Kunming Walk
The Most Foreign City in China
A guided walk through Green Lake Park and the old university quarter
From $22
The Most Foreign City in China
Kunming is one of China's most underrated cities. It is not loud and doesn't announce its importance to the world as the likes of Beijing and Shanghai. It has a layered, often surprising history.
We begin at Green Lake — the "Eye of Kunming", where Siberian seagulls have come since 1985, the place that authors wrote about and the national composer felt homesick for. Walk past Foreigners' Street where the local favourite bookshop was deliberately hidden, across the university district that produced China's first two Nobel laureates, and into the lane that was once an emergency exit during Japanese air raids, now an open-air art gallery.
Kunming built a railway to Vietnam before it built one to Beijing. There was a road to Burma before there was a proper way to China's heartland. Yunnan is home to 25 of China's 55 ethnic minorities. The most foreign city in China isn't Shanghai — it's 2,000 kilometres away. It's a city that tore down its centuries-old city walls because it found what came in was more interesting than what had been kept out.
Walk the real "old town", where the most exciting and important stories took place. Started as a passion project, we share the sides of Kunming most visitors never find.
Hello, I'm Dioni.
I'm a foreigner who came to study Chinese for seven months, and ended up still being here two and a half years later. My grandfather left China a hundred years ago from Guangdong province. Countries, continents, and generations later, life trajectory brought me to Kunming.
Caught between two worlds, I found myself becoming a bridge between cultures and languages. I run an English Club at a hostel named after a WWII Sino-American flight route. I build communities and continue to find ways to get foreigners and locals together. This walking tour comes from the same kind of passion.
Along the way, I found my people here. Some are locals who have never left. Others are outsiders, like me, who slowly became insiders. In Kunming, there's a term: 家乡宝 (jiāxiāngbǎo)—'hometown baby.' It describes people who never leave. Because, why would you? Somehow, that became us too. Let us show you why.
(~¥150 RMB)
per person
Small groups — max 8 walkers
Meeting Point
South Gate of Green Lake Park (Cuihu Park)
Meet at the South Gate entrance on Cuihu South Road.
By public transport
Kunming Metro Line 5 (green line). Get off at Huashan West Road Station. Use Exit B, then it's a short 500m walk to the South Gate.
By taxi
翠湖公园南门（翠湖南路）
What Walkers Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Why take a walking tour in Kunming?
Unlike Beijing or Shanghai, Kunming isn't a city of obvious landmarks. Without the insiders' context, it's easy to miss what makes it memorable. In this walk we will show you the hidden layers and stories of Kunming, as well as the spots in town that we genuinely love.
Why doesn't your walking tour focus on Kunming's old town?
Kunming's old town isn't preserved in the way visitors might expect. Unlike places like Lijiang, much of the original city was redeveloped over time. We believe the area around Green Lake Park and the university district is where many of the city's most compelling stories took place and we will show you why.
How physically demanding is the walk?
The route is mostly flat and paved with a few sets of stairs. We walk at a relaxed pace and it's accessible for most fitness levels. If you have restricted mobility, please contact us to discuss.
Are your tours family friendly?
Yes, humans of all ages are welcome. That said, our walking tour is story heavy, so we recommend it for older children and teenagers.
What payment methods are accepted?
We require full pre-payment to reserve your spot, as group size is limited. Credit cards from any country are accepted when booking online. For WeChat or Alipay payments, please contact us directly to arrange.
Will we go inside the universities?
No — we stay in the areas around them. University campuses in Kunming require advance booking to enter. The tour focuses on sites that are freely accessible. If you would like to arrange a visit that includes campus access, contact us about a private tour.
Will I get to try local food?
The walking tour doesn't include meals, but we will point out the best spots for cross-bridge noodles, Yunnan coffee, and street snacks along the way. The end point of the tour is a popular area for lunch and dinner.
Cancellation Policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour. Cancellations within 24 hours are non-refundable. If the tour is cancelled by us due to weather or other circumstances, you will receive a full refund.
