Timeline
08:00
Enter Black Dragon Pool Park right when it opens at 08:00. This is the quietest time to admire the ancient plum trees and the tranquility of Caoxi Temple without the midday rush. The park is a rare large garden known for its precious Gu Mei plum trees.
09:30
Walk west for 13 minutes to the Kunming Botanical Gardens. These gardens form a national scenic area with Black Dragon Pool and feature introduced precious flowers and traditional medicinal plants. The morning light is perfect for exploring the diverse flora.
10:30
Return to Black Dragon Pool Park for a late lunch or snack. Since there are no food or drink shops listed in the immediate vicinity, bring a packed meal or check local options near the park entrance. Use this time to sit by the pool and reflect on the morning's walk.
12:00
End your visit. Take bus no. 249 from the Longtou Street Station on Metro Line 2 to head back into the city.
Local tip
Entry is pricey at ¥20 per person per day, but the access to these rare ancient trees and the connected botanical gardens makes it worth the cost. The park is open from 08:00 to 18:00, so you have plenty of time to explore at a leisurely pace.
Check before you go
- Black Dragon Pool Park opens at 08:00. Arrive early to beat the crowds and enjoy the tranquility.
- The park is closed at 18:00, so plan your return walk accordingly.
- There are no food or drink shops listed within the park or botanical gardens, so bring water and snacks.
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Kunming (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).