32 kilometers from Kunming, the strongest county-level city in Yunnan, with cool summers, warm winters, and a low cost of living—ideal for living, traveling, and retirement!
Yunnan, with its romantic scenery of "wind, flowers, snow, and moon," and a climate that feels like spring all year round, has always been considered by most people in China as a prime travel destination and a place to retire.
When we focus on the Kunming-Dali region, we might not realize that the surrounding county cities are equally impressive. Not only do they boast breathtaking natural landscapes, but their urban infrastructure is also highly developed.
For example, Anning City.
01. Anning, the Most Powerful County-Level City in Yunnan
Anning, located 32 kilometers from Kunming, has long been regarded by Kunming residents as their "back garden."
Historically, it was known as "Tangchuan treasure land, Lianran golden square." Today, it is a National Civilized City and the most powerful county-level city in Yunnan.
As the only county-level city in Yunnan to be included in the list of the "Top 100 Comprehensive Strength Counties and Cities in China," it has been on the list for four consecutive years.
Anning is strategically located with excellent transportation links. It is situated in the core area of the central Yunnan urban cluster, with the Chengkun Railway, Chengkun Double Track, and Kunyu Line passing through it. Once the 7th, 8th, 9th, Anning Line, and Songming Line are planned and completed, it will take just 25 minutes to travel from the center of Anning to Kunming's downtown area.
Anning offers a lifestyle that fully embraces the Kunming urban circle.
In addition, Anning has a well-developed infrastructure, with wide and clean streets, charming little street garden views, and an abundance of greenery.
In 2020, Anning was also selected as a pilot city for comprehensive reform of the elderly care service industry in Yunnan Province.
02. Anning: Great for Shopping, Sightseeing, and Dining
Anning is home to a natural millennium-old hot spring, rich in trace elements, with water as green as jade. The famous traveler Xu Xiake once praised it, saying, "Of all the hot springs I have seen, the most in southern Yunnan, this spring is the best and must be bathed in."
Near the hot spring, there is a millennia-old site called the Cliff Carvings. These carvings, done by scholars of various dynasties, include inscriptions by famous historical figures like Yang Shen, who wrote "Do not forget to drink," and Yuan Jiagu, who wrote "The hometown of Yang Wenxiang," and Long Yun, who called it "The world's best hot spring."
There is also a pristine forest called Water God Peak, surrounded by green mountains, babbling streams, and lush greenery, resembling a forest from a Studio Ghibli film. It is perfect for hiking, playing in the water, camping, and picnicking.
Anning also boasts the scenic Tangchuan, a tributary of the Jinsha River. During spring, you can enjoy fields of rapeseed flowers, and in summer, there are sunflower fields, creating the "Golden Tangchuan" legend.
In addition, Anning has an ancient and quaint atmosphere, with places like Shijiang Academy, a century-old home that displays a traditional Chinese ambiance, where you can enjoy tea and books while listening to the wind.
Anning is also home to the quiet and peaceful Sanhe Temple, a treasure trove of history dating back to 1871, offering a serene atmosphere where noise and troubles are kept at bay.
There is also the Cao Xi Temple, built during the Song Dynasty in the Dali Kingdom, which embodies the Buddhist and Zen spirit of the area.
Anning is also a hidden food paradise, with countless street snacks offering large, delicious portions at affordable prices! Some must-try dishes include tofu flower rice noodles, pig intestine rice noodles, lotus white rice noodles, cold rice noodles, tapioca pudding, pickled radish, fried potatoes, spicy chicken, sour bamboo shoot chicken, and crispy pig's trotters in sour soup... all of which will satisfy your appetite.