The Green Lake Scenic Area (翠湖公园), located in the Wuhua District of Kunming, is a picturesque haven often referred to as the “back garden” of Kunming residents. Despite its modest size, the area boasts charming pavilions, towers, and vibrant birdlife, making it a popular spot for relaxation and leisure. The lake is fondly known as the “Green Jewel” of Kunming.
At the heart of this scenic area is Green Lake Park, surrounded by notable landmarks such as Yunnan University, the ancient Yuan Tong Temple, the former site of the Army Lecture Hall, the Yunnan Victory Memorial Hall, the Yunnan Provincial Museum, and the Southwest United University Monument. This area is a harmonious blend of nature, culture, and history, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring Kunming.
Travel Information about Green Lake Scenic Area
Tickets and Opening Hours
Tickets: Green Lake Park is free to enter. The Army Lecture Hall is also free, while admission to Yuan Tong Temple costs 6 RMB.
Opening Hours:
- Green Lake Park: 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM
- Army Lecture Hall: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
- Yuan Tong Temple: 8:00 AM – Midnight
Best Time to Visit
The Green Lake area, with its rich cultural attractions, is suitable for visits year-round. However, the best time to enjoy Green Lake Park is during the summer and winter. In winter, the park becomes especially lively with large flocks of red-beaked seagulls arriving to spend the season.
Getting There
Location: Surrounding Green Lake Park, Wuhua District, Kunming.
Public Transport: Take buses 100, 133, or 235 to Cuihu South Road Station. From there, it’s a short walk to Green Lake Park, the Army Lecture Hall, Yunnan University, and Yuan Tong Temple.
Scenic Rating
- Cultural Attractions: ★★★★
- Unique Features: ★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Thrill Factor: ★★
- Romance: ★★
Highlights of Green Lake Scenic Area
Green Lake Park
Green Lake Park, located in the heart of Kunming, is a beautifully designed public park featuring pavilions such as Haixin Pavilion, Shuiyue Pavilion, and Guanyu Pavilion, all surrounding a large lake. The park is lush with trees and flowers, especially its iconic weeping willows, earning it the title of Kunming’s “back garden.” The park is divided into four sections by east-west and north-south embankments, with Haixin Pavilion at its center, Guanyu Pavilion to the west, and Shuiyue Pavilion in the southeast. The park’s lake is home to a variety of lotus flowers, further enhancing its beauty, which has led to its reputation as the “Green Jewel” of Kunming.
Each winter, flocks of red-beaked seagulls migrate from Siberia to overwinter at Green Lake. These playful birds, splashing in the water and eagerly seeking food, add an exciting atmosphere to the park and have become one of Kunming’s most famous attractions. The elegant architecture of the pavilions, along with the vibrant flora and poetic inscriptions from historical figures, make Green Lake Park a favorite destination for locals and tourists alike.
The red-beaked seagull, often called the “water pigeon,” is similar in size to a pigeon, with a flat, red beak that darkens at the tip. Its body is mostly white, and when it soars in the sky, it resembles a graceful angel. Every year, from November to March, the park fills with these seagulls, attracting visitors who come to admire and feed them.
Yunnan University
Yunnan University, located on the Gongyuan Slope of the Cangshan Mountain Range, features an impressive entrance with a famous grand staircase of 95 steps. This long staircase is a striking sight, lined with lush green trees, creating a peaceful and beautiful campus environment that is ideal for studying and research.
The university’s architecture blends both Western and Chinese elements, offering a mix of elegant French-style buildings, mysterious Greek columns, and ancient Chinese examination halls. This combination of openness and rigor reflects the university’s deep cultural heritage. Surrounded by vibrant flowers, the campus houses various academic buildings, libraries, and laboratories, making it a perfect place for learning and intellectual exploration.
Former Site of the Yunnan Military Academy
The former site of the Yunnan Military Academy is located near the Yunnan Provincial Agricultural Exhibition Hall and Provincial Library. It was one of China’s most famous modern military schools. Established during the Qing Dynasty to train a modern army and strengthen border defenses, the Yunnan Military Academy was considered one of the three major military schools of its time, alongside the Tianjin and Fengtian Military Academies. Later, it gained prominence alongside other prestigious institutions like the Whampoa Military Academy and the Baoding Army Officer School.
The existing structure of the academy is a grand example of traditional Chinese architecture, featuring a classic “Zouma Zhuanjiao” style with earth, wood, and stone construction. It remains well-preserved to this day. Nestled next to Green Lake, the academy is surrounded by lush greenery, clear waters, and a serene atmosphere filled with birdsong and flowers. The academy has produced many notable military leaders, including Marshals Zhu De and Ye Jianying, who both studied here.
Yuan Tong Temple
Yuan Tong Temple, located on Yuan Tong Street in downtown Kunming, is one of the city’s oldest Buddhist temples, with a history spanning over 1,200 years. It is also the largest temple within the city. The temple was originally built during the Tang Dynasty under the Nanzhao Kingdom, and was first known as Potalaka Temple.
Yuan Tong Temple features several impressive structures, including the Yuan Tong Victory Arch, the main Yuan Tong Hall, and an octagonal pavilion. One of its most unique highlights is the Copper Buddha Hall, the only one of its kind in mainland China dedicated to Theravada Buddhism. Visitors can also experience the distinct architectural styles of three major Buddhist schools within the temple. Every spring in March, the famous “Yuantong Cherry Blossom Tide” on the nearby Yuantong Mountain becomes one of Kunming’s most popular attractions.
