Terminal Drop-Off Charge

A £5 charge now applies to vehicles dropping off passengers at the designated drop-off zones, located directly outside the terminals. Discounts and exemptions will apply. Free drop-off will be available at the Long Stay car parks.

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    • Kunming

    Kunming travel guide

    View China travel guide

    Overview

    Kunming is known as the 'City of Eternal Spring' due to its pleasant climate and attractive setting among limestone hills and large lakes. It's the capital of Yunnan Province in southern China, and encompasses an ancient city and a modern commercial district. It's also an important hub for trade and transportation, linking to Vietnam by rail and to Laos and Myanmar by road, but remains quite laid back by Chinese standards.

    The city has been rapidly modernised in the last few decades, perhaps to the detriment of traditional and cultural attractions. Nonetheless, there are still many to explore, including temples, museums, parks and gardens, and the fascinating Stone Forest. Jiuxiang Scenic Area also has a number of popular caves and waterfalls. All in all, the city and wider region offer a good cross-section of both modern and ancient China, plus beautiful scenery.

    Although a popular resort city in its own right, Kunming's status as a provincial capital and crossroads between countries also makes it very useful to tourists exploring the region.

    Stone Forest

    The Stone Forest of Shilin is a breathtaking and eerie landscape. The limestone pillars and stalagmites poking out of the green hillsides look like petrified trees, with rock formations believed to be over 270 million years old and formed by the slow erosion of time. The Shilin National Scenic Area includes seven areas: the Greater and Lesser Stone Forests (also called Lizijing Stone Forest), Naigu Stone Forest, Zhiyun Cave, Lake Chang, Lake Yue, Dadie Waterfall and Qifeng Cave. The Naigu Stone Forest and Suogeyi Village, also within the scenic area, are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Visitors can avoid the masses by going in the morning or early evening, and avoiding weekends and Chinese public holidays. They might even catch one of the few guides who can speak English.

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    Jiuxiang Scenic Area

    The Jiuxiang Scenic Area near Kunming is a breathtaking cave complex and the largest in China. Stone forests of karst limestone are littered throughout, with lush forests and underground waterfalls common in this subterranean world. Jiuxiang is also the home of the aboriginal Yi people and the excavated Yi cliff paintings of the Qin (221 BC - 206 BC) and Han (206 BC - 220 AD) dynasties. Yi customs and culture are still evident today in the many legends and folk stories. These are brought to life in the magical underground universe of Jiuxiang, which includes more than a hundred caves, as well as bridges, valleys and rivers.

    Address: Yiliang County
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    Yuantong Temple

    The ancient Yuantong Temple is easily one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kunming. The 8th-century temple is situated in a natural depression at the foot of Yuantong Hill, showcasing an interesting mixture of architectural styles from the Yuan and Ming dynasties. It should be remembered that it's still an active temple, where visitors can hear chanting and classes being conducted as they explore beside the monks and pilgrims.

    For a remarkable, panoramic view of the temple complex, travellers can climb Yuantong Hill by taking one of the stone staircases carved into the mountain on either side of the main hall. These stairways boast the most ancient inscriptions in Kunming, carved into the stone wall and still readable after centuries of exposure to the weather. There are also some impressive statues and carvings within the temple, such as the two ferocious dragons carved into the pillars, while the lovely scenic area of Green Lake is a 10-minute walk away.

    Address: Juantong Jie, Kunming.
    Opening time: Daily from 9am-5pm
    Yuantong Temple Yuantong Temple Gisling

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    English Pronounciation

    Kunming's subtropical highland climate causes dry winters and warm summers. The city's position on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau makes its conditions moderate by Chinese standards.

    The warmest part of the year lasts from early April to the middle of September, with average high temperatures sitting between 68°F (20°C) and 77°F (25°). Light to moderate rains and thunderstorms are frequent during this period, especially in July. Summer can have humidity levels of over 90 percent.

    The cold season lasts between the end of November and early February. Winter temperatures tend to average between 39°F (4°C) and 63°F (17°C), with occasional showers and little chance of snow.

    Even though conditions suit travel for most of the year, the period between March and October is popular with both locals and tourists.

    Kunming Changshui International Airport
    Location: The airport is located 24 miles (39km) from Kunming city centre.
    Time: GMT +8
    Getting to the city: Several bus routes connect the airport to the city.
    Airport Taxis: Taxis are available at the airport.
    Facilities: Airport facilities include shops, restaurants, snack bars, coffee shops, banks, a first-aid room, lounges, and a children's play area.
    Parking Parking is available at the airport.
    Website: www.ynairport.com/

    Most people use buses and taxis to get around Kunming, while inter-city travel is usually done in trains. The Kunming Railway Station is the most useful for travel to other parts of China. Long distance buses can also be used for travel between cities, with the South Bus Station providing access to most regional destinations.

    For local transport, the partially completed Kunming Metro has several operational lines in the city. In addition, Kunming has a highly developed bus system that is affordable and runs until around 10:30pm. Taxis are widely available except at peak traffic times, but travellers should have their destination written down in Chinese as very few drivers speak English. Travellers also have the option of hiring a bicycle from a hostel or hotel in the city.

    Although parts of Kunming are industrial and unattractive, its dramatic setting among limestone hills makes it special. Its tourist attractions are varied and impressive.

    Jiuxiang Scenic Area tops many travel itineraries, given that it's packed with natural phenomena that it could easily occupy visitors for a day or more. Jiuxiang has a magical subterranean world made up of more than 100 caves, as well as cliff paintings that date back to the Qin and Han dynasties. It also has several waterfalls and 'stone forests': striking limestone formations eroded over centuries to look like frozen trees. The Stone Forest of Shilin has the most impressive examples of these rather eerie formations.

    Travellers who want to venture off the beaten track should head to the Dongchuan Red Land in Huashitou Country. Although the area's lack of infrastructure can make travel less comfortable, the landscapes are unspoiled, colourful and startlingly beautiful.

    Yuantong Temple is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kunming. This active, beautiful Buddhist temple's history spans over 1 000 years. Green Lake is a popular park and lakeside area for relaxation, exercise and leisurely strolls.

    Otherwise, Kunming has many malls, cinemas, shopping streets and entertainment complexes.

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