Dianchi Lake (滇池), also known as Kunming Lake, is located southwest of Kunming City. It is the largest highland lake in Yunnan Province and the sixth-largest freshwater lake in China, often referred to as the “Pearl of the Plateau.” Dianchi Lake offers a rich variety of experiences, from exploring the Stone Age relics and the ancient tombs of the Dian Kingdom to discovering the cradle of Yunnan’s culture. Visitors can also enjoy nearby attractions, such as Xishan Forest Park, Daguan Pavilion, Shicheng Park, Haigeng Park, Yunnan Nationalities Village, and Zheng He Park.
Several scenic viewpoints along the new road from Kunming to Haikou Village provide beautiful vistas of the lake. The water near these spots is cleaner, making it ideal for flower viewing and feeding seagulls.
According to legend, Kunming was once a barren land. A brave hunter left his new bride to search for water from the East Sea. At the shore, he saved a small red fish from a falcon, who turned out to be the third princess of the Dragon King. The princess fell in love with the hunter, but he longed for his wife back home. Escaping the Dragon King’s clutches, the hunter filled his belly with fresh water and returned to Kunming. However, his wife had passed away from longing and transformed into Sleeping Beauty Mountain. Grief-stricken, the hunter released the water, forming Dianchi Lake, and died, becoming one with the lake.
Travel Information about Dianchi Lake
Tickets and Opening Hours
Tickets: Haigeng Park (Free, Glass Corridor: ¥20), Daguan Pavilion Park: ¥20, Xishan Scenic Area: ¥40, Yunnan Nationalities Village: ¥90.
Opening Hours: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM.
Best Time to Visit
Kunming enjoys a mild climate year-round, making Dianchi Lake suitable to visit in all seasons. Spring is an ideal time for photography with blooming flowers, while winter is perfect for birdwatching as migratory birds flock to the lake.
Transportation
Location: South of Kunming city, along Dianchi Road.
Public Transport: Take buses 24, 44, or 73 from the city and get off at Haigeng Park Station.
Scenic Rating
- Culture: ★★★★
- Unique Features: ★★
- Leisure: ★★★★
- Beauty: ★★★★
- Romance: ★★★★
- Adventure: ★★
Highlights of Dianchi Lake
Grand View Tower Park
Grand View Tower Park (Daguanlou Park) is located 2 kilometers southwest of Kunming, at the northern tip of Dianchi Lake. It is one of Kunming’s most important scenic spots, rich in history and cultural heritage, and is renowned as one of China’s famous towers.
The Grand View Tower was originally built in 1690 during the 29th year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. It earned its name due to its location by Dianchi Lake, offering sweeping views of Xishan Mountain and the lake’s scenic beauty. In the Republic of China era, the tower was converted into a public park. Tang Jiyao, the founder of the Dian Army, allocated funds for its restoration and placed a bronze statue of himself in the central square. In 1940, three white stone pillars were erected in front of the tower’s pond, imitating the “Three Pools Mirroring the Moon” from West Lake.
The Grand View Tower, built on the water’s edge, is a three-story structure, known for its collection of plaques and famous couplets. The most notable of these is the “Longest Couplets in the World,” written by Sun Ranweng, a scholar from Kunming. Visitors who ascend the tower can enjoy breathtaking views of Dianchi Lake and Xishan Mountain.
Xishan Forest Park
Xishan Forest Park (West Hill Forest Park) is located next to Haigeng Park, and visitors can take a cable car from the pier to reach Taihua Mountain Villa within the Xishan Scenic Area. Xishan, with its rolling peaks, lush green forests, and vibrant birdlife, is a picturesque forest park that includes several notable attractions such as Huating Temple, Taihua Temple, Sanqing Pavilion, and Longmen (Dragon Gate).
Huating Temple, perched at an altitude of 2,050 meters, was founded in the 14th century. The temple complex is grand and magnificent, making it one of Kunming’s famous Buddhist sanctuaries. Taihua Temple, built in 1306 and also known as “Foyan Temple,” features the Wanghailou (Sea-view Pavilion), an ideal spot to watch the sunrise over Dianchi Lake.
Sanqing Pavilion and Longmen form a group of architectural structures built on the cliffs of Luohan Mountain, the main peak of Xishan. This complex includes nine levels and eleven pavilions. The Longmen Stone Carvings, featuring stone pathways, ancient chambers, railings, caves, and statues of Buddha, represent the essence of Xishan. Standing at Longmen, visitors can look down on sheer cliffs and gaze out at the vast expanse of Dianchi Lake, with the horizon blending seamlessly into the sky.
Xishan itself is a sandy mountain, with virtually no rocks to be seen, and the slopes are adorned with thriving pine trees. The air in Xishan Forest Park is exceptionally fresh, making it a popular escape. Locals in Kunming have a tradition of visiting Xishan on the third day of the third lunar month, known as “San Yue San.” On this day, people gather to sing mountain songs, exchange folk tunes, and enjoy lively dragon and lion dances.
Haigeng Park
Haigeng Park is located 8 kilometers from downtown Kunming. The term “Haigeng” refers to a long, wedge-shaped dike that stretches from east to west into Dianchi Lake. To the south of the dike lies the vast expanse of Dianchi Lake, while to the north is the “Cao Hai” (Grass Sea).
Haigeng Park is an ideal destination for relaxation and vacation, with its shaded willow trees, rippling waters, and picturesque views of fishing boats and sailboats. The park’s scenic beauty is further enhanced by the combination of landscaped gardens and nearby fishing villages. Highlights include the elegant pavilions, stone boats, and the Sea-view Corridor. Visitors can also enjoy lush green lawns, vibrant cherry blossom groves, luxurious yachts, and the seafront leisure square. During winter and spring, the park is home to tens of thousands of migratory seagulls, adding to its charm and creating an unforgettable experience.
Yunnan Nationalities Village
Yunnan Nationalities Village serves as a window into the rich social and cultural customs of the many ethnic groups in Yunnan. With its year-round spring-like climate, the village offers a harmonious blend of natural beauty and ethnic traditions, creating a pleasant environment filled with birdsong and flowers.
The village brings together numerous ethnic groups, including the Yi, Bai, Dai, Miao, Jingpo, Wa, Hani, Naxi, Lisu, and Dulong. It features ethnic villages, dance halls, cultural plazas, laser fountains, and a water curtain movie theater. The ethnic villages are presented through restored exhibits that showcase the cultural essence of Yunnan’s diverse ethnic groups. Visitors can explore a variety of unique village styles, arranged thoughtfully throughout the park, where they can experience authentic representations of ethnic architecture, daily life, and religious customs.