Kunming, Prefecture-level city in Yunnan, China
Kunming is a prefecture-level city in Yunnan Province, China. Mountain ranges to the north, west, and east form a natural frame for several districts that spread across different elevations and are crossed by lakes.
The area became part of the Chinese empire from 109 BCE after the Dian Kingdom was incorporated. During World War II, the city served as a base for allied supply lines to Burma.
Local tea culture shows in the many teahouses and markets where Yunnan tea is sold in different varieties. Visitors see how the different communities meet in their traditional dress and at marketplaces, with each group keeping its own language and customs.
The city sits at around 1900 meters (about 6200 feet) above sea level, which makes the air thinner and the sun stronger than in lowland areas. Railway connections reach Vietnam, Laos, and Myanmar, making it a good starting point for cross-border travel.
About 100 kilometers southeast of the city lies the Stone Forest of Shilin, where limestone pillars rise from the ground and caves run through. This formation developed over millions of years through erosion and tectonics, with pillars reaching up to 30 meters in height.
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