Kunming to Tibet

Dian Lake
Dian Lake (Dianchi in Chinese), located in the southwest part of Kunming City, is the eighth largest lake in China, the largest lake and largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province and the sixth largest freshwater lake in China, with 370 square kilometers in area, about 39 kilometers (24 miles) in length, 13 kilometers (8 miles) in width at its widest, 44 meters in depth, and 1,885 meters in elevation. This lake was formed by the subsidence of a fault zone.
Reputated as 'A Pearl on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau', this highland lake is surrounded by hills and crisscrossed by streams. More than twenty rivers nurture the lake. Four surrounding hills contribute great to the intoxicating picturesque scenery of this lake. It is wonderful to boat in this lake while appreciating the beautiful view.

Stone Forest
Known as the "First Wonder of the World", the Stone Forest is about 100 kilometers from Kunming. The Stone Forest is an art gallery created by nature. It was formed by karst two million to thirty mullion years ago, and a process of weathering and erosion.
Occupying an area of 2,670 square kilometers, the Stone Forest is divided into several scenic areas with names like Greater Stone Forest, Lesser Stone forest, Outer Stone Forest, Underground Stone Forest, Stone Forest Lake, and Da Dieshui Fall. From afar, it really looks like a dense forest but as you walk closer, you will find "trees" are all slender stone pinnacles. The Yi and Sani ethnic group who live there are good at singing and dancing.
The Stone Forest is also easily accessible by highway and railway between Kunming and the Stone Forest.

Yunnan Ethnic Village
The Ethnic Village is located at a narrow peninsula at the north shore of Dian Lake. In fact, it is a theme park displaying the colorful folklore and architecture of 25 ethnic groups residing in Yunnan Province, including the Yi, Dai, Miao, Jingpo, Wa, Hani, Naxi, Dulong and others. It acts as a good shortcut to understand the social customs of the ethnic groups in Yunnan. Each ethnic nationality has its own small village. There are all kinds of shows and performances, folklore and wax museums, replica buildings to present the unique folkways, lifestyles, religious beliefs and beautiful clothes of different minorities. You can also have a taste of the local dishes and buy pretty handicrafts.

Golden Temple
The Golden Temple is a famous Taoism temple located on the charming Mingfeng Hill, about 11 kilometers northeast of Kunming. The entire temple was built from bronze. All of the beam columns, doors, windows, roof tiles, Taoist statues, wall decorations, the banner near the gate and couplets, and so on, are made of bronze, which makes it glitter like gold in the shining sun. This is why it is called Golden Temple.
The Golden Temple was built in times of the Ming Dynasty. Its park is a national forest reserve with a natural scenery mingled with sites of historical interest and man-made gardens, it is also a large scenic resort in Kunming. The Golden Temple is 6.7 meters in height and 7.8 meters in width. The whole temple weighs more than 280 tons, making it not only one of the four largest bronze temples in China, but also the heaviest and best preserved.

Black Dragon Pool
The black Dragon Pool (also known as the Dragon Fountain Temple, or Heilongtan in Chinese) is located 12 kilometers northeast of Kunming city, at the foot of Longquan Hill. It was named after a legend stating that in ancient times there was a black dragon living in this pool. It first became a popular tourist attraction over 700 years ago during the Ming Dynasty. The area contains many attractions alongside the main tourist draw, the Black Dragon Pool itself.
Two important building complexes in the Black Dragon Pool are the Longquan Temple (Dragon Spring Temple) and Black Dragon Palace. In front of the two temples, visitors will find huge ancient trees, including a plum, cypress, and camellia tree. The plum tree was planted over 1,200 years ago during the Tang Dynasty. The ancient trees add even more charm to this particular attraction.

Yuantong Temple
Yuantong Temple, located at the foot of Yuantong Hill in the northern Kunming, the grandest as well as the most important Buddhist temple under State special protection in Yunnan Province. The temple was built during the Tang Dynasty, with a history of over 1,200 years. During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the temple was reconstructed and repaired several times to its present size and appearance.
Different from those Buddhist temples that are built on an ascendant, you enter Yuantong Temple from above and descend along a gently sloping garden path. The temple's great hall is at the lowest point of the temple. The view before you starting your peaceful walk beneath the gigantic cypress trees that line the garden path to the temple with its extensive array of flowers and foliage is deeply restful and impressive.

There are a few other attractions that are not included here. Just feel free to send us e-mail at inquiry@tibettravel.org for more information.