Residents cycle along the Dianchi Lake Greenway. Photo by Zhao Wei.

As the Dianchi Lake Greenway gradually becomes fully connected, its  uninterrupted lake views, long green corridor, and spectacular sunsets have made the surrounding area a favorite among residents and visitors alike. On social media, topics such as “How to Enjoy the Dianchi Lake Greenway” and “Where Are the Best Places to Watch the Sunset ?” continue to trend. Sunset cycling, with its freedom, convenience, and immersive appeal, has become one of the most popular ways to  experience the Dianchi Lake Greenway.

Cycling Around Dianchi Lake and Enjoying the Scenic Beauty

Starting from Jiangwei Village, this scenic cycling route passes the Water Bridge, Wolong Ancient Fishing Village, the Grass Bridge, Lavender Manor, the Forest Bridge, and Laoyu River Wetland Park before ending at Haiyan Village, a popular sunset-viewing spot. The route is about 10 to 15 kilometers one way, and a leisurely ride with stops typically takes three to four hours. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful sunset cycling routes around Dianchi Lake, it is currently one of the area’s most popular biking routes. With flat roads and almost no elevation gain, the route is especially friendly to beginners and families with children. Along the way, cyclists can enjoy wetlands, flower fields, and distinctive bridges, stop for photos, take a relaxing boat ride, and wait for the afterglow of the setting sun to spread across the lake, creating a highly memorable experience.

“Cycling isn’t just a way to get around; it’s how I’ve come to understand Kunming,” said Jia Song, a new resident of Kunming and a culture and tourism researcher, who cycles around Dianchi Lake almost every week. In his view, the Dianchi Lake Greenway is like a golden thread linking cultural landmarks such as Zhenhai Tower, the Beiqiu archaeological site, the former campus of the National Art School, Shizhaishan, and Hebosuo. Cycling allows him to stop whenever he likes to sketch,  take in the scenery, and linger along the way, gradually connecting with the cultural heritage of  Dianchi Lake.

For many cyclists, the sunset is the best reward of the day. “When I start to feel a little tired from riding, watching the sun slowly sink behind the Western Hills and the lake turn golden red gives me a sense of healing that neither driving nor walking can replace,” said Jia Song. Local cycling enthusiast Guo Jun feels the same way. After the Dianchi Lake Greenway opened, he bought a bicycle and often sets out either with friends or on his own. “Walking a few kilometers makes me tired, and the shuttle buses follow fixed routes, which isn’t flexible enough. Cycling for a morning lets me cover 20 to 30 kilometers, passing through wetlands, fishing villages, and flower fields along the way. It’s a way to truly get close to Dianchi Lake,” he said.

Travel blogger Gong Lisha also prefers cycling. “The Dianchi Lake Greenway features smooth roads, wide paths, and beautiful scenery. It’s perfect for both exercise and leisurely sightseeing—whether for locals looking to unwind or tourists seeking photo spots,” she said.

Sunsets along the Dianchi Lake Greenway are truly magical. From Wangguan and the Dounan Wetlands on the east bank, to Niulian Fishing Village and the Ancient Dian  Grand Pier on the south bank, and on to Wangjiadui Wetland, the openable floating bridge, and Dongfeng Dam on the west bank, each location offers its own blend of grandeur and serenity.

Tourists enjoy the sunset scenery in Haiyan Village. Photo by Huang Xiaosong.

Improving Services to Enhance the Visitor Experience

As the popularity of the Dianchi Lake Greenway continues to rise, its rapid development has also highlighted the need to upgrade supporting facilities and services accordingly. While enjoying the pleasures of cycling, some residents and tourists are also looking forward to a safer, more convenient, and more comfortable travel experience.

In terms of traffic order and safety, as pedestrian and cycling traffic continues to grow, pedestrians and cyclists mix in some sections of the greenway. “Although the path has been divided into designated zones for cycling and walking, limited signage visibility and insufficient guidance mean that many people still follow their habit of keeping to the right. This, to some extent, affects both visitor comfort and safety ,” said Guo Jun. He added that safety barriers and nighttime lighting along certain waterfront sections still have room for improvement, which would help visitors feel more secure. A representative from the Kunming Culture and Tourism Group noted that the greenway has numerous intersections with surrounding villages, and since many of these junctions have not yet been fully closed off, management remains challenging. In the short term, achieving full separation of pedestrians and cyclists remains difficult.

