Kunming is the provincial capital of Yunnan Province, which has an area of 15.6 thousand square kilometers and a population of 3.6 million. Kunming is situated at the high plateau of the eastern part of Yunnan Province. To the south is the biggest Dian Lake of Yunnan Province. It belongs to the subtropical plateau monsoon climatic zone; the annual average temperature is 14.7 and the yearly precipitation, 1024 mm. It is rich in phosphorus, salt mine and quartz and other such mineral resources as mirabilite, iron, bauxite, copper, coal, etc; it is also rich in ground water and geothermal energy resources.
In the field of industries, priority is given to the development of machinery, metallurgy, textile and building materials, among which the industries of smelting nonferrous metals and tobacco processing form one of the main production basis of their kinds in China. The productions of machine tool, optical instruments and meters, electrical machinery, cigarette, phosphorus, phosphate fertilizer, the melting of lead, copper and zinc have captured an important share in the domestic market.
In agriculture, paddy rice, oil, flue-cured tobacco, sugar cane, fruits, sericulture and live pigs are produced in abundance. Fresh water fishery is cultivated in the Dian Lake.
Kunming City has a good transport service in traffic and has been linked with more than 30 cities, domestic and abroad, by air.
Kunming City is China's famous historic cultural city. Because it is evergreen everywhere like spring all the year round with flowers blooming everywhere, the city is known as "City of Spring" or "City of Flowers". It is indeed a well-known site for sightseeing and a summer resort. The Dian Lake and the Stone Forest are the two State Major places of historic interest and scenic beauty. There are also such beautiful sites as "Black Dragon Pond" and "Tranquility Hot Spring". You will also have the opportunity to savour such traditional local specialties as the Yunnan Ham, Cured Chichen, Long Across the Bridge Rice Noodle, Fragrant Tea Sending Forth Delicate Fragrance far and Near, Steam Pot Chicken and the Whole Chicken Banquet, etc.