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City guide

Kunming, China

Kunming is the capital and largest city of the province of Yunnan in China. The political, economic, communications and cultural centre of the province, Kunming is also a major tourism centre in China.

Type City

Why go

  • Capital city of Yunnan, China.
  • Served by Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG).

History

Kunming is the capital and largest city of the province of Yunnan in China. The political, economic, communications and cultural centre of the province, Kunming is also a major tourism centre in China. It is nicknamed the "City of Eternal Spring" for its year-round mild climate. During World War II, Kunming was a Chinese military center and the location of the headquarters for the U.S. Army Forces China-Burma-British Raj. Wujiaba Airport served as the home of the First American Volunteer Group (AVG) of the Republic of China Air Force, nicknamed the Flying Tigers. Kunming was also a transport terminus for the Burma Road.

Restaurants & places to go

Chinese, Restaurant · Opening hours: 24hours everyday · 74 文林街, 昆明市, 650031 · none
Indoor
Pasta, Pizza, Western Breakfast, Restaurant · Opening hours: Tu-Su 08:00-21:30 Features: outdoor seating, takeaway · 7, Kunming · lostgardenguesthouse.com
Indoor
Chinese, Hotpot, Restaurant · Chinese/Hotpot restaurant · 569号 滇池路, 昆明市 · haidilao.com
Indoor

297 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG) 24 km to the centre
Kunming, 53, CN — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 36 airlines (China Eastern Airlines, China Southern Airlines, Cargo Plus Aviation, Shenzhen Airlines…) · direct flights to 95 destinations incl. Jinghonggasa, Chengdu, Chongqing, Changcha, Hangzhou… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 36 airlines, 95 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor

Getting there by ferry

Ferry terminal
Ferry terminal · 11 km from the centre
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Kunming Changshui International Airport (KMG); 1 other airport serves the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: KMG has direct flights to 95 destinations on 36 airlines (incl. Jinghonggasa, Chengdu, Chongqing, Changcha, Hangzhou…). By water: 1 ferry terminal within 20 km.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Kunming, China. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Charter · Gulfstream, Global, BBJ · China's largest business-jet operator.
Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.