There is always a city that captivates the world at first sight. In February 2026, the "A Letter from Kunming" international communication series event was officially launched, building a bridge between Kunming and the world. Known as the “Spring City,” Kunming is rooted in its temperate climate, structured by industry, and enriched by culture. It seamlessly blends nature’s bounty with urban warmth, drawing global attention and turning distant admiration into personal journeys. In doing so, it tells a story of shared connection and mutual embrace between a city and the world.

This invitation from the Spring City, reaching across mountains and seas, is bringing the world ever closer to Kunming. Kunming partnered with six major overseas media outlets — including Lao News Agency's Pathet Lao, Myanmar Golden Phoenix Media, and Silk Road Times — along with 21 international communication centers across China, from Liaoning to Jinan and Jiangsu. Together, they launched the hashtag campaign #ALetterfromKunming on global platforms such as Facebook, X, and YouTube, generating more than 500 interactive posts. The message was heard, and the invitation answered. Nearly one hundred participants from 36 countries across five continents accepted the call, traveling to Kunming to experience the city firsthand. Gradually, a global “friends circle” for Kunming’s international communication has taken shape — and every visitor has become a witness to the charm of the Spring City. 

A Cup of Coffee, Unlocking the Soul of Spring City’s Vibrant Life

In Kunming, coffee shops of all sizes dot the streets—nestled in the old alleys of Xunjin Street and tucked away on the artistic corners of Wenlin Street. Push open the door, and you'll taste the most authentic flavor of Kunming. This rich aroma, rooted locally, has long been woven into the city's rhythm of daily life.

The Alliance For Coffee Excellence praised Yunnan coffee beans, describing them as the “Gems of Yunnan.”

As the key trading and tasting hub for Yunnan coffee, Kunming turns the bounty of the province’s red-soil highlands into delightful discoveries found along its streets. Benefiting from Yunnan’s high-altitude terrain, pronounced day–night temperature differences, and fertile soil, premium Arabica’s Small-bean Coffee converge here. In the hands of Kunming’s skilled baristas, they are crafted into distinctive and refined flavors. The Alliance for Coffee Excellence once described Yunnan coffee beans as the “Gems of Yunnan.” In Kunming’s cafés, that treasure is brought vividly to life.

Serbian student Jelena is among the international visitors who answered Kunming’s invitation to “A Letter from Kunming.” After arriving in this city where coffee has become part of its everyday rhythm, she followed the lingering aroma through winding streets into a corner café. Enchanted by the distinctive fragrance of freshly roasted coffee beans, she exclaimed: “I never expected Kunming to offer such an incredible variety of coffees. The gentle fruit acidity of Baoshan Typica, the nutty richness of Pu’er Catimor, the delicate floral notes of Lincang Geisha—each variety finds its finest expression here. I’ve truly fallen in love with this city.”

Serbian student Jelena savors the aroma of coffee beans at a Kunming café. Click to watch the video “A Letter from Kunming | Savor Yunnan Coffee in Kunming with Jelena.”

Today, a growing number of international businesspeople and coffee lovers are making dedicated trips to Kunming, lingering over their cups at street-side cafés. What they praise is not only the flavor of the coffee, but also the city’s distinctive character — a seamless blend of natural gifts and a refined lifestyle aesthetic. Drawn to Kunming by the “A Letter from Kunming” campaign, Belarusian student Gao Yinli (Aliaksandra Sashuryna) visited a café in Zhengyi Fang. After her first sip, she smiled and said, “The coffee here is truly amazing. Yunnan coffee may well be the best in China. I’m already reluctant to leave Kunming.” In Kunming, a single cup of coffee becomes more than a drink — it is the first step in discovering the city, and often the beginning of a lasting affection for the Spring City.

Belarusian student Gao Yinli speaks highly of Yunnan coffee. Click to watch the video “A Letter from Kunming | A Cultural Stroll Through Old Kunming with Foreign Friends.”

A City of Gentle Charm, Winning Hearts Across the Globe

If coffee is the key to unlocking Kunming’s vibrant spirit, then its year-round spring-like climate is its most distinctive hallmark. Known as the “Spring City,” Kunming owes its famously pleasant weather to its unique location on a low-latitude plateau. Free from harsh winters and extreme summer heat, the city enjoys an average annual temperature of around 15°C. Flowers bloom throughout the year, and greenery remains lush in every season. As noted by National Geographic, Kunming’s mild climate has earned it the nickname “Spring City.” While many parts of the world endure freezing winters or sweltering summers, Kunming offers gentle breezes and warm sunshine all year round.

National Geographic highlights Kunming’s mild climate, earning it the nickname “Spring City.”

This recognition has further elevated Kunming — the capital of Yunnan Province — onto the global stage. A report by PR Newswire noted that a growing number of international visitors are choosing to make extended stays in Yunnan. The article quoted a French traveler who said he was drawn to Kunming for its “fresh and pleasant climate and azure skies.” He added that the city’s year-round suitability for outdoor activities, along with its surrounding mountains, lakes, and diverse landscapes, makes it an ideal destination for both adventure and relaxation in every season. Strolling through Kunming’s streets and lanes, visitors need neither heavy winter coats nor relief from oppressive summer heat. The city’s clear blue skies, crisp air, and mild temperatures create a sense of ease that leaves a lasting impression on travelers from around the world.

