Known as “The City of Eternal Spring”, Kunming (昆明) has long been regarded as one of China’s most liveable cities thanks to its pleasant climate and flowers that bloom all year long. With a history of more than 2,400 years, the capital of Yunnan Province is also a gateway city to Dali, Lijiang and Shangri-la, and the tropical paradise Xishuangbanna.  

As a province with the largest number of ethnic minority groups in China, Yunnan cuisine is defined by a wide variety of droll inducing ethnic and Chinese delicacies.  

Kunming is the best place to sample Yunnan’s most famous dish: ‘crossing-the-bridge-noodles’(过桥米线), a dish served with a large bowl of boiling hot chicken broth and rice noodles. The layer of oil on top of the broth keeps the dish bone-warming, perfect when the cold weather hits.

During the rainy summer months, wild mushrooms will spring up on the mountainous regions of Kunming, making it the best time to savour the Yunnan's classic wild mushroom hot pot. Another local delicacy that packs a nutritious punch is Steam Pot Chicken (汽锅鸡). It is a poultry dish made in a unique double boiler that steam-cook the chicken, thus preserving the flavours and nutrients.