Laoyuhe Wetland Park of Dianchi Lake Scenic Area in Kunming
Laoyuhe Wetland Park (捞鱼河湿地公园) is located in Zhonghe Village (中和村), along Huanhu East Road in Kunming (昆明). This wetland park has been renovated to balance ecological functions with scenic beauty. In the past, large-scale lake reclamation projects turned much of Dianchi Lake’s (滇池) wetlands into fish ponds and farmlands, which decreased the lake’s ability to purify itself and led to worsening water quality. In recent years, with the continued progress of Dianchi Lake’s ecological restoration projects, a closed ecological belt has formed. This belt, with an average width of about 200 meters, covers an area of around 33.3 square kilometers, and more than 80% of the region is covered by vegetation. This ecological green barrier along the lakeshore serves to protect the lake, and Laoyuhe Wetland Park is just one of the many wetland parks in this region.
Ecological Importance and Natural Beauty
At the entrance of the park, visitors are greeted by rows of dawn redwood trees (水杉), one of the three “living fossils” in China’s plant world. As you move closer to Dianchi Lake, the wetland merges seamlessly with the lake, where the blue sky meets the sparkling waters, creating a breathtaking landscape that draws many visitors to relax and enjoy nature.
Wetlands are often called “the lungs of nature” because they play a critical role in regulating the balance between human activities and the environment. They also serve as a vital ecological buffer zone, preventing pollutants from entering Dianchi Lake. Laoyuhe Wetland Park offers visitors a peaceful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle, with opportunities to enjoy vibrant flowers, breathe in the fresh air from the green meadows, and get close to Dianchi Lake under the clear blue sky.
Tulip Wonderland
The tulips planted in Laoyuhe Wetland Park are imported directly from the Netherlands. There are 11 varieties of tulips, including Virelande (维兰迪), Parade (检阅), Blaze (烈焰), Dynasty (王朝), Pink Giant (巨大粉), Avocado (阿夫可), Big Goose (熊鹅), Cocktail (鸡尾酒), Purple Flag (紫旗), Grand Duke (大王子), and World Love (世界真爱). These tulips come in four distinct colors and are currently in full bloom, with a flowering period of 25 days. The blooming tulips provide visitors with an experience akin to a “Fragrant Journey to Holland.”
Transportation to Laoyuhe Wetland Park
- By Car: Drive along Dianchi Road (滇池路) and turn onto Huanhu Road (环湖路), or take Kunyu Road (昆玉路) and exit at Chenggong Station (呈贡站). From there, turn onto Tuofeng Street (驼峰街) and continue on Huanhu East Road. After passing through the Qixing Mountain Tunnel (七星山隧道), the park will be on your right about three kilometers after exiting the tunnel.
- By Public Transport: Take Line 1 of the Kunming Metro and get off at University Town South Station (大学城南站). From there, take Bus 222 to Zhonghe Village Station (中和村站), and walk 40 meters to the flower fields.