Lu Han Residence
Lu Han was a renowned anti-Japanese patriotic general and the leader of the Yunnan Uprising. His residence, located at No. 4 Cuihu South Road, was built in the 1930s and is one of the best-preserved French-style brick and stone structures in Kunming. The octagonal building features stone columns, door frames, and window frames adorned with intricate relief carvings. Inside, the residence is equipped with fireplaces and decorated entirely with teak wood, reflecting both elegance and craftsmanship.
In addition to its artistic value, the Lu Han Residence holds great historical significance. On December 9, 1949, during the Yunnan Uprising, Lu Han detained key Nationalist military leaders, including General Li Mi of the Eighth Army, General Yu Chengwan of the Twenty-Sixth Army, and Shen Zui, the head of the Military Intelligence Bureau’s Yunnan branch. This act helped pave the way for the peaceful liberation of Yunnan, making the Lu Han Residence a witness to this critical moment in history.
Visitor Guide for Green Lake Scenic Area
Culinary Delights in Yunnan
1. Guoqiao Mixian (过桥米线, Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles)
Originating from Mengzi in Yunnan during the Qing Dynasty (1875–1908), Guoqiao Mixian has over 100 years of history. Its distinct characteristics include careful selection of ingredients, a variety of components, meticulous preparation, and a refreshing, smooth taste.
Restaurant Recommendations:
- Jianxin Garden (建新园) (Baoshan Street Branch)
- Qiaoxiangyuan Guoqiao Mixian (桥香园过桥米线) (175 Renmin Zhong Road, 人民中路175号)
2. Dajiu Jia (大救驾, Big Rescue Dish)
Dajiu Jia is a famous Yunnan snack that involves slicing rice cakes into small pieces and stir-frying them with ingredients like ham, eggs, meat, radishes, and tomatoes. This dish features a vibrant mix of red, yellow, green, and white colors, with a fragrant and slightly sweet flavor that is not overly rich.
Restaurant Recommendation:
- Yike Yin (一颗印) (18-19 Jixiang Alley, Dongfeng West Road, 东风西路吉祥巷18-19号)
3. Qiguan Chicken (汽锅鸡)
Known as “the top dish of southern Yunnan,” Qiguan Chicken is cooked using steam from a special steam pot, which not only ensures the chicken is tender but also infuses it with the essence of premium herbs like Sanqi, Tianma, and Cordyceps. This dish is celebrated for its unique cooking method, juicy chicken, and delicious broth.
Restaurant Recommendations:
- Fuzhao Lou Huguo Restaurant (福照楼护国饭店) (432 Huguo Road, Wuhua District, 五华区护国路432号)
- Airuochun (蔼若春) (Jinbi Park Branch, 金碧公园店)
Shopping in Kunming
Kunming serves as the commercial hub of Yunnan, boasting a rich variety of local specialties and ethnic handicrafts. Key products include traditional Chinese medicine, famous cigarettes and teas, ethnic handicrafts, and fresh flowers. Here are some recommended shopping spots:
1. Colorful Yunnan (七彩云南)
For a one-stop shopping experience where you can find a wide array of Yunnan specialties, head to Colorful Yunnan, located about 12 kilometers from Kunming on Kunshi Road. This bustling area is always lively, with visitors eager to explore. The Yunnan Medicinal Herb Hall features hot-selling products like Sanqi, Tianma, Cordyceps, Ganoderma, and Yunnan Baiyao. The handicraft section dazzles with various silver jewelry, crystals, exquisite wood carvings, and brass crafts that tempt shoppers. The local specialty section is particularly captivating, offering a plethora of items such as Yao rice wine, Tou Ren Lao Jiao, Yunnan small-grain coffee, aged Pu-erh tea, Xuanwei ham, Yunnan tribute rice, and spicy condiments for mixed rice.
2. Culture Alley (文化巷)
Culture Alley is a well-known and popular small street in Kunming, often likened to “Kunming’s foreigner street.” Stretching just over a hundred meters, it is lined with numerous unique shops that showcase a variety of offerings. The quaintly decorated street features a diverse array of goods, including distinctive ethnic clothing, exquisite accessories, and a multitude of intriguing items that may leave you guessing their names.
3. Kang Le Tea Culture City (康乐茶文化城)
As the birthplace of Pu-erh tea, Yunnan is well-represented at Kang Le Tea Culture City, the largest tea trading and cultural center in the province. With over 500 participating vendors, each store is uniquely decorated, vividly illustrating tea culture and exuding the fragrant aroma of tea. In addition to the famous Yunnan Pu-erh tea, you can also find well-known varieties such as Bi Luo Chun, Longjing, Tieguanyin, and Dong Ding Oolong.
Things to Do in Kunming
1. Dian Drama (滇剧)
Dian Drama originated during the late Qing Dynasty and early Republic of China, combining elements from three vocal styles: silk string, Xiangyang tune, and Huqin opera, with the silk string style being predominant. It is popular in Yunnan as well as in parts of Sichuan and Guizhou. Notable performances include “Niu Gao Che Zhi” (牛皋扯旨) and “Chuang Gong” (闯宫).
Recommended Theaters:
- Yunnan Provincial Dian Theatre (云南省滇剧院剧场)
Address: 276 Dongsi Street, Kunming - Yunnan Grand Theatre (云南大剧院)
Address: Near Guandu Ancient Town, Guangfu Road, Kunming
2. Historical Architecture in Kunming
The city is rich with unique historical architecture, such as the bright yellow Dian-Yue French-style arcade buildings, the culturally blended “One Seed” architecture combining Han and Yi elements, and the diverse architectural styles of Yunnan University. These distinctive old buildings and neighborhoods reflect Kunming’s character and heritage, offering a glimpse into the city’s storied past.
Recommended Areas for Strolling:
- Tongren Street (同仁街)
- Kunming Old Street (昆明老街)
- Yunnan University (云南大学)