Kunming in Yunnan Province, China, is a runner's dream! The city has broad, uncluttered sidewalks and bike lanes, safe street crossings, and beautiful scenery. Everywhere is a good place to run. We ran several routes through the city, but the route explained here was one of our favorites. The GPS mapping data on both Garmin and Map My Run is wonky (thanks, Baidu), so I'll explain instead. It's a straightforward out-and-back route. 

We started near Zhuantang Park (at the major intersection of Xichang Road and Daguan Street, just past the Walmart; accessible via bus and metro), running down Daguan Street along the creekside until we reached the entrance of Grand View Park. At the ticket office of Grand View Park, take the small side road on the right side. It looks like an alleyway with no sidewalk and high walls. Keep going several hundred meters. Where the road veers to the right, there is a dirt path just beyond a couple of camouflage-painted vehicle barriers. Take the dirt path, which runs along a creek and landscaped tropical gardens. There is also an abandoned amusement park. The dirt path terminates at the lakefront, where you can then loop back the way you came. 

A Few Course Photos