Qicai Yunnan-Ancient Dian Town in Kunming
Overview
Qicai Yunnan – Ancient Dian Town (七彩云南·古滇名城) is located on the southern shore of Dianchi Lake (滇池) in Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province (云南省), covering an area of 16,000 acres. This large-scale cultural tourism complex integrates various functions, including cultural experiences, tourism, leisure, health and wellness, business exhibitions, and entertainment, all enriched by Yunnan’s unique climate, cultural resources, and beautiful natural surroundings.
Key Features
- Location: Kunming, Yunnan Province
- Developer: Nuoshida Group (诺仕达集团)
- Recognition: Rated as “2016 Yunnan Characteristic Tourism New Landmark”
- Area: 16,000 acres
- Opened: March 2017
Historical Background
Over 2,000 years ago, the ancestors of the Dianchi Lake area created the ancient and mysterious Ancient Dian Civilization (古滇文明). With the passage of time, this civilization faded into the annals of Yunnan’s history, leaving behind many unsolved mysteries. In the 1950s, archaeologists unearthed a vast number of bronze artifacts from the Ancient Dian cultural site, revealing rich historical and cultural information that astonished both domestic and international communities. This discovery unveiled a veil of history, awakening the ancient Dian culture and significantly contributing to the understanding of Yunnan’s cultural resources and the development of the cultural industry in China, as well as enriching the history of global civilization.
In 2012, the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the Communist Party and the Yunnan Provincial Government made a strategic decision to establish ten major historical and cultural tourism projects, ranking Qicai Yunnan – Ancient Dian Town as the top project. The Nuoshida Group took on the task of constructing this site, utilizing the ancient Dian cultural site in Shizhaishan (石寨山) of Jinning District (晋宁区), the bronze artifacts unearthed along the shore of Dianchi Lake, and the vibrant essence of ancient Dian culture, combined with ethnic customs and natural scenery. The aim was to create a mysterious, open, harmonious, and ecological “Ancient Dian Cultural Tourism City,” bringing the profound ancient Dian culture from underground to the surface, transforming the intangible into the tangible.
In January 2015, General Secretary Xi Jinping (习近平) visited Yunnan and emphasized that the province should become a “demonstration area for ethnic unity and progress, a leader in ecological civilization construction, and a radiation center towards South and Southeast Asia.” The Kunming Municipal Committee and the Kunming Municipal Government earnestly implemented Xi Jinping’s important speech. Following a comprehensive plan featuring “one tourist attraction, one tourism resort, one tourist town, and one modern new city,” the Nuoshida Group adhered to the developmental concept of “integrating culture and tourism, urban and rural areas, and scenic spots and cities.” They aimed to promote historical and cultural heritage, showcase ethnic customs, facilitate economic and social development, support ecological civilization construction, and improve living conditions, striving to create a culture-centric, environmentally friendly, resource-saving, and beneficial city area.
Basic Information
Qicai Yunnan – Ancient Dian Town is a key project among Yunnan’s top ten historical and cultural tourism sites, serving as a supporting project for the three-year action plan for the tourism industry transformation and upgrading (2016-2018). Since its inception in 2012, the planning and construction of various projects have progressed smoothly. Notable completed sub-projects include the Ancient Dian Art Sea Pier (古滇艺海大码头), Ancient Dian Wetland Park (古滇湿地公园), Ancient Dian Hot Spring Resort (古滇温泉山庄), Qicai Yunnan – Happy World Theme Park (七彩云南·欢乐世界主题乐园), and the Ancient Dian Crowne Plaza Hotel (古滇皇冠假日酒店). The Ancient Dian Museum (古滇博物院) has completed its main structure and is currently undergoing interior decoration and exhibition design, with the Ethnic Village (民族部落) set to begin construction soon.
By achieving the goals of being the first to start construction, be the first to be completed, and the first to operate, substantial investments of approximately 20.2 billion yuan have been made, accommodating over 7.32 million visitors. Notably, during the Spring Festival “Golden Week” in 2019, the site welcomed 314,000 visitors, surpassing the traditional representative attraction of Kunming, Shilin (石林). The project has transitioned from an inward-focused visitor base primarily from locals to an outward-focused one, attracting more visitors from outside the province.
