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You’ve decided that Kunming, China is the best place for you to learn Chinese in China but now you’re thinking “what kind of Kunming attractioncs can I visit when I’m not studying? Is there any special sites for me to enjoy trips in Yunnan? ”
It’s an earnest question, and we’re here to answer it for you.
Kunming, China, is known for its beautiful, breathtaking, unique landscapes and, not to mention, has the nickname “city of eternal spring.” What city could beat that?
It is the capital and largest city of Yunnan Province in Southwestern China and is Yunnan’s political, economic, and cultural center. Kunming is also home to several universities, a private language school for learning Chinese in China like Keats School, museums, galleries, etc. There are so many things to do and to see in Kunming, that’s why we’re sharing with you 7 places to visit in Kunming, China, when you’re not studying.
If you want to look out at the landscape and be in awe that such a beautiful view exists, you’re going to want to visit Dongchuan Red Land, one of the famous Kunming touring attractions to visit when touring in Yunnan.
The colors of the land combined make it look like someone magically dropped a palette of paint on the ground to create this natural masterpiece. You can see reds, greens, whites, and yellows together in the hills.
The beauty is said to have been created by iron oxide being deposited slowly throughout centuries, gradually forming the colours.
Driving to this attraction will take a while, approximately a beautiful 3-hour drive by car from Kunming. There are several points of interest on the drive.
Do you know what to order in a local Chinese restaurant? Be sure to stop at one of the many restaurants to try Dongchuan noodles, Dongchuan potatoes, Dongchuan muttons, or yak hotpot.
Some buses can take you there for a trip but expect a slightly longer ride. Checking out what types of transportation you can have in China when learning and living here.
This attraction is free, and we suggest you visit in the late spring or early summer.
These amazing karst formations are located in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, around 90km east of Kunming. The tall rocks seem to pop up from the ground, with many looking like petrified trees, which explains the name “The Stone Forest.”
The Stone Forest became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 and has become a huge tourist attraction of Kunming.
In addition to the forest, there are the nearby Qifeng Caves, Lake Yue, and the Dadie Waterfall.
To sees these formations that are believed to be over 270 million years old will cost you CNY 175.
You can’t move to Kunming and not visit the Yuantong Temple.
The multi-colored temple is located centrally in the city and is one of the popular touring attractions in Kunming. It’s located close to Green Lake Park, an added bonus spot you should walk along!
Yuantong Temple is the most famous Buddhist temple in the city. It was first built in the late 8th and early 9th century, the time of the Nanzhao Kingdom in the Tang Dynasty.
The temple is known for its unusual structure, which is high in the front and lower in the back. Don’t forget to look out for the koi fish in the water below the bridge.
This attraction will cost you CNY 8 / 1 Euro / 1 USD to enter.
Dian Lake is the perfect spot to go for a walk along the nearby promenade, take a boat on or ride your bike around the lake. Don’t forget to bring some goodies for the nearby seagulls. You can’t visit Dian Lake without feeding the nearly famous birds that hang out there.
The lake is close to the Yunnan Ethnic Villages, Haigeng Bank, Xishan Forest Park, and several temples. It’s the 6th largest freshwater lake in China and has an area of 340 square feet.
This attraction will cost you nothing to view, and it’s open all year round. Lakes don’t go anywhere!
When you ask a local what Kunming attractions you cannot miss, over half of the persons will reply with the answer of the Western Hill Park.
To the west of Kunming, practically right next door to Dianchi Lake, the Sleeping Buddha Hill rises above the city. The nickname was created because when you look at the Western Hills from a distance, they look like a giant sleeping Buddha.
There are several scenic spots to visit around this area, including the Kunming Dragon Gate. The gate peaks up to 8,202 feet and has breathtaking views over the nearby lake and the city of Kunming.
It will cost you CNY 90 / 13.50 USD / 11 Euro to travel to the Dragon gate, including the cable car and shuttle bus rides.
Located in old Kunming, Nanping Business Street is a collection of finance and commerce buildings.
Take a walk through the street, which has become an emerging landmark of Kunming and an entertainment center. You can expect beautiful elaborate local crafts and fashionable, stylish clothing.
In addition to shopping, you need to taste the local snacks and food options on Nanping Street. There are 10 dishes you must try when you learn Chinese in Kunming.
It will cost you nothing to visit the street and window shop, but you will more than likely spend a little cash when you’re on Nanping Street.
The beautiful ancient town is different from the rest of Kunming. There is beautiful old architecture to gaze at, take pictures of, and dream about.
Much money has been spent on sprucing up this old town, with parts being converted into park space and pedestrian streets.
Not only is this town a place for tourists to visit, but many locals spend time there hanging out, having tea, playing games, and having meals together.
Like the attraction above, it’s free to visit the Ancient Town, but you could end up spending a bit of money, so prepare yourself for that.
Kunming and the surrounding areas offer so many attractions. Not only are there tourist attractions, but there are also attractions that are free that locals even love exploring, which means it’s worth the trip! Such as the 6 parks that you must see in Kunming or other Keats branch locations that allow you to enjoy both intensive Mandarin learning and a wonderful touring experience.