When it comes to cycling services, convenient bike rentals and hassle-free returns remain top priorities for many visitors. During on-site visits, the reporter found that bike rental services along the route generally fall into three categories. The first consists of privately operated rental businesses in nearby villages. These offer affordable rates, no deposit requirements, and no time limits on rentals. However, most provide only standard bicycles, typically without helmets or other protective gear, and do not support returns at different locations. The second category is the shared-bike system available throughout the greenway. Bikes can be rented and returned at major entrances, exits, and designated docking areas, with charges based on usage time. The third category includes professional bike rental providers located at key points along the greenway. Some offer one-way rentals, allowing visitors to pick up a bike at one location and return it at another. They also provide helmets, gloves, and other protective equipment, delivering a more professional cycling experience. However, pricing standards vary among operators. “We hope rental services can be further standardized and improved, so that visitors can rent with confidence and enjoy a safer, more comfortable ride,” said Guo Jun.

In terms of scenic viewing and recreational facilities, Gong Lisha hopes for benches and photo spots that are more in harmony with the character of Dianchi Lake, as well as a “sunset countdown” display to help visitors better capture the beauty of the sunset.

Building the “Sunset over Dianchi Lake” Brand

Dianchi Lake enjoys natural advantages such as expansive views and year-round sunny weather, offering far more opportunities to enjoy sunsets than many other cities. Many respondents believe that, despite these strengths, there is still room to enhance the overall atmosphere. “Qingdao has Zhanqiao Pier, the lighthouse, and its coastal market—it has a unified visual identity. Our sunsets are stunning, but we lack an iconic landmark to ‘frame the sunset,’ as well as events and activities centered on sunset viewing,” Jia Song said candidly. Gong Lisha added, “If we could establish a clear brand identity or IP, young people would naturally come to check in and share their experiences.”

How can the sunsets over Dianchi Lake be given a sense of ceremony unique to Kunming? Suggestions from the public were strikingly consistent: make modest enhancements at popular spots by adding artistic seating, viewing platforms, and sunset countdown signs, and consider introducing small-scale music performances and cultural-creative markets.

A representative from the Kunming Culture and Tourism Group stated that, while strictly maintaining Dianchi Lake’s ecological protection standards, the group plans to systematically enhance the greenway’s landscapes, supporting facilities, and cultural-tourism activities. Next, it will consider introducing scenic seating and distinctive photo spots at popular sunset-viewing locations such as the openable floating bridge and Dongfeng Dam. These facilities will be designed as part of the overall planning of the Dianchi Lake Greenway, balancing functionality, aesthetics, and recognizability. The aim is to meet the leisure needs of both residents and visitors, while enhancing the sunset-viewing experience and supporting the development of the Dianchi Lake sunset as a signature attraction.

At the same time, efforts will be made to enrich cultural-tourism programming and enhance the overall visitor experience under the guiding principle of monthly activities and seasonal themes. Cycling and sunset viewing will be integrated into a the broader event system. Looking ahead, a series of “Sunset Cycling” events will be launched to further diversify recreational experiences and strengthen the appeal of the greenway. Through these initiatives, the sunset over Dianchi Lake is expected to gradually evolve into a shared cultural experience and a distinctive symbol of Kunming. As for specific management measures—including cyclist-pedestrian separation, standardized bicycle rental services, and emergency support systems—relevant departments are working together to advance implementation. Details will be refined in phases and announced to the public in due course.

“The Dianchi Lake Greenway doesn’t need to imitate anyone else,” Jia Song said. “If we get the details right and create a truly memorable experience, drawing on Dianchi Lake’s stunning plateau scenery, rich cultural heritage, and cycling-friendly environment, it has every opportunity to become a nationally renowned destination for sunset cycling. More importantly, it can help more people discover and fall in love with ‘A Life Called Yunnan’ along the shores of Dianchi Lake.” (Kunming Daily,  reported by Chen Siyi)

Click here to view the Chinese report

(Editors: Doe,Diana)