Daguan Park (大观公园) is situated approximately 2 kilometers west of Kunming City, along the shores of Dianchi Lake. It was originally established in the first year of the Hongwu era of the Ming Dynasty (1368 AD). In the thirty-fifth year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1696 AD), the Daguan Pavilion was built, giving the park its name. Covering an area of over 700 acres, Daguan Park is the largest park in the city.
During the reign of Emperor Qianlong, the renowned scholar Sun Ranweng was inspired by the scenery from the Daguan Pavilion and wrote a remarkable 180-character long couplet, vividly showcasing the beauty of Dianchi Lake and the rich history of Yunnan over thousands of years. This couplet quickly gained fame and was celebrated throughout the land, earning the title of “the first couplet in the country.” The Daguan Pavilion thus became one of the four famous pavilions in China, alongside the Yellow Crane Tower, Yueyang Tower, and Tengwang Pavilion.
The Daguan Pavilion preserves numerous historical and cultural relics dating back to the Qing Dynasty, including couplets, plaques, inscriptions, and stone tablets. These include inscriptions from the Xianfeng era, couplets written by prominent figures such as Song Xiang, Ruan Yuan, Ma Rulong, Zhao Fan, Chen Rongchang, You Yunlong, and Wang Can, as well as plaques by Tang Jiyao and poems by Guo Moruo.
Daguan Park also features classical garden buildings constructed since the twenty-ninth year of the Kangxi era (1690 AD). Among these are the Huapu Square Octagonal Through-heart Double-eaved Gatehouse, the Cuigeng Hall with single-eaved gabled windows adorned with carvings, the Guanjia Hall, and the Chengbi Hall. The park also boasts unique structures like the Mudream Pavilion, the Yinyue Pavilion, and a lakeside corridor. These traditional buildings not only reflect the architectural style of the Qing Dynasty but also embody the characteristics of Yunnan’s local ethnic architecture, serving as a showcase of Qing Dynasty garden architecture in Yunnan Province.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 7.00 – 19.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0871-68240124 |
Location and Transportation
Daguan Park is located at No. 284 Daguan Road, Xishan District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, on the north side of Dianchi Lake. To get there, you can take bus 97, 143, 166, or C8, and get off at Wujiadui Village Stop (五家堆村站).
