In spring, Chenggong bursts into bloom with cherry and pear blossoms; in summer, the air is filled with the fragrance of roses and lotus flowers. Autumn brings rippling golden rice fields and the graceful silhouettes of cypress trees, while winter unfolds in the vibrant bustle of its flower markets. Located on the eastern shore of Dianchi Lake, Chenggong District is a place of year-round beauty, offering picturesque views at every turn. Drawing on its rich ecological resources and the ongoing development of its “Park City” vision, this modern urban district is emerging as a vivid example of “Yunnan: A Many-Splendored Life”.

In recent years, Chenggong has pursued a people-centered, ecology-first development approach, promoting the integration of ecological protection with urban development. Official data shows that 99.45% of its days recorded good or excellent air quality, while urban green coverage reached 45.63% and green space ratio stood at 40.02%. The district has built 187 parks of various kinds, providing 18.71 square meters of park green space per capita, along with 97,700 square meters of shared, publicly accessible park areas. What was once the vision of “seeing greenery from one’s window and stepping into a park upon leaving home” has now become part of everyday life.

In pursuing park-city development, Chenggong has gone beyond simply expanding green space. Instead, building on its natural setting—where mountains and the city complement each other, and water and greenery coexist—it has pushed forward wetland restoration, greenway connectivity, and the development of pocket parks. In doing so, the district has charted a sustainable path in which ecology supports development, and development, in turn, reinforces ecological protection. This approach underscores that the essence of building a park city lies not in showpiece projects, but in turning ecological gains into tangible, accessible benefits that enhance people’s everyday well-being.

A high-quality ecological environment continues to enhance Chenggong’s appeal as a destination for both living and long-term stays. As a key gateway to Kunming’s high-speed rail network and an important hub in the Central Yunnan urban cluster, the district brings together strong resources in education, healthcare, and transportation, while focusing on the development of the digital economy, the flower industry, and the health and wellness sector. Here, a stay is more than a brief visit—it can become an immersive and enduring way of life: a morning jog along the Dianchi Lake Greenway, a restful afternoon under the shade of park trees, an evening climb to a scenic viewpoint overlooking the lake and city, and leisurely strolls through flower markets and historic villages—where ecology and culture seamlessly intertwine.

At the same time, by leveraging its ecological strengths, Chenggong is creating new drivers of growth, fostering emerging sectors such as wellness tourism, flower-themed educational tourism, eco-camping, and greenway cycling, and promoting the integrated development of ecology, livability, and industry. This model not only enhances the city’s appeal, but also energizes its industries, creating a virtuous cycle in which ecological assets support industry, and industrial development in turn improves livelihoods.

Chenggong’s experience also highlights that building a park city must be rooted in local strengths and follow a development path tailored to local conditions. Leveraging its unique strengths in Dianchi Lake resources and the flower industry, the district has not simply replicated models from elsewhere, but has instead cultivated a distinctive ecological identity, avoiding the homogenization of urban landscapes. At the same time, by applying a systems approach, Chenggong has coordinated ecological conservation, industrial development, public services, and cultural preservation, fostering a more resilient and sustainable model of urban growth.

Today, Chenggong is defined by its greenery, known for its flowers, with its appeal for lifestyle living adding to its identity, as it continues to expand both the scope and depth of its park city vision. As the “Green and Beautiful Yunnan” and “Green and Beautiful Kunming” initiatives advance, this emerging green city on the eastern shore of Dianchi Lake is moving steadily toward higher-quality development.

From the everyday reality of “seeing greenery from one’s window” to a development path driven by ecological value, Chenggong’s experience shows that a park city is not merely a collection of slogans or planning concepts, but a systematic endeavor—grounded in ecology, centered on people’s well-being, and supported by industry. Looking ahead, the district will enable more people to experience the beauty of nature and the comfort of livable communities, while offering a “Chenggong model” as a useful example for high-quality urban development nationwide.

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(Editors: Doe, Rachel)