Xihua Wetland Park in Kunming
Xihua Wetland Park (西华湿地公园) is located on the western shore of Dianchi Lake (滇池), at the foot of Guanyin Mountain (观音山). Covering an area of approximately 781 acres, the park includes 281 acres of ecological wetland. It is home to 1,225 trees, including willows (柳树), Yunnan camphor trees (滇朴), and peach trees (桃树), as well as over 250,000 clumps of aquatic plants. Xihua Wetland Park is a beautiful and tranquil place that photography enthusiasts should not miss. To appreciate the beauty of nature, one must possess the eyes to discover and capture beautiful moments. The scenery of Xihua Wetland retains a simple style, akin to a precious gem, pleasing to both the eyes and the heart. Each plant and tree grows freely, devoid of the uniform layout typically seen in gardens, offering only the simplicity of a natural environment. When you cannot experience nature’s original state in the city, venture further to let your eyes savor the vibrant landscapes of the wetland.
Directions
Self-Driving Route:
Starting from Xishan District (西山区):
- Enter Xingyuan Road (兴苑路) and drive for about 480 meters.
- Turn right onto the Second Ring West Road (二环西路) and drive approximately 80 meters.
- Head towards the Second Ring Expressway (A Line) and Mingbo Interchange, then slightly turn right.
- Drive for about 220 meters, then continue on Second Ring West Road for about 440 meters, turning right towards Anning (安宁).
- Enter G56 from the Mingbo Interchange entrance and drive 6.4 kilometers.
- Continue to Gaogao Interchange (高峣立交桥) and follow the G56 Expressway to Xihua Wetland Park.
Park Features
Xihua Wetland Park is a serene destination, featuring lush reeds, secluded boardwalks, the calls of shorebirds, and rippling winds. The landscape beautifully showcases the harmony between lake and mountains. Over 27,000 trees of the water-loving species, such as the middle mountain fir (中山杉), which effectively absorb nitrogen and phosphorus from the water and possess significant economic value, have been planted in the wetland. This contributes to the park’s three-dimensional wetland forest structure of trees, shrubs, and grasses. The surface of the water is adorned with reeds, cattails (香蒲), and windmill grass (风车草).
Park Information
- Chinese Name: 西华湿地公园
- Location: Next to Gaohai Road (高海公路) near Dianchi Lake (滇池)
- Area: 781 acres
- Opening Hours: Open year-round, Monday to Sunday, 00:00-24:00
Accessibility
To reach the park, start from Dianchi Road (滇池路) and take the Gaohai Expressway; the drive takes about half an hour. There are no nearby bus stops, so driving is the most ideal way to visit. The park’s stunning features, including dense reeds, winding boardwalks, the sounds of sea birds, and gentle wind ripples, create a breathtaking environment.
In recent years, the Xishan District Committee and District Government have focused on wetland construction, adopting strategies such as “pollution interception outside the lake, dredging within the lake, water diversion from outside, and ecological restoration.” They have implemented ecological restoration of the lakeside as a foundational approach for managing Dianchi Lake, striving to preserve the original environment as much as possible. Even the wild grasses next to the boardwalk are encouraged to grow naturally.
Overview of Attractions:
Departing from Dianchi Road and heading towards the exit of Gao Hai Expressway, it takes about half an hour by car. There are no nearby bus stops, so driving is the ideal mode of transportation. The park is characterized by dense reeds, secluded boardwalks, the sounds of seabirds, and the movement of wind and waves. The beauty of the lake and mountains is boundless.
Through the planting of more than 27,000 upright and aesthetically pleasing water-loving trees like Chinese fir, which efficiently absorb nitrogen and phosphorus from the water, Xihua Wetland Park has truly become a wetland forest park with a three-dimensional structure of trees, shrubs, and grasses. In recent years, guided by the principles of “pollution interception outside the lake, dredging inside the lake, water transfer from external areas, and ecological restoration,” the Xishan District Committee and Government have prioritized lakeside ecological restoration as the foundation of Dianchi Lake’s management, striving to preserve the original environment to the greatest extent possible, even allowing wild grasses to grow naturally along the boardwalk.
Address: Next to Gao Hai Expressway (near Dianchi Lake).
