If you are planning a visit to Yunnan, China, and looking for fun things to do in Kunming with kids, you may be wondering whether the city is worth more than just a quick stopover. For many travelers, Kunming is simply a transit hub before heading to more famous destinations like Lijiang, Dali, or Shangri-La. But what if there is more to Kunming than just being a gateway to the rest of Yunnan?
Based on our own experience of spending 4 days in Kunming, I’d like to share honest reviews of everything we did there, many of which seem to be largely unknown to foreign visitors. I won’t spoil everything just yet, but in short, we were all glad that we decided to spend more time in this green and peaceful city.
Without further ado, let’s explore what Kunming has to offer beyond the popular guidebooks!
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Is Kunming worth visiting?
For me, absolutely yes!
First of all, Kunming has a population of around 10 million people, but it never felt too crowded or stressful. What struck me most was how green the city is! Trees line many of the streets, and parks, lakes, and green spaces seem to appear everywhere. Even in the busier parts of the city, there was still a sense of openness that made it comfortable to explore with kids.
Second, Kunming is often called the “Eternal Spring City,” and after visiting, I finally understood why. The weather was mild throughout our stay, making it easy to spend long hours outdoors.
Another thing I appreciated was that Kunming did not feel overly touristy. Since many visitors use it mainly as a transit stop, the city still feels very local. Life moves at a relaxed pace, and we rarely found ourselves surrounded by large tour groups or crowded tourist attractions like in more popular cities such as Beijing or Shanghai.
I also had many small moments here that made the trip memorable. People were patient when I struggled with translation apps, and several locals genuinely tried to help us even when we could not communicate properly.
Honestly, before coming, I wondered whether 4 days in Kunming would be too long. After the trip, I felt the opposite. We could have stayed even longer to experience more fun things to do in Kunming with kids.
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Best time to visit Kunming
One reason Kunming is pleasant to visit is that the weather stays relatively mild throughout the year.
If possible, I would avoid the summer months from June to August because this is the rainy season. You can still travel during that time, but outdoor plans may get interrupted quite often.
One especially beautiful period is the short Jacaranda season from late April to early May. Purple jacaranda flowers bloom across many streets in Kunming, and the whole city feels softer and more colorful during these few weeks.
We visited right during this season without fully realizing how special it was. Some streets were completely lined with purple flowers, and it made even ordinary walks feel memorable. Looking back at our photos now, I think the jacaranda season added a lot to our overall experience in Kunming.
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How we structured our 4 day Kunming itinerary with kids
For this trip, we actually stayed in two different hotels in Kunming.
Our first one Lanshe Hotel was located near Green Lake and the Kunming Railway Station. This location worked really well for exploring the northern part of the city and some of the older, more central attractions.
Although the hotel’s entrance was really hard to find, the room we had was super comfy with a large glass window overlooking a lush green street. (Tip: We booked an airport transfer service from Trip.com so we got dropped off at the hotel entrance with no issue.)
After 3 nights at the first hotel, we headed to Lijiang for 4 days. Upon returning to Kunming, we moved to our second hotel called Vienna Hotel, which is located further south near Dianchi Lake and right across the street from the Dounan Flower Market. This gave us easier access to attractions around the lake area without needing long day trips back and forth.
Our hotel room was also very bright and spacious (you can see from the photo below), so we were very satisfied with our stay.
Even though both hotels were still within Kunming, the distance between the two areas was quite significant. It took us almost one hour to travel from the first hotel to the second one. Looking back, I think splitting the stay was the right decision, especially when traveling with kids because it reduced daily travel time and made the itinerary feel less rushed.
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Day 1: Purple Flowers and A Hidden Alley | Fun Things to do in Kunming with Kids
Jiaochang Middle Road and the Purple Jacarandas
Our first morning in Kunming started with a visit to Jiaochang Middle Road, one of the most famous places in the city to see the purple jacaranda blooms.
We happened to visit Kunming during the short jacaranda season, and I have to admit the street was sooo beautiful! Purple flowers lined both sides of the road, creating a long corridor of color that seemed to stretch endlessly into the distance. The only downside was the crowd. We were definitely not the only ones who wanted photos under the flowers, and there were people everywhere doing the same thing.