Project Positioning
Qicai Yunnan – Ancient Dian Town aims to become a top-tier tourism destination in China, integrating quality cultural projects, scenic spots, and tourism distribution functions. The project will embody national characteristics while harmonizing with the surrounding natural environment. It will be developed into a 5A-level eco-tourism demonstration area, a large cultural tourism complex, and a modern, eco-friendly, highland lakeside city, setting a benchmark for ecological tourism and ethnic cultural tourism in the nation.
Geographic Location
Qicai Yunnan – Ancient Dian Town is situated in the Xinjie area of Jincheng Town (晋城镇) in Jinning District, Kunming, Yunnan Province, serving as the core area of the “Modern New Kunming South City.” It is backed by Liangwang Mountain (梁王山) and faces Dianchi Lake. The site is located within the historical boundaries of the ancient Dian Kingdom, offering profound historical and cultural significance. It is approximately 35 kilometers from the main urban area of Kunming, 70 kilometers from Changshui International Airport (长水国际机场), and 10 kilometers from Kunming South Station (昆明南站). The site is easily accessible via several highways, including the Hu’nan Road (环湖南路), Kunming-Yuxi Expressway (昆玉高速公路), and Kunming-Chuxiong Expressway (昆楚高速公路).
Honors Received
In January 2016, Qicai Yunnan – Ancient Dian Town was awarded the title of “National Ecotourism Demonstration Zone” by the Environmental Protection Department of the National Tourism Administration, marking it as Yunnan’s only site to be listed in 2015. On August 18, 2016, it was recognized as a “2016 Yunnan Characteristic Tourism New Landmark” during the “Most Yunnan – New Discoveries” event hosted by the Yunnan Provincial Government’s Information Office and organized by Xinhua News Agency. Additionally, on December 11, 2019, the National Ethnic Affairs Commission designated Qicai Yunnan – Ancient Dian Town as the seventh batch of “National Demonstration Zones for Ethnic Unity and Progress.”
Project Planning
- Core Area of Ancient Dian Culture
- This area aims to showcase the ancient Dian culture through projects focused on its historical and bronze culture, including the Ancient Dian Museum, Dian King Forest Park (滇王林苑), and Ancient Dian Art Sea Pier.
- Ethnic and Folk Culture Exhibition Area
- This area will highlight the customs and traditions of Yunnan’s ethnic minorities, featuring projects like the Ethnic Epic Plaza (民族史诗广场) and Ethnic Village.
- Ecological Landscape Demonstration Area
- The goal is to achieve harmonious development between natural ecology and the landscape, with projects such as Wetland Park and Changyao Mountain Ecological Experience Area (长腰山生态体验区).
- Modern Tourism Service Supporting Area
- This area will offer comprehensive modern tourism services, including the Ancient Dian Grand Theater (古滇大剧院) and Qicai Yunnan Shopping Plaza (七彩云南购物广场).
- Dianchi International Wellness and Retirement Resort Area
- Aimed at creating a premier retirement and wellness base for the nation, featuring the Dianchi International Wellness Retirement Resort.
- Qicai Yunnan – Happy World Theme Park
- This theme park will enhance the entertainment experience, catering to visitors of all ages.
- Demonstration Area for People’s Livelihood Projects
- This area will promote new urbanization and integrated development, featuring the Sanhe Community (三合小区) and associated schools.
- Core Area of New Kunming South City
- This area will focus on building an environmentally friendly, low-carbon, and livable modern city, with major projects including a commercial center and public service facilities.
Project Impact
The construction of Qicai Yunnan – Ancient Dian Town will play a significant demonstrative role in improving the economy and society of Kunming and Yunnan Province, enhancing the quality of life for residents and improving the ecological environment. The project fully leverages and explores the ancient Dian culture, aiming to create a large cultural and ecological tourism project that establishes brands based on Ancient Dian civilization, history, and cultural industries. By integrating wetland sightseeing and ecological vacationing, it will transform traditional economic industries and product structures within the region to meet diverse domestic and international demands.
