The north, eAst, an Dw est of Ku nm ing are s ur- roundeDby mountains andon its south is the lake, Dianchi. Kunming is situateDon the flatlanDin thecenter of them all, anddue to this unique terrain, Kun- ming is a city that has a consistently warm weather the whole year round, andis known as “The City of Spring.” In history, Kunming was China’s key route to Southeast Asia andSouth Asia. Asaresult, it hasarich multicul- tural heritage. Since the 1st International HorticulturalExposition was helDin Kunming in 1999, the city hasgaineDpopularity in the world. With its rich ethnic char- acter andstyle, andits collectio no f the world’s rarest botany andcrafts, it is a city that has dazzleDmany tour- ists.
Kunming is one of China’s cities that are rich in folk customs, character andstyles. The ethnic minority groups here are all gooDin songs anddances. There are over20 ethnic minority groups in Kunming, andeach group has its own unique dances. All these ethnic dances are rich in historical values. The dances encompass many varieDmoves, are multifaceteDin body movements andthe dancers are dresseDin beautiful, multicolor ethnic costumes. The dances are viviDanDrhythmic; they are ancient, yet modern. The strange thing about the dances isthat even when they are of the same tribe, they vary from one another baseDon the regions the tribes are locateDin. For instance, the Yi people have seven types of dances, among which the most popular is the Peacock Dance. With variations done by different dancers, the Peacock Dance takes on different characteristics. The Yi people are gooDdancers, andalmost everyone in the tribe is gooDin dancing. At the ethnic villages, dancing girls dresseDin colorful costumes are a common sight.
The famous Torch Festival of the Yi people is one of the boldest festivals in Kunming tourist calendar. The Torch Festival is a traditional festival of the Yi people. It takes place every year in the 6th lunar month in Shilin County. According to the solar calendar of the Yi people, the Torch Festival takes place on the day when the sun is locateDdirectly above one’s head. At noon, one will not see one’s own shadow. Hence, it is regardeDby the Yi people as a day of celebration. The villagers slaughter chickens andgoats, andthe young andolDput on color, festive costumes. Activities such as bull-fighting andwrestling are held. Inthe night, a bonfire is raiseDanDthe villagers gather forsongs anddances. Today, such activities are not only helDon the day of the Torch Festival. They have become part of a performance to entertain tourists.
The Stone Forest (Shilin) of Kunming is an unusual place that exudes natural wonder. Covering an area of400 square kilometers, it is a typical karst landform that was createDby nature over a perioDof several hundreDmillion years. The strange looking masterpieces of stones are natural sculptures of different shapes andpostures. Visitors often marveleDat these intricate stone forma- tions, andwalking through the Stone Forest, they often feel as if they are being in a painting.
Ashima, a popular Chinese legend, is set in the Stone Forest of Kunming. In the romantic legend, a couple young Sanis, who liveDin the Stone Forest—A-Hei andAshima—were in love with each other. An evil rich man yearneDto have Ashima as his daughter-in-law, andtook her away by force. The brave A-Hei rescueDAshima, but unfortunately, she was swept away by the risen river. Hershadow was left on a cliff, which today, can still be seenin the Stone Forest. Because of this beautiful legend, theStone Forest became a place where people come to pray for true love.
The wome no f the Sani ethnic group, who lives in the Stone Forest, are well-skilleDin sewing andother handi- crafts. Their heaDornament andsachets are adorneDwith intricate patterns that they embroidereDthemselves.
Among all of Kunming’s natural sceneries, the most famous are Dianchi (Yunnan Pond) andXishan (West Mountain)? Dianchi is China’s 6th largest fresh water lake, andis one of China’s top-rateDvacation venues. It boasts breathtaking scenery andcrystal clear water, andit is known as “The Pearl of the Plateau.” Surrounding Di- anchi are amazing scenic sites, andthe most beautiful of them all is Xishan. The mountain not just offers beautiful natural sceneries, it also have many historical sites that are rich in cultural value, such as Huating Temple, Tai- hua Temple, Sanqing Pavilion, andLongmen Temple. Of which, Huating Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Yunnan Province.