Besides Kunming city, Keats School has set up other branch school locations in different regions of Yunnan. Dali and Lijiang branch schools are located in the northwest of Yunnan; Puzhehei branch school can present you with the most amazing karst landscape; Yuanyang owns the famous intangible cultural heritage, the rice terrace fields; Xishuangbanna allows you to enjoy warm sunshine even during the cold winter; Tengchong and Jianshui are ancient border cities that can relax both your body and mind; Jingmai Tea Mountain is a good place to know more about Chinese tea, especially the famous Pu’er tea. With multiple learning programs and various learning locations for your choices, Keats School is the top Chinese language school you can have in China.
So, it’s time to start planning the trips you’re going to take when you’re not studying. Not sure where to start? Keats School in Kunming, China, offers a study program that includes touring around China. Not only that, but Keats teachers will help you plan your next day trip and give you advice on what to see, where to eat, and what to bring with you.
Contact Keats School today to apply to the Chinese Language Course + Tour In China or learn more about Keats Offers.
Yunnan is one of the most popular touring provinces in China. The diverse climates and landscape of Yunnan form its unique natural and cultural touring attractions.
The most famous touring destination including Lijiang, Dali, Shangri-La, Xishuangbanna, Tengchong, Puzhehei, Yuanyang, Jianshui, and Tengchong. Headquartered in Kunming, Keats School also has branch schools in most of these touring destinations. These branch schools are set up for convenient Keats students to study in different regions and experience Chinese culture as possible.
For the time being, the express train system and express road system are both well constructed. It takes only a few hours to reach different regions in Yunnan, especially those cities and towns that boast many famous touring attractions.
For those rural counties that are not convenient with transportation, Keats School will organize private transportations for Keats students to have a comfortable journey. As a Keats student, you would have no need to worry about these details. Keats School will try its best to arrange the best Chinese language learning & touring trips for each student.
You should come to Keats School and enroll in its Study and Tour program.
Keats School has rich experience in teaching the Chinese language and has set up a good connection with the local touring service suppliers. In most of the famous touring cities, Keats School also has set up its branch school offices. Therefore, you can enjoy comfortable accommodation, meals service, Chinese learning course, other events and local touring time, all of these services together at branch Keats School, which means your study & tour time at Keats School will be worth it! Keats School will make a detailed touring plan and arrange relevant hotels and meals for each student to enjoy too.
There are several branch offices of Keats School outside of Kunming. For example, all the above cities and counties have established Lijiang, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Jingmaishan, Tengchong, Puzhehei, Jianshui, and Yuanyang the branch offices of Keats School. Keats students can select these branch locations to enjoy both Mandarin learning and local cultural experience.
Green Lake Park is the most famous attraction among the 6 parks you must see in Kunming city.
Green Lake Park is a rather distinctive park located opposite the main entrance of Yunnan University in Kunming, and it is also a tourist attraction. As the name suggests, it is called the Green Lake because it is as refreshing as the emerald green jade. Coupled with Kunming’s warm climate like spring, Green Lake Park attracts countless red-headed seagulls every winter. The citizens here get along well with the seagulls.
I have 2 teachers, and I do 4 hours a day. So I have got Dong Laoshi and Jin Laoshi. Both of them are very good. They made the experience very nice to me. They are willing to help you whenever, so if you ever have a question here, the teachers are always there to help you whether it is visas, whether it is getting around the city. Everyone wants to talk to you.
It is very comfortable studying at Keats. The teachers are very friendly. I welcome you to come to study Chinese in China at Keats.
I think Kunming is a great city, the weather is really good. I really like Keats school and found it is very organized. The teachers here are very good. They have a coffee shop and new classrooms, a new lounge area here now, so you can chill out with your friends and practice your spoken Chinese with natives. If you’re considering coming to Keats to study, I would really recommend it. It’s the best place to learn Mandarin and I think it will be a great experience for you.
Last year I started studying Chinese at University. The reason that I came here is that currently, I’m preparing for the HSK 5 test. Also, I heard that this is one of the best schools to study Mandarin in China. After I came here I realized that Kunming is a pretty cool city to live in and with regards to the teachers’ teaching methods, I think they’re very professional. And I think the language environment is good so now I’m ready to take the HSK 5.
My name is Sarah Fish. I am 81. I knew very little Chinese when I arrived. How was I going to survive 2 weeks of intensive Chinese course? I have to laugh when I think of that now. What a positive experience this has been! I really wish we could be here a little longer. The teachers are extremely encouraging, evaluating first how much someone knows, and then starting from there.
Kunming is a great place to learn Chinese in China because not many Chinese on the street speak English. Keats has been a great school for me and a lot of other foreigners who studied in China recommended it to me. I think they are all right. The study method here is really structured. They make learning Chinese really easy. There are also a lot of cultural and natural places to visit.
It doesn’t matter what level of Chinese you have, or even you can start from the zero level. Your teacher will prepare the lessons according to your requirements. The advantage of living in the school is that you will have your tutoring, you will have your private accommodation with your own bathroom and all the meals provided. I highly recommend everybody to actually take the whole package because you get to meet other students.
At Keats, I have a lot of opportunities to practice what I have learned. I really like this school, because I can learn Chinese in one-on-one style, so I think this is the best immersion program in China and my teacher is the best teacher. I feel that without my teacher, my Chinese will definitely not improve so much. I’m very happy because, at Keats, I have improved my Chinese significantly.