[New Yunnan Notes] Kunming Old Street’s Living Cultural Icons: A Dialogue Between History and the Present

Number of days: 4 days
Time: February
Updated: 2025.04.03

[New Yunnan Notes] Kunming Old Street: A Living Cultural Icon and a Dialogue Between History and the Present

South of the colorful clouds, charming Yunnan, every inch of land is filled with stories, and Kunming Old Street is undoubtedly a shining and legendary chapter. It is a poem engraved by time and a soulful place not to be missed on a trip to Kunming.

After leaving Black Dragon Pool Park, I caught a taxi and headed for the old street I had longed to visit, Nie Er's former residence. The driver smiled and said, "We can only take you to the street entrance. The old street is pedestrianized, and cars can't enter." Along the way, I chatted with the driver about Nanping Street, and he enthusiastically explained, "Nanping Street and Zhengyi Street are very close, both in the same area." About forty minutes later, I arrived at the old street entrance.

The scene before me unfolds like a nostalgic scroll. Surrounded by quaint and elegant buildings, the vibrant atmosphere of the Spring Festival still lingers in the air, and the bustle of people teems with the life-like hustle and bustle of life.

Kunming Old Street is a unique project in China named after an entire block, and it's the last remaining historic district in Kunming. Guanghua Street, Wenming Street, Jingxing Street, Qianwang Street, Wenmiao Street, and Yongdao Street... six streets and ten alleys, like a web, connect countless past times. Numerous residential buildings and time-honored businesses from the Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China remain here. Every brick, stone, and wooden door whispers stories of the past, like a living history book.

Stepping into the old street is like stepping into the long river of history. The oldest buildings here are nearly 900 years old, standing quietly, witnessing the passing of dynasties and the passage of time. The posthouses and schoolhouses of the late Qing Dynasty were once gathering places for scholars to compose poetry; the villas and mansions of the Republican era witnessed the vicissitudes of the wealthy merchants.

Guanghua Street, stretching 435 meters from Zhengyi Road in the east to Wuyi Road in the west, is the last surviving vestige of Kunming's ancient charm. Here, you can savor authentic small-scale rice noodles, discover Yunnan antiques in a dazzling array of shops, and experience the rich heritage of centuries-old herbal medicine shops. Named after the victory of the Xinhai Revolution, it symbolizes brightness and rejuvenation, and has silently witnessed Kunming's profound changes in modern times.

Yongdao Street, the birthplace of Kunming's earliest flower and bird market. Many of the vendors who sold flowers, birds, fish, and insects under tin sheds in the 1980s have now returned with upgraded wares. Jingxing Street is always bustling with locals and tourists alike, shopping and strolling. Here, one can always find quirky finds, carrying childhood memories for Kunming residents and offering endless surprises to foreign visitors. Qianwang Street is a passionate collision of fashion and history. Starbucks and British electronic music bars nestled in old houses sit side by side with artisan boutiques, creating a unique atmosphere. I followed the navigation and arrived at Nie Er's former residence on Yongdao Street. Built in the 10th year of the Guangxu reign, this two-story building, though small, holds extraordinary significance. Nie Er, the composer of the national anthem, was born here, and his childhood story has captured the hearts of countless music lovers. The first floor housed the Chengchuntang medical clinic run by Nie Er's parents, while the second floor served as the family's living quarters. The former residence houses relics from Nie Er's early years, including manuscripts and musical instruments. Visitors can glimpse into his life and experience his formative years, inspiring them to pursue their dreams. A sign at the entrance reads, "Travel through time and sing for the motherland with Nie Er," offering a place for photos.

In Kunming's Old Street, history and modernity blend seamlessly. Quaint buildings, winding cobblestone streets, a patchwork of traditional wooden houses, and mottled walls tell of the city's rich history. Every old house and every brick holds secrets of time.

The Memorial Hall of the Victory of the Anti-Japanese War formerly housed the Yunnan-Guizhou Governor's Office during the Qing Dynasty. Construction began in 1945, initially named "Zhigong Hall," then "Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall." Upon completion in 1946, it was named "Anti-Japanese War Victory Memorial Hall." This palace-style building, a fusion of Chinese and Western styles, boasts a rigorous structure. The central hall is shaped like a fighter plane. Together with Yunrui Park, which spans Guanghua Street outside the south gate, and the wine cup towers flanking Yunrui East and West Roads, they form a golden cup of wine and a garland, symbolizing the joy of victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. It is a landmark historical monument in Kunming. Its architectural style incorporates traditional hip-and-gable roofs with tiled roofs, Qing-style brackets, painted frame beams, and white stone railings, imbued with a rich ethnic flavor.

