Kunming Attractions

Dianchi Lake or the "Pearl of the Plateau" is situated to the south of Kunming, as it's the largest lake in Yunnan, there are many things to do and see. West Mountain's Dragon Gate, known as "Sleeping Beauty," has cliffs bordering the western side of the lake that are perfect for hiking. On the way to the top you'll pass by both forgotten and refurbished temples, expansive vistas of the lake, gardens and the tomb of the musician Nie Er, the composer of the Chinese national anthem. There's a chairlift if you get too tired. More than a hike, this is a journey into China's history. The notable Huating Temple, dates to the 11th century and offers a quiet repose from the strains of hiking. Along the way, make sure to stop at the numerous viewpoints to soak in the beauty of the scenery: blue skies, green water with slow sailing fishing boats, the chirping of birds, and the grey peaks in the distance with the coastline dotted with fishing villages.

On the opposite side of the lake is Grand View Park, which features a Buddhist temple and the Grand View Tower. From here you can rent a boat to West Mountain or just to tour the lake while the rower serenades you with traditional Naxi songs.

Set in a national forest preserve, the Golden Temple has the largest bronze temple in China. The 6m-high Taoist temple was built in 1671 after the original Ming temple was taken to Dali, but this one is not threatened by the same fate: weighing an estimated 250 tons, it sits on a marble foundation.

Not far from the Golden Temple is the World Horticultural Exposition Garden, a major attraction for those with green thumbs. Flora and fauna are arranged in small gardens according to China's provinces and 34 different countries.

One can't help but feel awed by the Stone Forest, a natural wonder 83km southeast of Kunming. Spending the day there is a perfect way to see some of Yunnan's amazingly stark landscape. This place is breathtaking – a lake, caves, gorgeous vistas of the surrounding countryside and stone formations projecting from the ground provide the feeling of being in a primeval forest. Joining a tour is worthwhile as it provides historical and cultural context to the natural beauty of the place – just get there early be sure to find a group with an English-speaking guide. There are numerous different areas where one can see the rock formations, including Long Lake which has underwater stalactites and an island in the middle.

The forests come in all sizes, large and small, but some of the more interesting ones are the Major Stone Forest, Minor Stone Forest and Naigu Stone Forest. The stone formations are imaginatively likened to all kinds of animals, plants, people and other earthly creations. The stalactite studded Zhiyun Cave offers an underground version of the stone forests. Although not providing the same contrast of the sky against the stone, its containment within a cave gives it a surreal, awe-inspiring feeling. This bizarre natural wonder formed around 270 million years ago when the area was underwater. The movements of the earth's plates caused the limestone formations to rise then rain gradually wore down the limestone to make the peaks. There are many folk tales and customs surrounding the individual stone peaks –every year the Sani people gather here to celebrate the Torch Festival, which involves traditional performances, wrestling, bullfighting and a ceremony where young men propose to women by moonlight.

A legend surrounding Bamboo Temple stems from the surrounding bamboo forest: two brothers saw an unusual rhinoceros, which they followed deep into the forest where they spied odd monks performing an unknown ritual. When the monks saw the two brothers, they vanished, leaving only their walking sticks as evidence that they had ever existed. The following day the sticks had magically grown into a bamboo forest, the brothers then built the temple there as a sign of piety. Dating to the Song dynasty, the temple was rebuilt in the 1880's. The most noted feature of the temple is the 500 Buddhist arhats sculptures by Li Guangxiu. These sculptures are amazing, not just due to the quantity, but also in the craftsmanship of each individual arhat. Taking seven years from research to realization, each of these life-size sculptures is a reflection of the human personality and soul. The meticulous work that went into each is clearly visible in the sculptures' faces, stances and expressions.

For a low-key afternoon or evening in the city, spend some time in Green Lake Park in the university district, which is surrounded by teahouses and shops selling minority clothes and other goods. This is a relaxing place to go for a leisurely stroll; get up early enough and you can watch, and participate in early morning Tai Chi exercises.

Yunnan Provincial Museum has three exhibits: displaying ethnic clothes, bronze drums and Buddhist art. The museum provides a quiet and relaxed way to learn more about the city's history and culture.