On a side note, my toddler was excited about the purple ice cream which matched the scenery perfectly, although I didn’t think it tasted particularly good 😀
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Ma Yuan Migui Park (麻园米轨公园)
After that, we took a short Didi ride to Ma Yuan Migui Park. It’s hidden inside a small alley, and from the outside you would never guess how big it would be. Visiting this park was surprisingly one of our favorite fun things to do in Kunming as well.
The park was built around an old railway track, with rows of yellow houses lining both sides. Today, many of these houses have been transformed into coffee shops, restaurants, and small souvenir shops. Overall, the whole area felt creative and relaxed without trying too hard. My toddler also had a fun time running along the railway track and picking stones on the ground.
Around noon there were not many people, which made the place even more enjoyable. We stopped for lunch at one of the restaurants and ordered a bowl of noodles with a very clear broth. After that, we spent some time wandering around and taking photos before heading back to the hotel for a quick recovery noon nap.
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Nanqiang Pedestrian Street at Night
In the late afternoon, we walked around 700 metres from our hotel to Nanqiang Pedestrian Street. This was one of the liveliest places we visited in Kunming. The area comes alive after dark, with food stalls, restaurants, shops, and street musicians scattered throughout the neighborhood. We browsed countless small shops selling everything from handmade soap to silver jewellery, stopped occasionally for snacks, and enjoyed watching the crowds pass by.
By the way, one local snack you’ll see almost everywhere in Kunming is rose pastry. The filling is made with rose petals, giving it a distinctly floral flavour that many people seem to love. Personally, I wasn’t a huge fan of it, but if you visit Kunming and Yunnan in general, you should give it a try at least once 🙂
For dinner, we tried our luck at a tiny restaurant called Spring City Dining Hall Food Store hidden in a narrow alley. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be one of our favorite meals in Kunming. We ordered two of their specialty dishes: braised pork and fried frog. Both were delicious and quite different from what we would normally eat at home. Sometimes the smallest restaurants end up being the most memorable!
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Day 2: Parks, Tea and a Creative Space That Didn’t Quite Work for Us | Fun Things to do in Kunming with Kids
A Morning Walk Around Green Lake Park (Cuihu)
On our second day, we took a 30-minute metro ride to Green Lake Park, or Cuihu Park (翠湖). The park is free to enter and much larger than I expected. It is made up of several lakes connected by walking paths, bridges, and green spaces. Rather than rushing from one attraction to another, we spent the morning simply strolling around and watching elders practice tai chi, young people film Tiktok dances, and plenty of locals walk their dogs peacefully. For us, it was a refreshing way to start the day.
For lunch, we grabbed a quick snack and stopped at a tea shop near the West Gate of the park. The shop had a lovely view overlooking the lake, making it a nice place to slow down for a while. We ordered Pu’er tea, which was excellent, and my toddler was super interested in their dessert set.
Afterwards, we wandered over to Huanggong East Street (黄公东街), which is only a short walk away. The area is filled with trendy coffee shops and small cafes that seem especially popular with younger locals.
So what do I think about Green Lake Park? Well, if this is your first time in China, I think this place is worth visiting to immerse in the local life. However, if you’ve already visited other large parks elsewhere in China, I don’t think this is a must-see attraction, especially if you are looking for fun things to do in Kunming with kids. It’s a pleasant and relaxing place to spend a morning, but I wouldn’t rearrange an itinerary just to fit it in.
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Mijing M60 Originality Park (秘境M60创意园)
In the evening, we visited Mijing M60 Originality Park (秘境M60创意园), a creative space filled with cafes, bars, art spaces, and independent shops.
At least, that was the idea… The area itself is quite large and spread across a hillside, so you should expect a fair amount of walking. Architecturally, I really liked it. There were interesting buildings, creative corners, and plenty of spots that looked great in photos.
Unfortunately, the atmosphere felt surprisingly quiet. We visited on a Friday evening and expected the place to be lively, but many parts of the complex felt almost deserted. Several storefronts appeared to be closed, and there were far fewer visitors than I anticipated. It honestly felt like a place with a lot of potential that had not quite reached it yet 🙁
However, our dinner was a memorable experience there. We chose a small restaurant called Grotto Bistro inside the complex and ended up having one of the tastiest meals of the day. To our surprise, the owner also brought us a complimentary bowl of noodles. To this day, I’m still not entirely sure whether it was part of a promotion or simply a gesture of hospitality. Either way, it left a very positive impression on us. If you decide to visit M60, I would highly recommend eating at their restaurant and supporting their business.
