Haigeng Park (海埂公园) stretches approximately 2.5 kilometers from east to west and 200 meters from north to south, covering an area of 750 acres. Established in the early 1960s, it is situated in the southern outskirts of Kunming City, along the eastern shore of Dianchi Lake. This picturesque park is a prime attraction of Dianchi Lake, boasting scenic wonders and recreational amenities. Visitors can explore pavilions, stone boats, the Sea-view Corridor, lush green lawns, cherry blossom forests, luxurious yachts, and leisure squares. Thousands of seagulls migrate from Siberia during the winter and spring, adding to the park’s allure. The seamless blend of natural landscapes and cultural attractions makes Haigeng Park a captivating destination for visitors seeking both tranquility and recreation.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Haigeng Park
- Vlog about Haigeng Park
- Attractions near Haigeng Park
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | Free |
| Opening Hours | 24 hours a day throughout the year |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0871-64311627 0086-0871-64311056 |
Location and Transportation
Haigeng Park is situated in the southern outskirts of Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, along the shores of Dianchi Lake. It is approximately 10 kilometers away from the city center. The park’s specific address is 1318 Dianchi Road, Xishan District, Kunming City. To get there, you can take bus 183, 264, or K50 and get off at Haigeng Park North Gate Stop (海埂公园北门站).
Highlights of Haigeng Park
The Dyke Crossing the Sea
“Hai Geng,” meaning “the dyke crossing the sea,” originally refers to a wedge-shaped embankment that traverses Dianchi Lake from east to west. Stretching from Haigeng Village in the east to the foot of Xishan Mountain in the west, it spans 5 kilometers with a width varying from 60 to 300 meters, effectively dividing the vast expanse of Dianchi Lake into two sections: the expansive lake to the south and the “Sea of Grass” to the north.
Haigeng naturally forms four major scenic areas: the eastern part houses the National Winter Sports Training Base, the central area features a gently sloping sandy beach for sunbathing and recreation, while the western section serves as a park for leisurely strolls and fishing, offering panoramic views of the lake and Xishan Mountain. To the north lies a marshy area designated for recuperation and tourism, featuring attractions such as Goldfish Lake, Hundred Flowers Garden, ethnic villages, and several resort-style holiday villages nestled amidst lush greenery.
Legends of Dianchi Lake
Legend has it that long ago, the area where Kunming now stands was a dry land. A handsome hunter left his newlywed wife behind and embarked on a journey across mountains and rivers to seek water sources from the East Sea. Along the coast, he encountered a hawk carrying a small red fish. The hunter swiftly shot down the hawk with his bow and arrow, rescuing the fish. It turned out that the small red fish was the third princess of the East Sea Dragon King. Admiring the hunter’s bravery, the princess offered to marry him. However, the hunter, longing for his wife back home, managed to escape the dragon king’s clutches and filled himself with fresh water before returning to Kunming. Sadly, upon his return, he found that his wife had died from longing for him, and she transformed into the Sleeping Beauty Mountain. Overwhelmed with grief, the hunter spat out the water from his belly, crashing into the mountain and transforming into Dianchi Lake.
Variety of Trees
Upon entering the park, visitors are greeted by two interconnected century-old eucalyptus trees. One stands tall and straight, while the other curves gracefully, resembling a devoted couple gazing out over Dianchi Lake. Additionally, the park is adorned with numerous willow trees, which have a long history and are abundant in number. In spring, the willow trees burst into vibrant green foliage, creating a picturesque scene with their swaying branches and fluttering willow catkins filling the air. The park becomes a lively and rejuvenating oasis amidst the tranquility of nature.
In the morning from 8 to 9, the seagulls are quite active. After 9:30, they no longer come to shore and fly far away. By 10 o’clock, there are basically no seagulls left.
If you want to photograph seagulls, I recommend going to the Haihong Wetland (海洪湿地) in the afternoon.
I rushed to Dianchi Lake to feed the red-billed gulls and encountered a cloudy day. At 10 AM, I headed straight to Haigeng Park. There were still plenty of red-billed gulls around, but on the way back, I passed by Haigeng Dam and it seemed like there weren’t many birds there. Each spot had different times when the gulls concentrated.
Winter romance in Kunming would be incomplete without the seagulls. The downside was that the weather kept switching between sunny and cloudy, and the wind was incredibly strong. If you want to take photos, it’s best to go early; in the afternoon, it’s crowded, making it difficult to avoid the people. Also, remember to keep warm!
The off-peak season is great because you don’t have to deal with crowds, allowing you to truly enjoy the scenery. The view of Dianchi Lake is so beautiful that just taking a stroll here lifts your spirits.
I only spent one day in Kunming and I finally got to see the seagulls!
Haigeng Park is not very large, and you can only enjoy a small part of Dianchi Lake. The scenery is not as beautiful as I had imagined. I wouldn’t recommend taking the self-driving car for 59 yuan for 30 minutes; first, it’s extremely slow, only reaching a speed of 5 kilometers per hour, and second, the park is small, so it really isn’t necessary.
The park is now very well-built, with lush greenery and cleanliness. Taking a stroll along the park’s pathways, enjoying the beautiful scenery of Dianchi Lake, and watching the occasional water birds and seagulls circling overhead is truly relaxing. There are also various campsites and recreational facilities within the park, making it convenient to take a break and enjoy a refreshing drink when feeling tired.
Hiking Route:
– Start from Haigeng Park (海埂公园)
– Haohong Wetland Park (海洪湿地公园)
– Wangguan Wetland Park (王官湿地公园)
– Dounan Wetland Park (斗南湿地公园)
– Laoyu River Wetland Park (捞鱼河湿地公园)
– Haijing Village (海景村)