what to eat

Steaming-Pot Chicken (Qiguo Ji)
This dish gained its name from steaming the chicken in a pot with a hollow tube in the center. It is a simple tasty dish. To make it, place chicken, ginger, a shallot, pepper and salt in the pot and steam for about four hours, during which time steam from the tube contacts the cold pot cover turning to water, then flows back into the pot to become delicious chicken soup. Before serving, remove ginger and shallot.

Braised Jizong (mushroom) in Soy Sauce (Hongshao Jizong)
Kunming is host to various wild mushrooms including Jizong. Whenever the sun shines after a rain from June to September, many Jizong shaped like small grey umbrellas appear on the mountain. The chicken-like taste of Jizong is popular with gourmands. Braised Jizong in Soy Sauce is prepared this way: Wash Jizong; dry by airing; cut into pieces. Next chop chili and tenderloin pieces. Wrap tenderloin and Jizong pieces in egg white, starch and salt mixture; fry in hot oil. Finally, braise the Jizong and tenderloin pieces with garlic, ginger and shallot. Drizzle sesame oil on a plate, place braised pieces on oil.

Over The Bridge Rice Noodles
Over The Bridge Rice Noodles is a typical local dish in Yunnan that can only be found in certain parts of the province. The dish is prepared in three stages:
The meat pieces, which might be pork, chicken, fish (typically the local specialty, carp) and seafood (typically squid, from the sea), are placed in a large pot, to which is added a sufficient quantity of chicken broth and some heavy oil. The meat pieces might include cooked (eventually leftovers) or raw meats, or a mix of the two, just as one typically mixes as many of the kinds of meat cuts as one has available (this dish is a great way to make use of leftovers, which surely also helps to explain its popularity). After the meat has cooked until tender, vegetables are added and the dish is allowed to simmer a few minutes longer, then rice noodles are added and the dish is allowed to simmer a little longer, or just until the noodles are cooked al dente. Bon appetite!

what to buy

The Wax Print
The art of producing wax prints is an ancient tradition among many ethnic minority groups in the area. The artisans of the Kunming area weave themes relating to their respective cultures into their handicrafts. The wax prints of Yunnan Province, not unlike similar wax prints produced by ethnic groups elsewhere in China, are very colorful, with unique and complex geometric patterns as well as naturalistic representations. Surprisingly, the average price for a wax print in Kunming is very affordable – some selling for as little as 15 Yuan each. Learn more about Chinese Wax Printing.

The Sani Handbag
The Sani Handbag is made by the women of the Sani ethnic group, a branch of the Yi ethnic minority in Yunnan Province. Thanks to the preservation of the group's ancient handicraft traditions, Sani women excel in spinning, weaving and embroidering. The Sani Handbag, famous the world over for its superb craftsmanship and its intricate and exquisite patterns and designs, represents the epitome of Sani handicraft skills. The Sani Handbag, which sells for roughly 30 Yuan, is also comparatively cheap, considering that it is not only a work of art, but is intended for practical use as an attractive handbag.

Dai Brocade
The women of the Dai ethnic minority are skilled in the art of weaving, and excel in weaving silk brocade in particular. Dai women are responsible for some of the most elaborate brocade designs produced in China (note that brocade, or tapestry, is used in many applications, including curtains, pillow cases, sofa coverings and wall tapestries – and in Imperial China, silk brocade, usually richly laced with gold thread, was used to produce bling-like robes, jackets and other outer clothing). Tourists will find a wide variety of Dai brocades in shops and ethnic vending stalls along the streets of Kunming. The price quite naturally varies depending on the size of the item, its materials (some may still include gold) and the complexity of its design. However, one can usually buy a quality brocade for as little as 100 Yuan, perhaps a little less depending on the seller's willingness to bargain.

where to go in the evening

Kundu night market:It is a place that concentrates on dinning, tourism, shopping as well as culture. Here you can find Teahouse, coffee house, Internet bar, local snacks and so on, aiming at different kinds of people. Its location is right beside the Yunnan University. See the below carefully chosen activities:

Hump Pub: The most famous in Kunming supplying all sorts of wine, beer, also internet service, and performance by an energetic band on weekends. Here is a gathering place for the tourists to exchange travel experience. If you are lucky enough, you may even encounter some expert on traveling.

weather

Kunming belongs to a low-latitude monsoon climate, does not have bitter cold in winter or extreme heat in summer. The annual temperature averages around 14.5 C (about 58.1 F), and foliage remains green all year thus obtain its name of the 'Spring City'. January is the coldest season at about 8 C(about 46.4 F) while July is the hottest month with an average temperature of 18  C(about 64.4  F). While there is no obvious peak or low seasons for tourism in Kunming; many visitors prefer the lively period from March to October.
Since the temperature between day and night may vary between 12  C(about 53.6  F) to 20  C(about 68  F), pack warm clothing for night, carry sunglass, and apply sun block. Take along water and fruits to avoid dehydration.
Because during the Kunming rainy season, May to October, the temperature may drop suddenly, a lined raincoat is recommended.