Kunming World Horticultural Expo Garden is located beside the Jindian Scenic Area in the northeastern suburbs of Panlong District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province. It is approximately 4 kilometers away from the urban area of Kunming and is a national 5A-level scenic spot. The garden covers an area of about 2.18 square kilometers, with a vegetation coverage rate of 76.7%. Among this area, 120 hectares are gentle slopes covered with dense shrubs, and water surfaces account for 10%-15% of the total area. The total construction area is 19,927 square meters, the viewing platform area is 3,600 square meters, and the area of roads and paved sites is 4,340 square meters. The scenic spot integrates local characteristics from all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government of China, as well as horticultural products, courtyard buildings, and technological achievements with styles from 95 countries. With the theme of "Harmonious Development between Man and Nature", it is a concentrated display of modern garden architecture and art.
Historical Culture
In May 1993, China applied to the International Association of Horticultural Producers (AIPH) to host the 1999 World Horticultural Exposition. In October 1994, AIPH resolved to support the application, and in December of the same year, the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) approved it. In December 1995, the State Council approved Yunnan Province to undertake the exposition and adjusted the host city from Beijing to Kunming. In 1996, BIE and AIPH respectively agreed to relocate the exposition to Kunming. The construction of the garden started in 1997 and officially opened in May 1999. From May 1 to October 31, 1999, the '99 Kunming World Horticultural Exposition was held here. After the exposition closed, the venues were fully preserved for tourism development. In 2000, the Expo Bureau was restructured into Yunnan Expo Group. In 2020, Overseas Chinese Town Group launched the park renovation and upgrading project.
Main Attractions
Garden Avenue
It is 800 meters long and about 60 meters wide, including a themed landscape corridor and a garden parade avenue. The main building complex is laid out in a setback style. The corridor is composed of flower corridors and flower beds, with main flowers including azaleas, chrysanthemums, and hydrangeas.
China Pavilion
As the largest main exhibition hall of the expo, it covers an area of 33,000 square meters with a construction area of nearly 20,000 square meters. Adopting the style of southern residential buildings with white walls and green tiles, it includes a viewing platform, a main exhibition hall, 9 functional exhibition halls, and office service areas.
Grand Greenhouse
With a total construction area of 3,630 square meters and a land area of 2,400 square meters, it is aligned with the central axis of the Expo Garden's entrance. It is divided into tropical plant exhibition area, temperate plant exhibition area, alpine plant exhibition area (above 3,000 meters above sea level), and a photo exhibition hall.
Man and Nature Pavilion
It covers an area of 19,148 square meters and is composed of three regular hexagons with a side length of 24 meters.
Science and Technology Pavilion
Covering an area of 6,650 square meters, it is divided into two parts: an exhibition hall and a circular-screen cinema.
Shaanxi Tang Garden
It has 26 landscapes including the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, Lingyan Pavilion, Furong Garden, Peony Garden, and Apricot Garden.
Tibet Gesang Garden
Tibet Gesang Garden (meaning "Garden of Auspiciousness") is derived from Norbulingka, a precious garden heritage in Tibet. It centrally reflects the artistic achievements of Tibet in garden design, architecture, painting, sculpture, and other aspects.
Jiangxi Porcelain Garden
With an area of 1,112 square meters, it showcases ancient manual porcelain-making techniques, creates a garden effect with local characteristics of Jiangxi, and reproduces a corner of Jingdezhen during the Qing Dynasty.
Beijing Wanchun Garden
In terms of style, it mainly embodies the grand, solemn, and magnificent characteristics of imperial gardens. The garden gate is a 1:1 replica of the three gates in front of the Huangqiongyu (Imperial Vault of Heaven) in Beijing Temple of Heaven Park, aiming to display the imperial grandeur.
Chongqing Bayu Garden
With an area of 1,510 square meters, it presents a landscape garden scene reflecting the natural characteristics of Chongqing.
Bamboo Garden
Located on the southeast side of Yantang Reservoir, it covers an area of 17,000 square meters. It collects more than 4,000 clusters of bamboos belonging to 28 genera and 222 species, including rare species such as Qiongzhu Bamboo and Iron Bamboo.
Tour Route
Main Entrance → Welcome Square → Garden Avenue (Exhibition Center, Flower Clock) → China Pavilion → Auspicious Peacock Square → Grand Greenhouse → Vegetable and Fruit Garden → Bonsai Garden → Herb Garden → West Area of International Outdoor Exhibition Area (Palestine Garden, Vietnam Garden, etc.) → Science and Technology Pavilion (under renovation and upgrading) → Tea Garden → Cliff Art Square → East Area of International Outdoor Exhibition Area (France Garden, Russia Garden, etc.) → International Pavilion → Famous Flower and Art Stone Garden → Tree Garden → Man and Nature Pavilion (under renovation and upgrading) → Chinese Outdoor Exhibition Area (China Splendid Garden) → Huaxia Square → Expo Memory Cultural Experience Area → Bamboo Garden → Main Entrance. The total length of the tour is approximately 10 kilometers.
Tour Suggestions
- Choose a sunny day for the tour to facilitate shooting plant landscapes.
- Wear comfortable sports shoes, as the walking distance in the garden is relatively long.
- Plan the route in advance and give priority to visiting the main exhibition halls and characteristic national exhibition areas.
- Rent an audio guide (about 20 yuan per unit) to gain an in-depth understanding of horticultural culture.
Notes
- Trampling on lawns and picking flowers and plants are prohibited, and violators will be fined 50-200 yuan.
- Keep your mobile phone, wallet, and other valuables safe, and be alert to theft during holidays when there is a large flow of people.
- If you bring children, please take care of them throughout the tour and keep them away from pools and steep slopes.
- Prepare sunscreen and mosquito repellent in summer, and pay attention to wind protection and warmth retention in winter.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Bus No. 47, 69, 71, 182, 235, A1, etc., and get off at Expo Garden Station.
- Subway: Take Subway Line 5 and get off at Expo Garden Station.
- Self-driving: Navigate to "Kunming World Horticultural Expo Garden", and there is a parking lot in the garden.
Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday: 8:30-17:00. The opening hours and ticket prices for the night scene will be announced separately.
Ticket Price
Free Admission.
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic spot "昆明世博园旅游区" to get the latest updates.