The Yunnan People's Heroes Monument stands quietly in the heart of Kunming. In December 1950, the Kunming Municipal People's Congress laid the cornerstone in the center of Shengli Hall Square, and the monument was completed in 1995. The monument stands 27 meters tall, square, and has a two-story base, beneath which is housed the Yunnan People's Heroes Memorial Exhibition Hall. The relief carvings on the four walls of the monument's base vividly depict the struggles of the Yunnan people. The front panel features "Celebrating Liberation," depicting the triumphant reunion of the Yunnan People's Revolutionary Armed Forces and the People's Liberation Army Field Corps, the liberation of Yunnan, and the grand ceremony of entering Kunming. The east panel features "The National Protection Army Swears in to Battle," recreating the heroic scene of the National Protection Army generals swearing in battle in Kunming. The west panel features "The Battle of Yuwang Mountain," depicting the bravery of Yunnan Army soldiers in stopping the Japanese invaders in the Battle of Taierzhuang. The north panel features "The Patriotic Teachers and Students Parade in Kunming during the December 1st Movement," recreating the demonstrations of patriotic teachers and students in Kunming against Chiang Kai-shek's dictatorship, civil war, and democracy. The Guanghua Street Wine Cup Building, also known as the Paper Building, is a landmark curved building in Kunming, designed by the renowned architect Li Hua.

The Guanghua Street Wine Cup Building, also known as the Paper Building, is a landmark curved building in Kunming, designed by the renowned architect Li Hua. These two three-story sister buildings, symmetrically arranged along Yunrui East and Yunrui West Roads, flank Shengli Hall and seamlessly integrate with it. They showcase superb design and architectural techniques, embodying a quintessential blend of East and West, tradition and modernity. Their shape, resembling a wine glass, symbolizes "double cups to celebrate victory." Some say they resemble tall wine glasses, but I see them more as a curved wall, connecting history with the present and the future. This is not only a photogenic spot but also a testament to the vibrant atmosphere of the old street. Simply capturing an empty scene is incredibly difficult.

The restored Republican-style buildings lining Victory Square, with Guanghua Street directly in front, symbolize the restoration of China and embody profound revolutionary significance and the glory of victory.

Kunming's Old Streets boast many more iconic elements. The former site of the All-China Federation of Trade Unions bears witness to the arduous struggles of the working class. Fulin Hall, founded by Li Yuqing in the seventh year of Emperor Xianfeng's reign in the Qing Dynasty, was named after the saying, "A skilled practitioner of the apricot forest brings blessings to all directions." A new building was constructed on the original site in 1902. Later, due to the construction of Wenming New Street, it was renovated into a three-story, earthenware structure with a fan-shaped gable roof and single-eaved, five-bay, "eight-sided wind" design. The first-floor main hall serves as a passageway, enclosed on both sides by sill walls and windows. The exterior wall of the second-floor main hall is inscribed with the words "Yunnan Medicinal Garden, Fulin Hall." The doorposts feature a pharmaceutical motto: "Taoist methods for preparing raw and cooked medicinal pieces, meticulous craftsmanship for the preparation of pills, powders, pastes, and elixirs." The hangings and hanging flower columns under the eaves are intricately carved and colorful, reflecting distinct industry and local characteristics. Fulintang is a prominent representative of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Yunnan and Kunming. Designated a "China Time-honored Brand" in 1994, it has witnessed the development of TCM in Southwest China.

Nanping Pedestrian Street covers a total area of 30,700 square meters and boasts 112 protected cultural relics and various historical buildings. Every brick and tile on this old street preserves the memories and sentiments of Kunming residents. As a national historical and cultural district and a provincial cultural industry demonstration base, it is the only district in Kunming that retains its intact historical features.

Kunming Old Street blends modernity and classicism, creating a pedestrian street that feels both ancient and modern. Like a "living museum," it carries Kunming's urban memories, showcasing the interweaving of past and present, history and life, and the fusion of tradition and modernity. A stroll through it reveals not only the sights and stories, but also the cultural heritage and spiritual nourishment. It is a unique cultural symbol of Kunming, attracting countless people to explore its charm.

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This is the most popular check-in spot, so you have to queue up to take photos.

In Kunming's Old Street, every step is leisurely, every cultural monument is full of atmosphere, and always offers unexpected surprises. This land's blend of tradition and modernity, the dialogue between history and the present, constitutes the unique cultural heritage of the Spring City. Unfortunately, time was short, so I was unable to explore every corner. I can only look forward to revisiting it again.