Dianchi Tourism & Vacation Zone in Kunming

Introduction About Dianchi Lake Scenic Area

The Dianchi Lake Scenic Area is located in the southwest part of Kunming City. Dianchi Lake is the center of the resort. There are numerous attractions along the lake captivating tourists. Among these are the Yunnan Ethnic Villages, Daguan Park, Baiyukou Park, Haigeng Bank, Kwan-yin Hill, Xishan Forest Park, temples and pagodas.Towns, big or small near the lake provide visitors with an opportunity to experience customs of the local people.

Main Attractions in Dianchi Lake Scenic Area:

Dianchi Lake（滇池）

Dianchi Lake is about 300 square kilometers (74,132 acres). It is the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province and the sixth largest one in China. With picturesque scenery and its location on the Yungui Plateau, the lake has a reputation as ‘A Pearl on the Plateau’. Unfortunately, the lake has been badly polluted. Although efforts have been made to save the lake, they have been largely unsuccessful.

The lake is crescent-shaped, about 39 kilometers (24 miles) in length and 13 kilometers (8 miles) in width at its widest. Its natural banks are formed by mountains on all four sides. More than twenty rivers nurture the lake which has a shoreline of 163.2 kilometers (101 miles). Four surrounding hills contribute to the picturesque landscape, making visitors intoxicated and linger around. You may appreciate the beauty of the lake and hills from a boat, and explore this cradle of Yunnan culture.

Yunnan Ethnic Villages ( 云南民族村)
The Yunnan Ethnic Village acts as a good shortcut to understand the social customs of the ethnic groups in Yunnan. It has a natural sun-bathing area where you can escape from the heat of summer. Twenty-five ethnic nationalities have their respective villages and conduct many activities to present their unique folkways and beautiful clothes. Also you can enjoy the water screen movie and an elephant performance, have a taste of the local dishes and buy pretty handicrafts.

Daguan Park (大观园)

Daguan Park is vibrant with rock gardens, pavilions, bridges and murmuring water. It is famous for the longest couplets in China on the Daguan Pavilion (dà guān lóu 大观楼). The Daguan Pavilion was built in the year 1828. It commands a lovely view. The couplet written in the Qing (qīng 清) Dynasty (1644-1911), contains 180 characters brimming with literary grace. During festival evenings, gatherings take place here

Baiyukou Park (白鱼口公园)
Baiyukou Park is on the west bank of Dianchi Lake. Here a small hill looks like a white fish opening its mouth to Dianchi Lake. Near the Irregular shore line, beautiful gardens are hidden among green trees. In spring, the cherry trees are in blossom, adding luster to this serene place. Overlooking Dianchi Lake, you can see white sails of boats on the glistening lake and gulls skimming over the waves.

Haigeng Bank (海埂)
Haigeng Bank is about four kilometers (2.5 miles) long while ranging in width from forty meters (131 feet) to three hundred meters (984 feet). The bank, like a floating jade belt, is in fact a watershed of the Dianchi Lake. Slender willow twigs sweep the lake in the gentle breeze. In the south is a wonderful natural swimming pool which is always crammed with people in midsummer.

Kwan-yin Hill(观音山)
Kwan-yin Hill is bordered by the vast lake and has an altitude of 2,040 meters (6,693 feet). Lofty peaks on this hill seem to thrust themselves straight towards the sky. A Kwan-yin Temple built here in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) was once a popular resort of Buddhism. Remaining are a seven-tier brick pagoda, houses, and a gate to the Kwan-yin Temple.How to get there: A Taxi ride to the northern section of the lake near Daguan Tower lakeside from the city center should cost you a mere Y15. You can also take bus 24 , 44 and get off at Haigeng Bank.

Location and Size

• Geographical Area: The resort covers a total area of 47.5 square kilometers, comprising Haigeng District (22.5 square kilometers) and Dayu District (25 square kilometers).
• Population: It is home to approximately 110,000 residents.

Haigeng District

• Core Area: Located southwest of Kunming city, Haigeng District is the focal point of the Dianchi Lake ecotourism circle.
• Tourism Offerings: Over 100 tourism programs cater to sightseeing, leisure, business meetings, fitness, and pleasure.
• Facilities and Attractions:
  • Includes a national 4A-level scenic spot.
  • Features the largest and most sophisticated conference center in Yunnan province.
  • Hosts three museums, two 18-hole golf courses, two professional sports centers, four four-star hotels, and multiple sports facilities (e.g., football fields, tennis courts, natatoriums, bowling alleys).
• Cultural Experience: Visitors can explore the customs of 25 ethnic minorities, engage in sports training on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, and enjoy leisure vacation activities focused on fitness.

