Kunming overview

Kunming is in danger of buckling under its own tremendous beauty. The City of Eternal Spring is fast becoming one of eternal pollution, with the higher elevation and growing motor vehicle use producing a new, unwanted shroud of mystery. Once famous for its iconic wooden buildings and ramshackle alleyways, modernization has all but eliminated these in favour of apartments and shopping centres. Still, Kunming is one of the better Chinese cities for tourists to spend time in. Kunming is over 2,000 years old and has a history of pride and nobility that wooed the Mongols and Marco Polo. Most of this perished in the International Horticultural Exhibition of 1999, which razed traditional buildings and much of the city’s charm with them. An excellent transit point for exploring greater Yunnan, the city is blessed with a wonderful climate and laid back attitude, for now.