If you go

Flights

Kunming Wujiaba International Airport has regular flights to and from South-East Asia, as well as plenty of domestic connections through China. A one-way air trip from Beijing to Kunming takes 3.5 hours and costs about 1,500 yuan (170 euros). A flight from Shanghai takes three hours and costs about 1,400 yuan (159 euros).

Climate

Controlled by a subtropical highland climate, Kunming has spring-like weather year round, with an annual average temperature of 15 C, peaking at 20 C in summer and falling to 7.5 C in winter. Winter is short, cool and dry, with mild days and crisp nights. Summer is long, warm and humid. The rainy season lasts from May to October, often bringing daily showers.

Specialty markets

Nan Yao Market (the largest open market dealing primarily with local specialties and handicrafts)

Yunnan Curio Building (stores with handicrafts of various ethnic groups)

Flowers and Birds Market (offering pets, curios, artwork and handcraft)

Souvenirs

Ivory carving Dai Zhu Bian (bamboo basketry of Dai ethic group)

Dried mushrooms

Tropical batik

Local food

Qiguo Ji (steaming-pot chicken)

Braised Jizong (mushroom) in soy sauce

Kunming Lu Ya (Kunming bittern duck)

Yunnan Guoqiao Mixian (over-the-bridge rice noodles)

Xuanwei ham

Shao Mai (steamed pork dumplings)

Chou Tofu (fermented smelly bean curd)

Bean Jelly

Dian Eight Articles (eight cakes with eight different flavors)