Cuihu & Whampoa Military Academy Scenic Area

Cuihu & Whampoa Military Academy Scenic Area

The Cuihu & Whampoa Military Academy Scenic Area is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction.

The Cuihu & Whampoa Military Academy Scenic Area is located in the central urban area of Kunming. It is a free public scenic spot composed of Cuihu Park and the Yunnan Whampoa Military Academy. Cuihu Park mainly offers natural scenery for visitors to enjoy, while the Whampoa Military Academy site focuses on showcasing the remnants of this renowned modern military institution and providing patriotic education. After exploring the scenic area, you'll find four streets surrounding Cuihu Park (East Cuihu Road, South Cuihu Road, West Cuihu Road, and North Cuihu Road) lined with specialty shops, cafés, and bars. You can either take a leisurely stroll around the lake for a relaxing afternoon or immerse yourself in the vibrant nightlife when evening falls.

Cuihu Park is situated at the western foot of Wuhua Mountain in downtown Kunming, covering an area of 22.1 hectares. It is a beautifully scenic park within the city. The history of Cuihu Park dates back to the Yuan Dynasty, when it was called “Caihaizi” (Vegetable Sea). Due to the nine springs on Bamboo Island to the east of the lake that converged into the pool, it was also known as “Jiulongchi” (Nine-Dragon Pool). The park features attractions such as the Fish-Viewing Pavilion, Lotus Zen Temple, Water-Moon Pavilion, Bamboo Island, Jiulongchi, and Southwest Island. Willow trees line the lakebanks, boats glide gently on the water, and lotus flowers sway; on land, palm trees, trident maples, weeping crabapples, and lush bamboo each display their unique charm. It is a popular leisure destination for the residents of Kunming. On September 25, 2002, Cuihu Park was opened to the public free of charge, attracting tens of millions of visitors annually since then.

The Yunnan Whampoa Military Academy is ranked alongside the Baoding Military Academy and the Whampoa Military Academy in Guangzhou as one of the three most prestigious military institutions in modern Chinese history. Established in 1909 and closed in 1935, it trained over 9,000 cadets during its operation. Among its distinguished alumni were prominent military leaders and commanders, including Zhu De and Ye Jianying—founding fathers of the People’s Republic of China—Choe Yong-gon, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea, and Lee Beom-seok, the founding Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of South Korea. The academy has thus been hailed as the “Cradle of Commanders,” where “stars of generals shone brightly and legendary officers emerged in great numbers.” The remaining site covers approximately 70,000 square meters, and its main building—a quadrangle compound—is a fine example of the seamless integration of Chinese and Western architectural styles from modern times.

Business Hours

8:00–22:00

Recommended Visiting Duration

About 1 hour