Kunming

About 1,000,000 people call Kunming in Yunnan home.

From here it's roughly 200 miles (322 kilometers) to the north to Hangzhou and 300 miles (483 kilometers) to the west to Nanjing.

If you want to surround yourself with nature, head to Stone Forest and Western Hills Reserve, two scenic places where locals and visitors love to spend time to find some tranquility. These protected parks are delightful places for families to get out and enjoy the local flora and fauna.

Daguan Park and Cuihu Park are great, green choices when you need to unwind and enjoy and enjoy some serenity. These are just two of the nicer green havens that you can check out in and around Kunming.

In Kunming be sure to investigate some of the interesting cultural centers and museums, including the Yunnan Provincial Museum, where families can learn and be challenged. Enjoy the quiet spaces, ask about any one-off exhibitions, buy something from the gift shop or just enjoy the lovingly crafted exhibits.

If you enjoy animals and wildlife, try to fit a trip to Kunming Zoo into your itinerary to discover an interesting collection of animals. Ask about zoo-keeper presentations and learn about some of the zoo’s favorite species.

After you’ve explored all the main spots on the Kunming tourist trail, spend a little time at these four lesser known, but equally rewarding sights. The East Pagoda, The West Pagoda, the Qiongzhu Si and the Yuantong Si are all recommended if you have a few hours to spare.