Summer comes in two forms: the scorching, sweat-soaked heat you find elsewhere, and Kunming—where a passing rain leaves the city in a cool embrace, melting away the restlessness and waking you from the summer haze.

Just in time for the May Day holiday, the second season of  the "A Letter from Kunming" international communication series event is officially launching, inviting you to a refreshing rendezvous where sun and rain intertwine and to experience the most authentic Kunming summer. In the city, purple jacaranda trees are in full, brilliant bloom. When the rain gives way to sunshine, droplets still cling to the petals, catching the warm light—so the whole city emerges from the shower fresh and radiant. And take it further, step out of the city and head to the nearby countryside. Explore the four brand-new countryside travel routes, and amidst the gentle breeze and lush greenery, unlock the kind of laid-back summer life that only the "Spring City" can offer.

West Shore of Dianchi·Rural Retreat: Living Life in Slow Motion

Route along the West Shore of Dianchi: Yanglingang—Baicao Village—Guanyinshan—Baiyukou

Just 30 kilometers west of Kunming lies the west shore of Dianchi Lake. Far from the city's hustle and bustle, this area hides a different side of the Spring City—a tranquil landscape of rural charm and natural beauty. At 6:00 in the morning, head to Yanglingang to catch the sunrise—especially after a rain shower. As the mist rises from Dianchi Lake, the morning fog wraps the reed plumes like marshmallows, and the sunrise unfolds like a watercolor painting still wet on the page. Then make your way to Baicao Village, a natural "herbal garden" where every step treads on healing plants. Follow an experienced herbalist as you pick fresh mint, identify mugwort, and savor authentic medicinal dishes such as chicken stewed with Tianma (Gastrodia elata) and chicken steamed in a clay pot with pseudo-ginseng. As dusk falls, arrive at Baiyukou. Soak in a hot spring, breathe in the "natural oxygen bar," and admire Leilou as it quietly whispers stories of the past. Along this route, healing is woven into every scene. It's a journey that not only relaxes the body but also sets the mind free.

Hot Springs&Farmlands·A Return to the Heart: Living a Pastoral Poem in a Thousand-year-old Hot Spring

Anning Hot Spring Route: Beita Gengyunli—Hot Spring Cliff Inscriptions&Fengshan Forest Hot Spring—Caoxi Temple—Longshan Mountain—Golden Tanglangchuan River—Qinglong Gorge Scenic Area

Step into Anning, and you step into a hidden wellness retreat where hot springs meet pastoral serenity. From the hot spring resort to Qinglong Gorge, this route blends a thousand years of cultural heritage with the poetic charm of countryside life. At Beita Gengyunli, you can camp, learn, and soak in the relaxing warmth of the springs. Stroll through the Hot Spring Cliff Inscriptions and reach out to touch 171 poems and writings carved into stone from the Ming, Qing, and Republican eras. Explore Caoxi Temple, a thousand-year-old Buddhist sanctuary, and gaze upon the Southern Song dynasty's Baohua Pavilion and the one-of-a-kind "Heavenly Moon in a Treasured Vault." Climb to the top of Longshan Mountain, an ecological oxygen bar, and take in sweeping views of the valley below. As you make your way to the Golden Tanglangchuan River, the rapeseed fields wash your eyes in amber. Wander through the forests of Qinglong Gorge, where every turn brings the rush of streams and a burst of greenery—the wild, earthy spirit of the mountains is everywhere. And finally, ease your tiredness in the hot spring known as "The No.1 Hot Spring Under Heaven." The water wraps itself around you, and every bit of tension slowly dissolves into nothing—light as bubbles, drifting away with the gentle current.

Lake Breezes & Hot Spring Healing: A "Healing Trilogy" Along the Lakeside Greenway

Yangzonghai Route: Shijiazui—Lakeside Greenway—Tangchi Hot Spring Town

At the Yangzonghai Scenic Area, you'll find the palm-fringed coastal breeze of Shijiazui, the free-spirited stroll along the lakeside greenway, and the gentle embrace of the hot springs in Tangchi Town. This is where you can experience a leisurely countryside escape—the wind whispers, the lake glimmers, the fragrance of flowers fills the air, and the views never end. The palm-lined avenue at Shijiazui stretches along the shore of Yangzonghai. Its unique "lake-tongue" shoreline offers unrivaled natural beauty. Ride a bike or take a leisurely walk along the lakeside greenway, and lose yourself in the emerald waters, blue skies, sunshine, and sandy shores. When you reach Tangchi Hot Spring Town, sink into the warm, healing waters. Beside you, an old Kunming-style tea mug holds locally roasted tea. Take a sip—it feels like a warm sun has dropped into your throat. On drizzly days in particular, the contrast between the cool air and the hot tea makes even your skin learn how to breathe. The lake here is so clear and pure that no paintbrush is needed. Just sit by the water, watch the clouds drift across the lake surface, and let your worries slowly fade away with the tea foam.

Jiuxiang Hidden Gems·Rural Escape: Leave Your Heartbeat in a Cave Adventure

Jiuxiang Route: Mosuotian—Jiuxiang Caves—Maidichong—Guolude Raspberry and Strawberry Picking Farm

About ninety minutes from Kunming, Yiliang Jiuxiang area offers a countryside getaway built for adventure lovers. Descend into the ancient Jiuxiang Caves, carved over a hundred million years. Wander through chambers filled with fantastical stalactites, natural gorges, and an underground river—nature's own hidden cathedral. Above ground, Mosuotian campground invites you to push your limits with cave via ferrata, a zip line into the depths, and cliff climbing. When adventure wears you out, retreat to a safari tent, dine in a meadow dotted with flowers, and dance the night away at a Yi ethnic bonfire party. Wander the farmlands of Maidichong, then head to the Picking Farm to pick raspberries and strawberries straight from the bush, and sample fresh fruit and local delicacies. It's the kind of place where fresh air, fresh fruit, and a little bit of courage leave you feeling completely alive.

This is the summer lifestyle that only Kunming can offer: start your morning wandering through a shower of city flowers, then slip into the countryside by afternoon. Gaze blankly at the shimmering waves of Dianchi Lake, empty your mind in the mist of a hot spring, seek cool tranquility deep within a cave, and laugh freely in the warmth of a bonfire.

From the romantic streets lined with blooming jacaranda trees to the laidback countryside just outside the city, "A Letter from Kunming" is both a gentle invitation and a fresh, cool new vision of summer.

We cordially invite visitors from home and abroad to come to Kunming. Capture the scenery along the way through your lens and words, and record this journey of healing. Share your moments on Weibo, Douyin, and other platforms with the hashtag #春城有请, or use the hashtag #ALetterfromKunming on overseas social media, and join us in experiencing the poetic summer and laid‑back rural charm of the Spring City. (Compiled by Kunming Information Hub. Some materials and images are sourced from: Kunming Daily, the WeChat official account of Kunming Municipal Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the WeChat official account "Yiliangzhichuang".)

Click here to view the Chinese report

(Editors: Evan, Jennifer)