By the shores of Dianchi Lake, Kunming is filled with the rich aroma of coffee. From August 1 to 9, the 2026 Dianchi International Coffee Culture Carnival was held in Kunming under the theme "Where Yunnan Coffee Gathers, All Things Flourish." Bringing people together through coffee, the carnival attracted large crowds of locals and visitors, while also drawing coffee enthusiasts from Thailand, France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ukraine and beyond.

Thai owner Kuan Lin Lai. Photo by Wen Lirong

Amid the bustling crowds on the eastern shore of Dianchi Lake, one Thai visitor stood out. He wandered from stall to stall, occasionally taking a sip of coffee and chatting with the baristas. Kuan Lin Lai, a Thai national, runs a cold drink and snack shop called "Thai Faith" in Kunming.

Scene from the 2026 Dianchi International Coffee Culture Carnival. Photo by Wen Lirong

Yunnan Coffee Is Unique and Deserves to "Go Global"

"What attracted me most about this event was Yunnan's distinctive coffee beans — their flavor and taste are truly unique," said Lai, who is attending the coffee carnival for the second time this year. He noted that the atmosphere at this year's carnival was particularly good, with vendors proactively explaining the origin and flavor profiles of their beans to customers, and the vast majority of coffee shops offering pleasant environments.

In Lai's view, Yunnan coffee and Thai coffee are fundamentally different. "In Thailand, people drink coffee simply to stay awake and alert. But Yunnan coffee places more emphasis on flavor itself — it offers a rich range of flavors, and the tasting experience is much more enjoyable."

"Taste, elegance and creativity" — these are the three words Lai uses to describe Yunnan coffee. He explained that Yunnan coffee beans offer a diverse range of flavors and impressive taste profiles. Baristas use different brewing methods, such as pour-over and espresso, to bring out the distinctive flavors of locally grown beans to the fullest. They also carefully explain each step of the process, making the entire experience feel both refined and elegant. Coffee shops also incorporate uniquely Yunnan ingredients such as litsea cubeba and houttuynia cordata into their creations, resulting in highly imaginative flavor combinations.

"Other major cities in China and even other countries are drawing inspiration from the creative flavors and unique brewing techniques that have become popular in Kunming," Lai said. "Whether they are imitating or learning from Kunming, it is because its coffee has such distinctive flavors. Many coffee professionals from other parts of China and abroad have been drawn to these unique flavors. I personally love the way local cafés incorporate ingredients, fruits and spices unique to Yunnan into their coffee creations, giving them a distinctive character of their own."

Lai is confident that Yunnan coffee has the potential to find a market in Thailand. Taking Bangkok as an example, he said that in the past, most people went to cafés simply for a cup of coffee. Today, however, more and more people are willing to explore new flavors, brewing methods and taste experiences. "I believe Yunnan coffee deserves to be tasted and enjoyed by people around the world."

Scene from the 2026 Dianchi International Coffee Culture Carnival. Photo by Wen Lirong

Kunming Locals Are Warm and Hospitable, and the City Is "Highly Inclusive"

Lai has been to many places, but in the end, he chose to stay in Kunming. "Because it's the most comfortable city I've ever been to. The weather is pleasant, and the scenery is beautiful." When he first arrived in Kunming, the city's culture and pace of life, which reminded him of Thailand, made him feel right at home.

If that first impression marked the beginning of Lai's connection with Kunming, then the city's inclusiveness has been what enabled him to cross borders and put down roots here. In recent years, more and more Thai restaurants have opened in Kunming. "I can meet many fellow Thais here. More and more Thai people are coming to Kunming, and people from countries around the world are arriving here as well." Lai has made many foreign friends in the city and experienced its openness and warmth firsthand. "People in Kunming are very open and accepting. They embrace different cultures and are welcoming of differences among people from elsewhere."

In Lai's view, cafés in Kunming and Thailand have very different atmospheres and ways of bringing people together.

In many Thai cafés, customers bring their laptops and spend the whole day working. People typically visit cafés simply to have a cup of coffee, chat with friends or conduct business. In Kunming, however, "staff often strike up conversations with customers while preparing their coffee, exchanging a few friendly words. There's a strong sense of warmth and familiarity, and people in Kunming really enjoy interacting with others," Lai said.

"Kunming itself is a city that offers a very comfortable way of life." In Lai's view, people drink coffee here more to try different flavors and experience varied tastes. "The climate is pleasant, the scenery is beautiful, and there's a diverse and unique local culture — It's a place worth visiting and experiencing for people from around the world." At the end of the interview, he smiled and extended an invitation to the world: "Welcome to Kunming."

From Thailand to Kunming, from a daily beverage for staying awake to a journey of flavor exploration, coffee connects different lands and brings different people together. And the spring city of Kunming, with its unique warmth and inclusiveness, is allowing every guest who comes from afar to taste the flavor of "home" in a single cup of coffee.

Click here to view the Chinese report

(Editors: Flynn, Doe)