Timeline
06:56
Take bus no. 249 from Longtou Street Station on Metro Line 2 to Black Dragon Pool Park. The gardens open at 09:00, but you can walk the grounds early to find a quiet vantage point before the sun breaks the horizon.
07:46
Walk 13 minutes east from the gardens to Black Dragon Pool Park. Arrive here just before 07:56 to watch the sun rise toward the WSW, casting a soft glow on the plum trees and temple roofs.
08:36
Head back to the Kunming Botanical Gardens once it opens at 09:00. Grab a coffee or light breakfast inside the park to warm up after the morning chill.
Local tip
The park is large. Stick to the West Garden for easier access and fewer crowds in the early morning.
Check before you go
- Kunming Botanical Gardens opens at 09:00 on Tuesday through Sunday.
- Bus no. 249 runs from Longtou Street Station on Metro Line 2.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Kunming (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).