Kunming (Chinese: 昆明; pinyin: Kūnmíng; Wade-Giles: K'un-ming) is the capital of Yunnan province, China. It is located at the northern edge of the massive Lake Dian and has a population of more than four million. Because of its year-round temperate weather, Kunming is often called the "City of Spring."

Geography

Kunming is situated atop a plateau in Yunnan Province. It enjoys a protected location with mountains surrounding th city on three sides, and a lake to the south.

History

Early townships in the southern edge of Dianchi (outside the contemporary city parameter) could be dated backed to 279 BC, although long since lost to history.

In 765 AD, Tuodong (拓东) city was founded.

In the 13th century, Marco Polo is thought to have traveled to this area and written about his fascination. The city was renamed Kunming by the Mongol rulers of the Yuan dynasty in 1276.

In the 14th century, Kunming was retaken by the Ming dynasty, which built a wall surrounding present-day Kunming.

In the 19th century, Kunming suffered at the hands of rebel leader Du Wenxiu, the Sultan of Dali, who attacked and besieged the city several times between 1858 and 1868. Decades later Kunming began to be influenced by the West.

Economy

Kunming's economy was ranked 14th of all Chinese cities in 1992. The salt and phosphate mines around Kunming are some of China's best.  The tea, coffee and tobacco industries are large and continuously growing.  Organic and Green farming has become an interest to Yunnan's agricultural bureau making organic and natural food products more accessible.  Yunnan prides itself as the most diverse tourist destination in China which draws people from all over China and the international community. 

Colleges and Universities

• Yunnan University (云南大学) (founded 1922)
• Kunming University of Science and Technology (昆明理工大学)
• Southwest Forestry College [1] (http://www.swfc.edu.cn) (西南林学院)
• Yunnan Agricultural University (云南农业大学)
• Yunnan Normal University (云南师范大学)
• Yunnan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (云南中医学院)
• Yunnan University of Finance and Economics (云南财贸学院)
• Yunnan Nationalities University ()

Note: Institutions without full-time bachelor programs are not listed.

Links

www.gokunming.com

www.salvadors.cn