Jiaoye Park in Kunming
Jiaoye Park昆明郊野公园, also known as Countryside Park, is one of the largest parks in the suburban area of Kunming (昆明), with a total area of 180 hectares and a sightseeing area of 62.5 hectares. The park is renowned for its picturesque landscapes, especially during spring when the hills are blanketed with blooming flowers like camellias, pear blossoms, wild cherries, apricots, and many other unnamed flowers, both herbaceous and woody, creating a stunningly beautiful spring scene.
The vibrant peach blossom is the symbol of the park. Over the past ten years, more than 5,000 peach trees have been planted along the 2-kilometer roadsides by the park staff. After the Chinese New Year, the peach buds begin to swell, and by March, countless flower buds bloom together, revealing a spectacular “sea of peach blossoms.” These peach flowers come in red and white, with white petals showing red accents. Some trees even bear blossoms of two different colors on one tree, and within a single flower, two shades may appear. This unique phenomenon is known as “Er Jiao” (二娇), which fascinates visitors.
Park Overview
Jiaoye Park is located at the foot of Yunan Mountain (玉案山), west of Kunming, and backed by Qipan Mountain (棋盘山). It is also adjacent to Qiongzhu Temple (筇竹寺) to the west. The park allows visitors to bring pets and even offers self-service barbecue areas, making it an ideal destination for outdoor leisure activities.
- Location: West of Kunming, Yunnan Province (云南省), at the foot of Yunan Mountain, adjacent to Qiongzhu Temple
- Opening Hours: 08:00–18:00
- Ticket Price: 8 yuan
- Country: China
- City: Kunming, Yunnan Province
- Recommended Visiting Duration: 2-3 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Year-round
History
Since its opening in 1990, Jiaoye Park has attracted millions of visitors. It has become a popular destination for those seeking outdoor activities and nature exploration. With its vast sightseeing area, the park blends the natural charm of rural landscapes with the best features of urban parks. Within the park, visitors can enjoy the plum blossoms found in Heilongtan (黑龙潭), the camellias of Jindian (金殿), the magnolias of Xishan (西山), and the cherry blossoms of Yuantong Mountain (圆通山), all in one place.
Main Attractions
The primary attraction of Jiaoye Park is its stunning natural beauty. In early March, the hills are filled with camellias, pear blossoms, wild cherries, apricot blossoms, and many other vibrant flowers. These blossoms create a breathtakingly beautiful spring scene, attracting visitors from all over. The park’s peach blossoms are particularly famous, featuring rows of peach trees with flowers in both red and white hues, forming a stunning natural spectacle.
One of the park’s most curious features is a peach tree with blossoms of two different colors on the same tree. In fact, some individual flowers even exhibit two shades of color, earning them the unique name “Er Jiao” (二娇).
Attractions and Key Names:
- Kunming (昆明)
- Jiaoye Park (郊野公园)
- Yunan Mountain (玉案山)
- Qipan Mountain (棋盘山)
- Qiongzhu Temple (筇竹寺)
- Heilongtan (黑龙潭)
- Jindian (金殿)
- Xishan (西山)
- Yuantong Mountain (圆通山)
- Er Jiao (二娇) (two-color peach blossoms)
