped to move his family to Kunming. Fang Zhiyu agreed with a smile and said: "Aright, when I have money, we will settle down in Kunming." (Kunming Daily Reporter Zhao Shuyong, Wang Junxing)

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(Editor: Reena, Ines)