[2025 Kunming Attraction] Travel Guide for Lingxu Pavilion (Updated May)

Kunming, with its eternal spring climate, is a city cherished by sunshine and the fragrance of flowers. Here, the shimmering waves of Dianchi Lake and the legend of the Sleeping Beauty of Western Hills complement each other. Taking the cable car to the top offers a panoramic view of the city’s mountains and waters, as if stepping into a painting. 【Dianchi Lake · Haigeng Dam】 The vast Dianchi Lake stretches five hundred miles before your eyes; this is Kunming’s "lung of the city." In winter, flocks of red-billed gulls dance gracefully, while in summer, the emerald waves ripple like a painting. Whether cycling, strolling, or boating, you will encounter the gentle charm of this highland lake. 【Western Hills · Lingxu Pavilion City View】 "Not climbing Western Hills is like not visiting Kunming." Take the cable car across Dianchi Lake, ascend Longmen to overlook the entire Spring City, and touch the millennium-old Taoist culture in the cliffside grottoes. The orange glow and sea of clouds at sunset are truly breathtaking. 📍 Stone Forest Wonder: A geological legend spanning hundreds of millions of years, with diverse karst landscapes. Walking through it feels like wandering in an alien secret realm. 📍 Green Lake Red-billed Gulls: A winter-only romance, dancing with the Siberian spirits that come from afar, experiencing the purest harmony between humans and nature. 📍 Dounan Flower Market: Asia’s largest fresh flower trading market, where you are instantly immersed in floral fragrance, and for just 10 yuan, you can take home the colors of an entire spring! 📍 Guandu Ancient Town: The bustling atmosphere of a thousand years of history, with the intangible cultural heritage food "Guandu Baba" that, with one bite, fills you with the warmth of old Kunming. Kunming is a city that has spring planted deep in its bones! From the aroma of crossing-the-bridge rice noodles in the morning to the golden light and shadows at Jinma Biji Square at dusk, Kunming always lets you forget time with its most leisurely rhythm. ✨ Click to save, next stop, see you in the Spring City!

From the highest point currently open in the Xishan Scenic Area, you can get a panoramic view of Dianchi Lake and Kunming City. If you don't want to take the cable car but also don't want to climb the mountain, it's a good idea to enter through the Maomaoqing entrance. It takes about 15 minutes to reach the top, and from there you can enjoy various sceneries as you descend. The hike itself is an attractive experience. A walk amidst the beauty of nature helps you forget the fatigue of travel, and the view from the top is a rewarding payoff for your efforts. Consider this route when visiting Xishan.

In the early morning, I rode my bike from Maomaoqing (猫猫箐) towards the South Gate (南门), feeling a bit tired as I slowly climbed the stone steps. However, my anticipation of witnessing the sunrise far outweighed my fatigue. Shortly after, I arrived at Lingxuge (凌虚阁), and the first thing that caught my eye was the night view of Kunming. Looking down at the twinkling lights of Kunming city, it was hard to believe it was still early morning. We eagerly watched the sky for changes, and soon, a bright light began to emerge from the horizon. That was the beginning of dawn. The cold air brushed against my cheeks, but enduring the chilly February wind to witness the magnificent sunrise at the edge of the sky made everything worthwhile. The beauty of that moment made me forget my tiredness, and experiencing the wonders of nature firsthand was truly special.