While northern China was clad in snow, the Spring City basked in gentle sunshine.

During the 2026 Year of the Horse Spring Festival, Kunming extended its warmest invitation to friends from afar with its three prominent calling cards: "watching black-headed gulls, admiring flowers, and savoring Yunnan dishes." Visitors were welcomed to celebrate the Chinese New Year by joining black-headed gulls for a spring rendezvous along the shimmering Dianchi Lake, experiencing the romantic "flower-filled" spring at Dounan, Asia's largest fresh-cut flower trading market, and seeking out dining experiences featuring the same Yunnan delicacies enjoyed by the British Prime Minister in the city's many restaurants. From the airport to its scenic spots, from bustling commercial districts to ancient towns, the city, guided by culture, has concretized "Yunnan: A Many-Splendored Life" into a tangible Spring Festival experience that can be seen, explored, and savored, ensuring every visitor finds their unique New Year memories in this "Lakeside Spring City, Scenic Floral Metropolis."

Kunming Old Street commercial district pulsed with crowds. Photo by Wang Junxing.

A Flourishing Lineup of Festivities

Mornings in the Spring City begin with the flutter of black-headed gulls’ wings.

On February 18, the second day of the Lunar New Year, crowds streamed onto the Haigeng Dam. Dianchi Lake shimmered in the sunlight, and the outline of the “Sleeping Beauty” of the Xishan Mountain appeared softer in the morning mist. Yet this year, beyond the usual black-headed gull watchers, the dam pulsed with an inner vitality.

At 2:30 p.m., the familiar and melodious "Dianchi Lake Waltz" began to play on the viewing platform. Several pairs of dancers in elegant costumes stepped into an open space amidst the crowd, their poised posture and fluid movements exemplifying the passion of Latin dance and the grace of ballroom under the bright afternoon sun.

This was the scene of "Dance in Full Bloom: A Thousand People Dancing at Haigeng." Without a high stage or strict barriers, the Dianchi Lake promenade transformed into the grandest dance floor, with the black-headed gulls as its most enthusiastic audience. Professional dancers, acting as lead instructors, smiled and invited visitors to join the dance.

If daytime Dounan belonged to flower trading, then nighttime belonged to a citywide carnival called "Blossoms of Joy."

On the evening of Lunar New Year's Day, a lively parade featuring flower fairies and the God of Wealth took center stage. Flower-adorned sedan chairs moved slowly through the cheering throng, flower fairies trailed fragrant scents, and the God of Wealth held "gold ingots" overflowing with chocolate coins and flower seeds. Children chased with laughter, while young people reached out to gently touch the sedan chairs for good luck.

From Haigeng to Dounan, from ancient towns to Golden Temple, tradition and modernity intertwined, revitalizing intangible cultural heritage through immersive experiences.

"Bridging" Kunming: A City Without Boundaries

Kunming's Spring Festival festivities extended to its airport and cross-lake bridges.

On Lunar New Year's Day, arriving passengers at Kunming Changshui International Airport were greeted by performers dressed as the God of Wealth and flower fairies, who distributed flowers and chocolate coins, transforming their journeys home into heartwarming beginnings.

On the Dongfeng Dam floating bridge spanning Caohai, a string quartet performed by the lakeside, blending music, people, and nature into a single harmonious scene.

Symphonic performances by Green Lake served as a poetic flourish—no walls, no tickets, just melodies resonating across the water.

Culture in Full Bloom, Consumption Aflame

Ahead of the holiday, news that the British Prime Minister had dined on Yunnan cuisine in Beijing propelled local flavors into the national spotlight. Kunming promptly launched a curated list of restaurants offering the "Prime Minister's Signature Dishes," inviting visitors to embark on a culinary journey alongside their black-headed gull watching and flower admiring.

The seas of tulips at Green Lake Park, the sugar paintings and dough sculptures at local markets... culture infused warmth into consumption and vitality into the city.

National Spotlight: Kunming's Spring Festival Draws Major Media Attention

CCTV's "Focus Interview" spotlighted the Dounan flower industry, demonstrating the sector's upgrading as Yunnan's blooms journey from fields to global markets. Live news broadcasts captured the grand spectacle of Guandu Ancient Town welcoming the God of Wealth, while another program, "Ice and Snow Glory," explored an indoor ski resort, showcasing the New Year experience of "sending blessings by treading on snow."

From its flower economy to cultural landmarks, from folk traditions to modern consumption, Kunming offered a multifaceted interpretation of "Yunnan: A Many-Splendored Life."

As one visitor aptly put it: "In Kunming, every day is life, and every New Year is a flower festival."

Click here to view the Chinese report

(Editors: Rachel, Jennifer)