Kunming, known for its mild climate and stunning natural beauty, is home to some of the most picturesque spots in China. Haigeng Park (海埂公园) and the Xishan (West Hill, 西山) area are must-see destinations for anyone visiting the city. This guide offers a comprehensive itinerary for a day trip that includes scenic views of Dianchi Lake, feeding seagulls at Haigeng Park, and an exciting cable car ride to Xishan. Whether you’re a nature lover, a photographer, or simply looking to explore Kunming’s top attractions, this guide will help you make the most of your visit.
Where to Stay: For convenience, it’s recommended to stay near Kunming Railway Station the night before your trip. This area is well-connected with public transport and offers plenty of dining options. It also ensures an easy departure for your day trip to Haigeng Park and Xishan.
Haigeng Park
Getting to Haigeng Park:
- By Taxi: A taxi ride from Kunming Railway Station to Haigeng Park costs around 20 RMB and takes about 20 minutes.
- By Bus: Alternatively, you can take a bus, which takes approximately one hour to reach Haigeng Park.
Haigeng Park is approximately 1 kilometer long, offering a peaceful lakeside walk. As you stroll along the park, you’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful views of Dianchi Lake and spot thousands of seagulls soaring overhead.
Feeding the Seagulls: A popular activity at Haigeng Park is feeding the seagulls. You can prepare small bread or cookies the night before your visit. While there are small shops within the park and street vendors selling bread and seagull feed, bringing your own snacks adds to the fun. The seagull feed is in small pellets that can attract a large group of seagulls when scattered. This creates fantastic opportunities for photos and videos of the birds in flight.
Lunch Near Haigeng Park: After enjoying Haigeng Park, you can have lunch at a nearby restaurant before heading to Xishan. We chose a small local eatery near the park where we enjoyed a hot bowl of “小锅米线” (small pot rice noodles) for 15 RMB. It’s a convenient and affordable meal, and you’ll also notice some of the street vendors from the park having their lunch here too.
Xishan Forest Park
Heading to Xishan: After your visit to Haigeng Park, it’s time to explore the Xishan Scenic Area, which is just a short distance away.
Dianchi Lake Cable Car: At the end of Haigeng Park is the ticket booth for the Dianchi Lake cable car. For 60 RMB, you can take the cable car to enjoy breathtaking views of Dianchi Lake while crossing over the stunning Xishan range. It’s a truly memorable experience.
Xishan and Longmen Cable Car: Once you arrive at Xishan, you’ll need to enter the Longmen Scenic Area (龙门景区), which requires an additional ticket priced at 30 RMB. You have a few options for how to proceed:
- Cable Car Up, Hike Down: The recommended way to ascend Xishan is by cable car (marked with a blue dashed line), which offers great panoramic views of the area. From the top, you can take an orange-lined trail down, passing by scenic spots along the way.
- Alternative Option: If you prefer, you can hike up to the top (which takes about two hours), but be aware that the path down is the same. The combined cable car and tour bus ticket costs 35 RMB.
Exploring the Longmen Scenic Area: After taking the Longmen cable car, you’ll need to hike for about 30 minutes to reach Lingxu Pavilion, the peak of Xishan. Here, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Kunming, making it a perfect spot for photos. Once you’ve soaked in the views, you can begin your descent along the orange line, visiting several other scenic spots as you make your way down.
Returning to the City: Upon exiting the Longmen Scenic Area, you can take a shuttle bus (15 RMB) back to the metro station, where you can catch a train back to Kunming’s city center, completing your perfect day trip.