PR Newswire reports that a French sojourner was won over by Kunming’s pleasant climate.

“Bathed in sunshine and spring-like all year round” is the identity Kunming wears with pride. This unique livability has made it a dream destination for countless souls, leaving foreign visitors who answered the call of “A Letter from Kunming” deeply captivated.

Dutch traveler Martijn praises Kunming’s mild climate. Click to watch the video “A Letter from Kunming | Foreigners Fall For Kunming's Nature After Firsthand Visit.”

Mozambican student Marina praises Kunming’s spring-like climate year-round. Click to watch the video “A Letter from Kunming | Foreigners Fall For Kunming's Nature After Firsthand Visit.”

Dutch traveler Martijn couldn't help but exclaim about Kunming's climate, “The weather here is so comfortable—pleasantly warm, completely different from the cold and dampness back home recently.” Mozambican student Marina shared her impressions: “I’d heard that Kunming is like spring all year round, with such incredibly blue skies and the perfect temperature—not too cold, not too hot. It’s just so lovely.”

Russian influencers Victoria & Sasha praise the flowers at Kunming’s Dounan Flower Market. Click to watch the video “A Letter from Kunming | Enjoy Kunming Flower Shopping at Dounan Flower Market!”

This unique climate and natural endowment not only make Kunming a livable paradise but also amplify its reputation as the “World Flower Capital.” The Dounan Flower Market, Asia’s largest fresh-cut flower trading hub, is located here. Russian influencers Victoria and Sasha, invited by the “A Letter from Kunming” Invitation, encountered the blossoming charm of Kunming at Dounan and left with unforgettable memories. They remarked, “Seeing so many beautiful flowers in Kunming makes us so happy. We highly recommend everyone to come to Dounan and experience this romance.” Dounan’s flowers are sold to over 50 countries and regions worldwide, using the city’s floral beauty as a medium to etch Kunming’s gentleness and romance into the hearts of the world, leaving these invited guests reluctant to leave.

A Single Invitation, Co-creating a New Chapter for Spring City

From the rich aroma of street-side coffee to its year-round spring-like scenery, Kunming’s charm has long transcended its natural landscapes and industries, finding expression in the city’s open and inclusive spirit. The “A Letter from Kunming” international communication series event has become an important platform for deeper engagement between Kunming and the world.

This year-round international invitation turns every participant into a co-creator of Kunming’s story. In spring, young people from across the globe come to Kunming to celebrate the Chinese New Year, experiencing cultural exchange amid the city’s lively atmosphere. In summer, they follow the aromas of coffee and the seasonal bounty of wild mushrooms, exploring Kunming’s ecological richness and industrial dynamism.

In autumn, they take on the role of “eco-observers,” witnessing firsthand the green transformation and restoration of Dianchi Lake. In winter, friends from around the world gather in the Spring City to renew friendships and share visions for the future.

The New York Times includes Yunnan Province, home to Kunming, on its list of “52 Places to Go in 2026.”

The charm of Kunming has earned high praise from numerous international media outlets and friends. Early this year, The New York Times included Yunnan on its list of “52 Places to Go in 2026,” describing it as “a Chinese destination where nature and culture go hand in hand.” Mainstream media from multiple countries, including Taiguowang from Thailand and Pathet Lao from Laos, have also actively responded to the invitation from the Spring City, joining hands to extend Kunming’s greetings to the world.

Foreign guests such as Deckers Lucas, the Belgian representative on Informal Talks, and British cultural tourism promoter Steve have become passionate advocates for Kunming, sharing their memorable encounters with the city with audiences around the world. Strolling through Kunming’s streets and alleys, Deckers immersed himself in the city’s rich ethnic culture. From its cuisine to its traditions, every experience inspired him to recommend Kunming to a wider global audience. Steve, meanwhile, found himself captivated by the warmth of the Spring City. His heartfelt words—“I’ll be waiting for you in Kunming”—perfectly conveyed his affection for the city.

Deckers Lucas, Belgian representative on Informal Talks, highly recommends Kunming to the world. Click to watch the video “A Letter from Kunming |Discover Kunming’s Diverse Ethnic Cultures with Dai Luke.”

Steve, British Cultural Tourism Promotion Officer, passionately endorses Kunming. Click to watch the video “A Letter from Kunming | Experience Kunming Slow Life with Steve.”

From the aroma of coffee drifting through Xunjin Street and Wenlin Street, to the vibrant sea of blooms at Dounan Flower Market, to the everyday rhythms cherished by international residents—an invitation has crossed mountains and seas, and in return, won the heartfelt affection of friends from around the globe. Now, Kunming opens its heart to the world. In 2026, “A Letter from Kunming”, inviting global friends to explore its landscapes, savor its local life, and together, write a new chapter of shared prosperity between Kunming and the world.

Click here to view the Chinese report