Dian Lake - the largest freshwater lake in Yunnan Province
Last Update: 18th October 2020
Lying in the southwest of Kunming, Dian Lake is 40 kilometers long from north to south, 7 kilometers wide from east to west. The widest point is 12.5 kilometers. The lake is 1886 meters above sea level and the lakeshore line is about 150 kilometers long. It offers a variety of landscapes by the lakeshore, such as Cuihu Lake, West Hill (Xishan Forest Park), Daguan Park with old buildings and Zhenghe Park in honor of Zhenghe.
Interested in visiting Dian Lake on a Yunnan Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including Dian Lake, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.
What to expect at Dian Lake
From November to March, black-headed gulls always gather at the lake from Siberia. At the period of time, you will see hundreds of black headed gulls playing at the lake. If interested, you can feed them with some bread.
Other attractions are situated near Dian Lake. If you enjoy climbing, it is recommended that you explore West Hill (Xishan Forest Park) by the western bank of the lake. At the park, you will find several old buildings hidden in the green forest. In addition, you will find the amazing stone carvings on the wall of the hill, such as stone chambers, stone incense burner, stone candleholder, etc. In March, locals will gather at the hill to do Lion Dancing and perform other types of shows.
If you would like to experience local life, you could walk along Guanjing Road at the eastern bank of the lake. Daguan Park on the north of the lake offers various types of cruise boats to tourists to take a close look at Dian Lake on the lake. Originally built in 1682, the park offers old buildings in the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1912) Dynasties styles. At Haigeng Park at the eastern bank, you will see colorful sculptures. Guanyin Mountain standing at the middle section of the western bank is home to 25 species of rare animals and 15 species of rare plants, suc as spinulose tree fern, Alcimandra cathcardii Dandy and slow loris.
Other attractions are situated near Dian Lake. If you enjoy climbing, it is recommended that you explore West Hill (Xishan Forest Park) by the western bank of the lake. At the park, you will find several old buildings hidden in the green forest. In addition, you will find the amazing stone carvings on the wall of the hill, such as stone chambers, stone incense burner, stone candleholder, etc. In March, locals will gather at the hill to do Lion Dancing and perform other types of shows.
If you would like to experience local life, you could walk along Guanjing Road at the eastern bank of the lake. Daguan Park on the north of the lake offers various types of cruise boats to tourists to take a close look at Dian Lake on the lake. Originally built in 1682, the park offers old buildings in the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1912) Dynasties styles. At Haigeng Park at the eastern bank, you will see colorful sculptures. Guanyin Mountain standing at the middle section of the western bank is home to 25 species of rare animals and 15 species of rare plants, suc as spinulose tree fern, Alcimandra cathcardii Dandy and slow loris.
Best time to visit Dian Lake
If you are planning to visit Dian Lake for photography purposes, the best time is during the sunrise and the sunset.
You can visit the lake at any time around the year. If you are planning to see black-headed gulls, you could visit the lake between November and March.
You can visit the lake at any time around the year. If you are planning to see black-headed gulls, you could visit the lake between November and March.
How to get to Dian Lake
As the lakeshore winds through Kunming, you could get to any attraction along the lake. Therefore, there are several options.
- Rent a vehicle to the lake. This is the quickest and most direct option.
- Take Bus 24, 44, 233 and Bus 73 to the Stop of Haigeng Park (海埂公园).
- Take Bus A9 to the Stop of Nationalities Village (民族村).
Additional Dian Lake Travel Advice
- Opening hours: 24 hours
- As at 18th October 2020, the entrance pricing is free of charge.
- If interested, you could take a round-trip cable car between West Hill and Yunan Nationalities Village crossing above the lake.
- The entrance pricing to the round-trip cable car is 50 CNY per person. For the latest pricing information, please contact us via email (info@wendyweitours.com)
Interested in visiting Dian Lake on a Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including Dian Lake, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.