  

Dayu District

• Location: Situated southwest of Chenggong District, adjacent to the eastern shore of Dianchi Lake.
• Development Focus: Emphasizes high-end tourism, service industries, and innovation.
• Infrastructure: Includes an 18-hole golf course, major highways, a 110kV transformer substation, sewage interception projects, and sewage and rain disposal facilities.
• Ecological Commitment: Aims to become a comprehensive tourism area with world-class ecological standards.

Economic Impact (2012 Data)

• Industrial Added Value: Reached 13.11 billion yuan, showing a 23.5% increase from the previous year.
• Fiscal Revenue: Totaled 3.79 billion yuan, with local public financial budget revenue surpassing 1 billion yuan for the first time.
• Investment: Significant investment in fixed assets, amounting to 5.62 billion yuan.
• Service Industry Revenue: Generated 33.66 billion yuan, with tourism contributing 1.06 billion yuan, marking a 21.2% increase from the previous year.
• Tourism Statistics: Attracted over 10 million visitors for the first time, with 10.42 million person-times, accounting for 22.5% of all visitors to Kunming.

Location and Scenic Beauty

• Geographical Location: Dianchi Lake is situated to the southwest of Kunming City, the capital of Yunnan Province. It covers an area of approximately 298 square kilometers and is renowned for its scenic beauty, surrounded by rolling hills and mountains.
• Natural Features: The lake is the largest in Yunnan and the sixth largest freshwater lake in China. It is fed by numerous streams and rivers, including the Jinsha River, and serves as an important water source for Kunming and its surroundings.

  

Tourism Attractions

• Scenic Spots: The tourism zone encompasses various scenic spots and viewpoints offering panoramic views of Dianchi Lake and the surrounding landscape. Visitors can enjoy the serene beauty of the lake, especially during sunrise and sunset.
• Cultural Sites: There are several cultural attractions around the lake, including temples such as the Dragon Gate Temple (Longmen) and the Grand View Pavilion (Daguanlou), which provide insights into local history and architecture.
• Recreational Activities: Tourists can engage in a variety of recreational activities such as boating, yacht cruising, fishing, and lakeside picnicking. Cycling and hiking trails around the lake offer opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to explore the natural surroundings.

Development Goals and Infrastructure

• Tourism Infrastructure: The zone has developed comprehensive tourism infrastructure to accommodate visitors, including hotels, resorts, guesthouses, and vacation rentals offering a range of accommodations from luxury to budget-friendly options.
• Facilities: Restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, and recreational facilities like water sports equipment rental centers are available to enhance visitor experiences.

  

Cultural and Historical Significance

• Dragon Gate Temple (Longmen): Located on the western hills overlooking Dianchi Lake, this Taoist temple complex features intricate stone carvings and is a popular pilgrimage site.
• Grand View Pavilion (Daguanlou): Built during the Qing Dynasty, this pavilion offers panoramic views of the lake and the distant Western Hills, attracting tourists for its historical significance and architectural beauty.

Environmental Conservation and Sustainability

• Ecological Protection: Efforts are made to preserve the ecological balance of Dianchi Lake and its surrounding ecosystem through environmental conservation projects and sustainable tourism practices.

Visitor Experience and Accessibility

• Accessibility: The Kunming Dianchi Tourism & Vacation Zone is easily accessible from Kunming City by road, with regular bus services and taxis available. Kunming Changshui International Airport provides convenient access for domestic and international travelers.
• Visitor Services: Tourist information centers provide guidance on attractions, activities, and local tours, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience for visitors exploring the Dianchi Lake area.

How to Get here?

By Bus

Take Bus 24, 44, 73, 94, 135, 172 or 233, and get off at Haigeng Gongyuan (Haigeng Park) Station.

By Taxi

Take a taxi to the Haigeng Park (near Dianchi Lake Scenic) costs about RMB25 yuan, it is about 12 kilometers from the Nanping Pedestrian Street of Kunming.

Passenger car

There is special line for traveling to Dianchi, you can take that car in the city center.

Private Tour (Top Recommended)

If you want to get rid of hustle of public transportation and troublesome navigation, you can book a private tour package which covers sightseeing, dining and transfer from us. Our local tour guide and driver will escort you to Dianchi Lake with speed and convenience, and take care of all the details. You just need to focus on sightseeing.

Travel Tips:

1.Recommended travel itinerary in Kunming including the Dianchi Lake: Visitors can firstly go to the West Hill Forest Park for a visit, then take the cable car from Longmen (the gate of the dragon) to Dianchi lake (Ticket price at RMB30).

2.There is no entrance fee charged at the Dianchi Lake, the entrance fee for Haigeng Park is RMB8 yuan. If guest do not want to take boat during the visit, a half day is enough for a visit to Dianchi Lake. If you want to explore the lake further, you can rent a bicycle and spend two days to cycle around the Dianchi, it is about 200 km.