Kunming

Kunming (Chinese: 昆明; Hanyu 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 (春城)."

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

Elevation: 1900 meters (6200 feet) above sea level.

Early townships in the southern edge of Dianchi (outside the comtemporary city parameter) can be dated back 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.