Kunming is animated by water and grounded by mountains. Dianchi Lake reflects the sky like a mirror, while the Western Hills rise as a natural backdrop, with flowers blooming throughout the year. As the New Year begins, a diverse sightseeing route is gradually taking shape along the shores of Dianchi Lake, bringing together gull watching, floral exhibitions, themed markets, and ethnic cultural experiences. These offerings invite residents and visitors to engage with nature in diverse ways and experience “Yunnan: A Many-Splendored Life.”

Seven Signature Gull-Watching Sites Showcase Kunming’s Ecological Identity  

Every winter, black-headed gulls arrive right on schedule, becoming Dianchi Lake’s most beloved ecological emblem. From Haigeng Dam to the surrounding lakeside wetlands, scenes of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature unfold along the shoreline.

At Haigeng Dam, visitors stroll along the water’s edge, where gulls in flight blend with boats, distant mountains, and the city skyline to create a vivid winter tableau. At Baofeng Wetland Park, swaying reeds and low-flying gulls searching for food present a tranquil and poetic natural scene. Xinghai Peninsula Wetland offers expansive open water, where birds are reflected against clouds and sunset hues, creating a bright and unobstructed view.

Xiliangtang Wetland Park and Wangguan Wetland Park are known for their serenity, with winding waterways and gulls silhouetted against the setting sun, making them ideal spots for photography and relaxation. Fubao Peninsula, located close to the urban area, captures gulls and the city skyline in the same frame, highlighting the harmonious blend of nature and modern life.

For a closer encounter with lake ecosystems, visitors can enjoy boat-based gull-watching at Haihong Wetland Park and explore the distinctive “water forest” landscape at Laoyu River National Wetland Park. South Dianchi National Wetland Park is rich in aquatic vegetation, with rows of metasequoia trees lining the lakeshore to form a distinctive “red shoreline” in winter, where various species of waterbirds often gather. Known as Kunming’s “Sky Mirror,” Ganggouwei Wetland has emerged as a lesser-known destination, celebrated for its striking reflections where water and sky merge seamlessly.

Winter Flower Exhibitions Abound, Keeping the “Spring City” in Bloom Year-Round

Along the shores of Dianchi Lake, flowers remain in full bloom even in winter. Along Hongta West Road, winter cherry blossoms burst into shades of rosy pink, shimmering in harmony with the rippling waters of Dianchi Lake in the distance. The area has become a popular destination for residents and visitors alike to experience the romantic charm of Kunming.

At Haigeng Park, the Scarlet Dream of Dian: Amaryllis Valley Art Exhibition features tens of thousands of amaryllis plants, creating an immersive floral art experience. Running through March 2026, the exhibition brings vibrant color to the seasonal transition from winter to spring.

Themed Markets Blend Tradition and Modernity, Enhancing Lakeside Lifestyle Experiences

A variety of themed markets along the Dianchi Lake shoreline offer visitors immersive experiences that bring them closer to everyday urban life. The Fancha Meng (Playful Contrast) Market at Nanyuecheng Aegean City Plaza brings together handicrafts, creative cultural products, and interactive activities, creating a playful contrast between tradition and modernity. Meanwhile, the “Gulls’ Haven Old Market” at the Qikong Floating Bridge along the Caohai Greenway draws inspiration from red-billed gulls, blending Yunnan-style cuisine with intangible cultural heritage–themed creative goods, and has become a popular destination during the gull-watching season.

The “Ma Shang You Xi” New Year Garden Fair, whose name expresses wishes for joy and good fortune in the year ahead, attracts young visitors with immersive activities inspired by traditional Chinese aesthetics. Daguan Park’s “One Pavilion, One City, One Seagull” gull-themed market evokes collective urban memories through vintage items and local-flavored food stalls. In Haiyan Village, the“Ou-K Haiyan Love & Coffee Lifestyle Festival”highlights creative coffee made with locally sourced ingredients, creating a relaxed, slow-paced lakeside atmosphere.

Unlocking a Cultural Feast to Enrich the Holiday Experience

During the New Year holiday, cultural events around Dianchi Lake are equally vibrant. The Wa Wooden Drum Festival, held at Yunnan Ethnic Village, showcases traditional rituals and folk customs from the Awa mountain communities. Meanwhile, the Yunnan Nationalities Museum has launched an exhibition highlighting the diversity of ethnic cultures, presenting a vivid picture of multi-ethnic interaction and coexistence through cultural relics, visual materials, and archival documents.

As gulls skim across the lake and winter sunlight bathes the shores of Dianchi Lake, Kunming welcomes the New Year with a calm and unhurried grace. Whether drawing closer to nature, savoring the warmth of everyday life, or immersing oneself in cultural experiences, Dianchi Lake offers residents and visitors a rich array of choices. In the year ahead, why not begin your journey at Dianchi Lake and set out on a poetic and leisurely exploration amid shimmering waters and mountain views?

Click here to view the Chinese report

(Editors: Doe, Rachel)