 |
 Kunming,
an ancient cultural city, is the capital of Yunnan Province in the
southwest that is extolled as the "Southern World of Colored
Clouds". It is situated 1,894 meters above sea level with pleasant
weather year round for an annual mean temperature of 14.5 degrees
in Celsius, hence its nickname, "the City of Perpetual Spring".
This temperate tropical zone is ideal for eco-tourism, with snow-capped
mountains and glaciers, lakes and hot springs, highland landscape
and primitive rain forests. This kingdom of plants and animals includes
lush forests that total nearly 10 million hectares or 8% of the nation's
total.
Kunming has 3.5 million residents
that is a highly diversified population with 26 different ethnic
peoples including Han, Yi, Bai, Hani, Zhuang, Dai and Miao. It is
one of Southeast Asia's transportation hubs with convenient land
and air connections. Kunming is known for its many rich resources
that attract tourists with its mild climate, beautiful lush landscape,
long history and ethnic folklore. It is known as the Kingdom of
Animals, Plants and Non-Ferrous Metals due to the abundant natural
resources. In ancient times, Kunming was an important gateway to
the celebrated Silk Road that carried on to Tibet, Sichuan, Myanmar
and India.
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