Green Lake Park (Cuihu)
翠湖公园
A lake park in the heart of old Kunming. In winter, gulls fly into the city center. Nearby are the Army Military Academy, Yunnan University, and Wenlin Street, making it an ideal place to experience everyday life in Kunming.
Green Lake lies northwest of Kunming's old town, at the western foot of Wuhua Hill. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was a bay of Dianchi Lake. Later, as the city grew around it, it became a lakeside park in the city center. The park covers about 21 hectares and is divided into four water areas by the nine-bend Jiuqu Bridge, Ruan Causeway, and Tang Causeway. Weeping willows line the banks, and Haixin Pavilion sits in the middle of the lake. Green Lake is the heart of daily life in Kunming. In the early morning, older residents practice tai chi, dance, and sing Dian opera. In winter, gulls fly in to mingle with people. There are fewer gulls than at Dianchi, but the lake is closer to the city center, so feeding them is easiest here. Nearby highlights include the Yunnan Army Military Academy on the west shore, the alma mater of Zhu De and Ye Jianying. Its yellow French-style building is free to visit and has historical exhibits. To the north is Yunnan University, founded in 1923, with its Huize Hall and ginkgo-lined avenue, which turns golden in autumn. Just outside the south gate of the university are Wenlin Street and Wenhua Lane, where cafés, bookshops, and small bars cluster. This is Kunming's most artsy district. About 800 meters northeast of the lake is Yuantong Temple, Kunming's oldest Buddhist temple, with admission around 6 yuan. Yuantong Hill Zoo is nearby, where cherry blossoms and flowering crabapples bloom in March. The park is free and open 24 hours. A recommended route is the Army Military Academy, a loop around the lake, Yunnan University, and dinner on Wenlin Street, which takes about 2 to 3 hours. In winter, you can also visit the lake at dusk to watch the gulls return to roost. Getting there: take Metro Line 2 or 3 to Dongfeng Square Station, or Line 3 to Pan Jia Wan Station, then walk 10 to 15 minutes. Buses 100 and 101 stop at Green Lake. Tips: parking around the lake is hard on weekends, so take the metro. Feed gulls only with official gull feed. The old-style rice noodle shops along South and North Green Lake Roads are worth trying.
Opening hours
Open all day; Jiangwu Hall 09:00–17:00 (closed Mon)
Nearby sights
- Yunnan Military Academy
- Wenlin Street & Wenhua Lane
- Yunnan University (Donglu Campus)
- Yuantong Hill (Kunming Zoo)
- Yuantong Temple
- Kunming Old Street (Wenming Street)
- Jingxing Flower and Bird Market
- Former Site of National Southwestern Associated University