Cuihu Park: A Millennium Turn from "Caihaizi" to Chuncheng Jade

Eye of Water City - From Caihaizi to Cuihu
The name 'Cuihu' comes from its breathtaking scenery. As early as the end of the Yuan Dynasty, this place was called "Caihaizi" because it was connected to Dianchi Lake and had a wide water area; Also named "Jiulong Pool" because there are nine springs in the northeast of the lake. It was not until the early 20th century that this poetic name was established due to its scenery of "eight sided water green, four season bamboo green, spring and summer willow green".

The Road to New Life - From Private Gardens to People's Parks
The modern story of Cuihu is an epic of openness, from the private gardens of the privileged to the shared land of the citizens.
Landscape architecture began during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, when Yunnan Governor Wang Jiwen built the "Biyi Pavilion" on the central island of the lake, and Cuihu Lake was designated as a scenic area.
In the modern era of the Republic of China, the role of the Huxin Pavilion architectural complex changed, serving as a French consulate, hostel, and even the city defense headquarters, leaving a distinct mark of the times.
After the establishment of the People's Republic of China, Cuihu Lake underwent multiple dredging and improvements, and finally opened to the public for free on September 25, 2002, becoming the first free park in Kunming and truly returning to the embrace of the people.
Today, relying on its profound heritage, the Green Lake has formed a "Green Lake Museum Group" around it, including the military academy of Yunnan Army and several former residences of celebrities. It will become a national 4A tourist attraction in 2020, becoming a core window to show the history and culture of Kunming.

In depth understanding: Explore more cultural landmarks in Chinese cities>>West Lake in Hangzhou

Natural Creation - A Three Dimensional Picture of Four Seasons Circulation
Although Cuihu Lake is located in the bustling city, it has built a vibrant micro ecosystem with a pool of flowing water. The scenery varies throughout the four seasons and is known as the "eyes of Kunming".
The Promise of Four Seasons: From the Red billed Gull to the Gingko Path
The four seasons of Cuihu have a distinctive rhythm. In winter (November to March of the following year), red billed gulls from Siberia arrive as scheduled, flying up and down to play with people, which is an ecological wonder and warm agreement that has lasted for decades.
The urban lake pattern of "three mountains and one water"
The beauty of Cuihu cannot be separated from its unique background. It, together with the surrounding Wuhua Mountain and Yuantong Mountain, forms a natural geographical pattern of "three mountains and one water", forming a unique space of "three sides surrounded by mountains and one city", which is an extremely rare scenery in the city center.

Humanistic Craftsmanship - Historical Echoes between Pavilions and Towers
Strolling around the lake, every step may step on the pulse of history.
The Huxin Pavilion (Biyi Pavilion) is the visual and spiritual center of the park. This square double eaved pavilion, first built in 1692, with flying eaves and yellow tiles, stands in the center of the lake, reflecting the blue waves. It is one of the most representative ancient buildings in Kunming.
Guanyu Tower is located on an island in the center of the lake and is a group of Jiangnan style buildings that integrate corridors, pavilions, pavilions, and bridges. In the pond in front of the building, there are groups of koi, recreating the elegant charm of "watching fish on the moat" in the past.
The Kunming Water Supply History Museum is located by the Jiulong Pool, which was once the location of Kunming's first water supply plant. The museum tells the story of the modernization process of "moistening people's livelihoods" in this city, cleverly connecting natural landscapes with urban history.

Photography tips:
The panoramic camera is located on Tangdi or Ruandi, and can capture the ancient and modern dialogue between the Huxin Pavilion and the city skyline.
The best time to capture cultural moments is during the winter morning when red billed gulls feed, and in the afternoon when citizens entertain themselves in the long corridor.
Architectural details: the eaves reflection of the pavilion in the lake center, the arch corridor of the Army military academy, and the yellow walls and green windows of Huanggong East Street are all excellent composition elements.
Seasonal scenery: The lotus flowers with dew from 6-8 am in summer, and the golden ginkgo avenue in autumn, are all worth recording with care.

Four must do things to unlock the essence of Green Lake
Go to a gull alliance that spans thousands of miles: come to Cuihu in winter, buy a pack of gull food, and feel the light touch of red billed gulls pecking from the palm of your hand. This is the most approachable natural interaction in Kunming.
Explore the summer fun deep in the lotus pond: In the midst of summer, take a stroll along the embankment or rent a small boat to dive into the depths of lotus flowers, and experience the poetic feeling of "people swimming in the painting" in the painting scroll of "endless green lotus leaves connecting to the sky".
Walk around the "museum settlement" for a hundred years: take the green lake as the center, explore the military academy and the old houses of celebrities on foot, and understand the thickness of "a pool of green lake water, half of the history of Kunming" in the mottled buildings and exhibitions.
Soak up a period of artistic street time: Step out of the west or north gate of the park, enter Culture Lane or Mr. Slope, find a coffee shop or bookstore with an eye for it, sit down and read, watch the people come and go, and enjoy the unique "slow time" of Spring City.