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Day 3: Wetlands, Seagulls and Family Shopping | Fun Things to do in Kunming with Kids
Wangguan Wetland Park
One thing we quickly discovered in Kunming is that the city has a surprising number of wetland parks and I think these parks are some of Kunming’s hidden gems.
We chose Wangguan Wetland Park because it was only about a 10-minute drive from our hotel. At first, I thought we would spend an hour or so there before moving on. Instead, my daughter was completely absorbed by everything around her. She spent her time digging in the sand, searching for tiny fish in the shallow water, and stopping every few minutes to inspect flowers and plants. If you are visiting with young children, consider bringing a small bucket or net. There are plenty of opportunities for little ones to look for fish and explore around the water.
The park itself is spacious and peaceful, with lakeside walkways, wetlands, flower gardens, and plenty of open space to explore. One of the highlights was the lavender field, which made a lovely backdrop for photos.
What I liked most was that the park felt genuinely local. During our visit, almost all the visitors seemed to be local families rather than tourists. Visiting this park was definitely one of our most favorite fun things to do in Kunming with kids.
Tips: It’s a good idea to bring your own snacks and drinks, as food options inside the park are fairly limited. Wear comfortable shoes, and be careful around the lakeside paths after rain as some areas can become slippery. Most importantly, let the kids take the lead. This is one of those places where the fun comes from exploring rather than following a strict sightseeing plan.
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Feeding Seagulls at Dianchi Haigeng Park
After leaving Wangguan Wetland Park, we took a Didi to Dianchi Haigeng Park by Dian Lake. One of the main reasons people come here is to see the large number of seagulls that gather around the lake, and they certainly did not disappoint.
The area was much busier than Wangguan Wetland Park. In fact, we found it a little difficult to take photos because so many visitors had hired professional photographers. Some photo shoots seemed to occupy entire sections of the lakeside.
Fortunately, my daughter was far more interested in the seagulls than the crowds. We bought some bird food from an elderly lady nearby and started tossing it into the air. Within seconds, dozens of seagulls swooped down to catch it. Watching my daughter laugh every time a bird grabbed a piece mid-air was easily the highlight of the visit.
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Lunch and a Midday Break
Afterwards, we returned to our hotel for lunch. One thing we liked about our hotel was that the restaurant serving breakfast also offered a wide selection of lunch dishes, making things very convenient when travelling with a toddler.
After lunch, it was time for our usual afternoon rest before heading out again for fun things to do in Kunming.
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Junfa New Luosiwan International Commercial and Trade City
In the late afternoon, we visited Junfa New Luosiwan International Commercial and Trade City, about 15 minutes from our hotel by taxi.
The first thing that came to mind when I arrived was: this place is HUGE. The complex is filled with shops selling clothing, homewares, accessories, toys, and countless other products, often at wholesale prices. Even if you are not planning to buy anything, simply walking around the area takes a surprising amount of time.
One mistake we made was arriving too late. Many of the indoor shopping areas close at 6 PM, something we did not realize beforehand. If I were to do this again, I would definitely come earlier in the day to have more time to explore.
Fortunately, the area does not completely shut down after the indoor sections close. There were still many outdoor stalls selling clothes and other items, and the surrounding streets remained lively. Also, there were plenty of restaurants, cafes, and places where families could spend time together. We chose one of those restaurants for dinner and ended up having another very enjoyable meal.
Even better, there was a playground nearby where the kids could burn off some energy while we adults relaxed after a long day.
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Day 4: Flowers, Souvenirs and a Taste of Old Kunming | Fun Things to do in Kunming with Kids
Dounan Flower Market
One of the biggest advantages of our second hotel was its location. Just across the street was Dounan Flower Market, the largest flower market in China. Visiting this market was definitely one of our memorable fun things to do in Kunming with kids.
