Xiaobailong Forest Park in Yiliang County, Kunming
Chinese Name: 小白龙森林公园
English Name: Kunming Xiaobailong Forest Park
Location: 10 kilometers southwest of Yiliang County Town
Overview
The park features the natural scenery of forests as its main attraction, covering over 40,000 acres of evergreen forest. Following the principles of reflecting ethnic characteristics, forest features, and local characteristics, replicas of traditional dwellings from the 56 ethnic groups of China are built within the forest area, designed innovatively and aesthetically. Being surrounded by vast seas of trees provides a sense of returning to nature. Additionally, facilities such as a dance hall, tennis courts, swimming pool, hunting ground, dining area, and sanatorium have been constructed, making it an excellent destination for group spring outings or summer camps.
Geographic Environment
Xiaobaizhong Forest Park is located 10 kilometers west of Yiliang County Town in Yunnan Province and over 40 kilometers from Kunming. It is a newly emerging large-scale comprehensive forest scenic area.
Xiaobaizhong Forest Park is the largest comprehensive forest scenic area closest to the provincial capital in Yunnan Province. Located 10 kilometers southwest of Yiliang County, it is more than 40 kilometers east of Kunming and is adjacent to the provincial level Yangzonghai Tourism Resort area, featuring beautiful landscapes that complement each other. It is the largest forest area in the suburbs of Kunming, covering 624.8 hectares. Over 600 villas have been built in the forest, making it an ideal choice for summer vacation, leisure, and relaxation. Being here refreshes the mind and spirit, allowing one to fully appreciate the beauty of nature. If Yangzonghai is a dazzling pearl of the plateau, then Xiaobaizhong is a large and beautiful green emerald.
Development History
On May 1, 1999, it was approved as a national forest park by document No. 141 from the National Forestry Bureau. A local poet, Zheng Zurong, wrote:
“Seeking wild fun on distant peaks,
With evergreen trees, the Xiaobaizhong shines.
Autumn gathers mushrooms in delight,
Summer cools off with ease and comfort.
Deep in the mountains, childhood dreams linger,
In tranquil lands, elder winds are kind.
The new retreat for Zen meditation,
Not caring if foxes and rats disrupt the fairy trail.”
Natural Scenery
Xiaobaizhong Forest Park primarily features the natural beauty of forests, boasting over 40,000 acres of evergreen forests. It is the largest forest green space near Kunming. The dominant tree species include Yunnan pine and Huashan pine, alongside cypress, fir, larch, Tibetan cedar, snow cedar, oak, bamboo, camellia, chestnut, wild tea, rhododendron, southern candle, bayberry, pear, maidenhair fern, Yunnan magnolia, moss, and various animal and plant resources such as deer, hares, and birds. The park’s elevation ranges from 1,600 to 2,200 meters, with a relative height difference of 600 meters. It belongs to the low latitude plateau of central Yunnan, characterized by a north subtropical climate with little temperature variation between winter and summer, resembling spring in all four seasons. Thus, the timely development of Xiaobaizhong provides the people of Spring City with a new realm for summer relaxation, leisure, and vacation. Surrounded by vast seas of trees, visitors can gaze at the clouds, admire mountain flowers, enjoy the vibrant scenery, listen to the sounds of the pines and birds, pick bayberries, collect mushrooms, drink spring water, and relax on green moss, bringing joy and clarity of mind while fully experiencing and enjoying the beauty and wildness of nature. In addition to tourism, sightseeing, and wellness facilities, the park also features a Yiliang television transmission tower, a rehabilitation hospital, “sports gardens,” and “conference centers.” It offers the best venues for meetings, group spring outings, picnics, and summer camps, and serves as a natural classroom for scientific research activities in biology, ecology, plant community studies, and forest science.
Facilities
Xiaobaizhong Forest Park has now reached a total investment scale of over ten million yuan, attracting more than 30 domestic and foreign investors for development. While effectively preserving the natural ecological landscape, over 200 villas have been constructed within the forest, along with a ballroom, swimming pool, tennis courts for rehabilitation, observation tower, restaurant, shops, and parking lots, providing a series of supportive tourism, entertainment, and communication facilities.
Transportation
Driving from Kunming
- Option 1(Recommend): 59 minutes, 49.0 kilometers, 12 traffic lights, taxi fare approximately 126 RMB
- Option 2: 1 hour 12 minutes, 25 traffic lights, 43.7 kilometers, taxi fare approximately 112 RMB
- Option 3: 1 hour 1 minute, 51.3 kilometers, 14 traffic lights, taxi fare approximately 133 RMB