 Tourist Route Suggestions
Half day 'Core Walk' Tour (suitable for those with limited time):
In the afternoon, enter from the south gate of the park and walk along the Ruan Causeway to the Huxin Pavilion to enjoy the ancient architecture and lake scenery (40 minutes). Then visit the nearby Guanyu Tower and Kunming Water History Museum (30 minutes). Walk along the Tang Causeway again and enjoy the lake and mountain scenery from different angles (30 minutes). Finally, exit the garden through the west or north gate and find a place to rest on Wenlin Street or Wenhua Lane, experiencing the artistic atmosphere.
IntoTravelChina tip: This trip is easy and free, with the focus on experiencing the atmosphere and rhythm of the park.
One day 'Deep Humanities' Tour (highly recommended):
Morning: Visit the military academy of the Yunnan Army (1.5 hours' tour required by appointment), then walk to the Green Lake Park, and visit the core scenic spots along the lake, such as the lake pavilion and the fish watching tower.
Noon: Enjoy authentic snacks such as Crossing the bridge noodles in Yunnan around Cuihu Lake or Wenhua Lane.
Afternoon: Choose to visit 1-2 famous people's old residences (such as Zhu De's old residence and Yuan Jiagu's old residence), then stroll through historical districts such as Huanggong East Street, take photos and check in. If you are interested, you can go to the nearby Kunming Old Street and Nanqiang Street to experience the lively night market and delicious food (in the evening).
The advantages of IntoTravelChina: We can book the most suitable accommodation for you, arrange the connection of all activities, and provide detailed hiking routes and safety guidelines.

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 How to reach: Convenient Oasis in the Urban Center
Cuihu Park is located in the absolute core area of Kunming, with extremely convenient transportation.
The subway is one of the most convenient ways, you can take Kunming Metro Line 5 to the "Huashan West Road" station, or take other lines and transfer to a bus/walk a short distance to get there.
The bus network is dense, with dozens of bus routes available, such as Route 100, 101, 133, 235, Z5, etc. Get off at "Cuihu East Gate" or nearby stations.

 Best Travel Time
Suitable for all seasons, but winter and summer have irreplaceable limited beauty.
Winter Gull Watching Season (November March of the following year): The climate remains mild, with the core highlight being the viewing and feeding of red billed gulls, experiencing a unique human gull experience.
Summer lotus viewing season (June August): Kunming is cool in summer and a great place to escape the heat. At this time, the lotus flowers in Cuihu are in full bloom, and the Lotus Culture Tourism Festival is rich in activities.

Accommodation and Surrounding Tour
The vicinity of the park is the preferred accommodation area, and there are numerous boutique hotels and characteristic homestays in the surrounding blocks of Cuihu. Staying here can experience the convenience of "bustling when leaving, peaceful when entering", and enjoy the beautiful scenery of Cuihu alone in the morning and evening.
The main business districts of Kunming, such as Nanping Street and Shuncheng, offer a wide range of hotel options, making dining and shopping extremely convenient. Taking the subway or bus to Cuihu is also very fast.

IntoTravelChina accommodation booking recommendations:
There is a tight demand for characteristic accommodations around Cuihu, especially observation rooms. We strongly recommend planning your itinerary in advance and booking accommodation. By booking with us, not only can you get real-time room availability, but you can also package accommodation, cultural experiences, transportation planning, and often receive combined discounts, ensuring seamless travel. Tell us your budget and requirements, and we will match you with the most suitable 'Spring City Heart'. >>Click to contact IntoTravelChina travel consultant

Cuihu Park is the perfect starting point for understanding the cultural history of Kunming and even Yunnan, which can radiate multiple exciting routes.
Classic 3-day humanistic lake spring trip in central Yunnan: Kunming (Green Lake, military academy, Dianchi Ridge) → Chengjiang Fuxian Lake (Plateau Deep Lake) → return to Kunming. This is a leisure journey that combines urban history with natural scenery.

 In depth 8-day panoramic tour of Yunnan: Kunming (Green Lake, Stone Forest) → Dali (Ancient City, Erhai Lake) → Lijiang (Ancient City, Snow Mountain). This is a classic Yunnan first experience route from a historic city to the picturesque scenery. >>Explore a 8-day Yunnan Classic Tour

The story of Cuihu Park is about the dynamic relationship between a city and water, the sedimentation of historical storms between pavilions, and the everlasting passion for life in ordinary days. IntoTravelChina is dedicated to creating a deep, personalized, and worry free travel experience in China. Our travel experts can assist you with:
Tailored itinerary: Design a perfect route that includes Cuihu Park, Kunming, and Yunnan based on your interests and time.
One stop service: Get tickets, special accommodations, transportation connections, local cultural guides, and event reservations.
Exclusive experience: arrange in-depth explanations of the lakeside museum group, best seagull photography guidance, and visits to niche cultural districts.
Make your trip to Kunming not just sightseeing, but also a profound dialogue with the city's historical pulse and daily smoke and fire.

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