I had read about it before arriving, but I still wasn’t prepared for the sheer scale of the place. The market is filled with flowers, plants, gardening supplies, and flower-themed souvenirs. Everywhere you look, there are fresh flowers in every colour imaginable. I especially enjoyed admiring the orchids, which came in so many different varieties that I quickly lost count. Even if you’re not a gardening enthusiast, I think it’s difficult not to be impressed by the size and variety of the market.
Besides fresh flowers and plants, there are plenty of floral-themed products that make easy souvenirs. Some of my favourites included lavender sachets, flower tea, rose soaps, scented candles, and various handmade gifts inspired by Yunnan’s flower industry.
Outside the main market area, we also found an outdoor market selling fruits, snacks, local specialties, and souvenirs. It was fun to wander around without any particular agenda and see what caught our attention.
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Guandu Ancient Town
In the afternoon, we headed to Guandu Ancient Town. To be completely honest, if you have already visited the ancient towns of Lijiang or Dali, Guandu will probably not impress you as much. The architecture and atmosphere simply aren’t on the same level.
That said, I still think it is worth visiting if you are staying in Kunming and want to experience a bit of Yunnan’s traditional architecture without leaving the city. Guandu Ancient Town is filled with souvenir shops, restaurants, tea houses, and coffee shops. We didn’t come here expecting major attractions, so perhaps that’s why we enjoyed it. Instead of rushing around sightseeing, we simply wandered through the lanes, browsed a few shops, stopped for snacks, and enjoyed the slower pace.
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Exploring the Night Market
One of the highlights was actually located just outside the ancient town. Across from the main entrance, we discovered a lively night market packed with street food vendors, fashion stalls, and local shoppers. The atmosphere felt much more energetic than inside the ancient town itself, and we ended up spending the entire evening there.
As usual, we had no real plan. We sampled snacks, browsed the stalls, watched people go about their evening, and simply enjoyed being part of the crowd.
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Places We Didn’t Have Time to Visit (But Would Next Time)
Although we spent 4 days in Kunming, there were still a few places on our list of fun things to do in Kunming that we simply didn’t have enough time to visit. If we ever return to the city, these would be among our top priorities for fun things to do in Kunming.
Yunnan Museum
Located near Guandu Ancient Town, Yunnan Museum seems like an easy addition to a day exploring that part of the city.
If I were planning the day again, I would probably spend the morning at the museum learning more about Yunnan’s history and ethnic cultures, then head to Guandu Ancient Town for a leisurely lunch or coffee. After that, I would finish the day wandering around the night market nearby. All of these make for great fun things to do in Kunming with kids!
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Kunming West Hill (Xishan Forest Park)
Another place that almost made it into our itinerary for fun things to do in Kunming with kids was Kunming West Hill, also known as Xishan Forest Park.
Located near Dianchi Haigeng Park, it is one of the most famous viewpoints in Kunming. From what I’ve seen, the hill offers panoramic views over Dianchi Lake and the city beyond.
Since we already visited the lake area, combining Haigeng Park and Xishan Forest Park into the same day would probably make a lot of sense.
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Yunnan Nationalities Village
If you are travelling with children, Yunnan Nationalities Village is another attraction worth considering.
Yunnan is one of the most ethnically diverse provinces in China, and this cultural park showcases the traditions, architecture, performances, and lifestyles of many of the province’s ethnic groups. From what I’ve read, there are plenty of interactive activities and performances throughout the day, which I think children would particularly enjoy. My daughter would probably have loved it.
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Final Thoughts | Fun Things to Do in Kunming with Kids
After spending 5 days in the city, I can confidently say that there are far more things to do in Kunming than most travelers realize. From flower markets and wetland parks to lakeside walks and local night markets, Kunming turned out to be one of the most relaxing and family-friendly cities we visited in Yunnan.
After exploring all these fun things to do in Kunming, our Yunnan adventure continued with a 4-day trip to Lijiang. If you’re planning a similar itinerary, you may also enjoy reading my post on The Best Lijiang 3 Day Itinerary for Families with Kids, where I share our experience exploring ancient towns, mountains, and family-friendly attractions in Lijiang.
And if this will be your first trip to China, don’t miss my guide on 14+ Essential Tips for Visiting China in 2026. I learned many of these lessons the hard way, and hopefully they will help make your trip a little smoother than mine!
Have you visited Kunming before, or are you planning a trip there soon? I’d love to hear about your experience or answer any questions in the comments below.
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