Kunmíng City Museum
Kunmíng City Museum
4
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
389 within 3 miles
YingHua Café
87
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • International
ChimThai Restaurant
96
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Asian • Thai • Vegetarian Friendly
KFC (Guomao)
4
0.2 miAmerican • Fast Food
Yun Yue Lou
56
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Yunnan • Vegetarian Friendly
JianXinYuan (Tuo East Road)
9
0.3 mi$
Camellia Chinese Restaurant
175
0.7 mi$$$$ • Chinese
Wildfire Restaurant
245
0.8 mi$$$$ • Steakhouse • Seafood • International
Atrium Café
217
0.8 miInternational • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options
YiKe Yin (ZhuangYuan)
2
0.4 miChinese • Yunnan
Teng ZhiWei
1
0.4 mi
Attractions
124 within 6 miles
Tournament boxing flower gardening Market
1
0.2 miShopping Malls
Zhenqingguan Ancient Building
5
0.2 miAncient Ruins • Architectural Buildings
KunMing ChengShi GuiHua ZhanLanGuan
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
Tuodong Sports Center
2
0.4 miArenas & Stadiums
Yuantong Temple
254
1.7 miHistoric Sites • Religious Sites
Kunming department Store
6
0.6 miShopping Malls
Green Lake (Cui Hu)
793
2.1 miBodies of Water • Parks
Nanping Business Street
122
1.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
Howard Center (Dongfeng East Road)
2
0.7 miShopping Malls
Yunnan Geological Museum
4
0.7 miScience Museums
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
44 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
18
Average
10
Poor
3
Terrible
0
ZhongguoKM
Kunming, China6,155 contributions
Jan 2013 • Solo
This opened in late December and I went over to have a look today. The museum is free and overall it's offerings are pretty limited. But the Flying Tiger exhibit is worth a stop if you are in Kunming and have some spare time.
The exhibit clearly outlines the history of this air group and its involvement in helping China defend against Japan. Lots of photos and some artifacts. Good maps. A short film (in Chinese) that summarizes America's involvement in helping get supplies across the Burma Hump. Kunming was the China end of those dangerous freight-hauling flights. Kunming was also one of the bases for the fighter planes that defended the Ledo/Stillwell Road.
Pleasant way to spend between one and two hours, especially if the weather isn't good and you want to do something indoors instead of outside. The museum is located on Tuodong Road very close to a bus stop. 市博物馆 is the Chinese name of that stop and the Chinese name of the museum (for taxi purposes) is 昆明市博物馆。 It's not to be confused with the Yunnan Museum in another part of town.
If you go, don't make the mistake of thinking the exhibit of drawings on the first floor is all there is to the Flying Tiger exhibit. Those are actually just illustrations from a book. The main exhibit is on the second floor.
The exhibit clearly outlines the history of this air group and its involvement in helping China defend against Japan. Lots of photos and some artifacts. Good maps. A short film (in Chinese) that summarizes America's involvement in helping get supplies across the Burma Hump. Kunming was the China end of those dangerous freight-hauling flights. Kunming was also one of the bases for the fighter planes that defended the Ledo/Stillwell Road.
Pleasant way to spend between one and two hours, especially if the weather isn't good and you want to do something indoors instead of outside. The museum is located on Tuodong Road very close to a bus stop. 市博物馆 is the Chinese name of that stop and the Chinese name of the museum (for taxi purposes) is 昆明市博物馆。 It's not to be confused with the Yunnan Museum in another part of town.
If you go, don't make the mistake of thinking the exhibit of drawings on the first floor is all there is to the Flying Tiger exhibit. Those are actually just illustrations from a book. The main exhibit is on the second floor.
Written January 13, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
JDB378
Stillwater, OK14 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
For an American WWII or aviation aficianado this is a must stop. Kunming was the home base for Chenault's flying tigers. Their place in the history of China and the US is better understood when one has seen the Chinese tribute!
Written April 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Larry Chambers
Phnom Penh, Cambodia62 contributions
Feb 2018 • Family
Very few American know the sacrifices that was made by Claire Chennault and his Flying Tigers group. General Chennault went to China in 1938 to help China fight the Japanese. Chennault was sent to Kunming, in western China to set up the Chinese Air Force and teach Chennault fighting techniques.
In May 1942, the only connection to the outside world was the Burma Road was cut off by Japanese. From May to Sept 1945 Hump flight transports flew 1.5 million hours and transported 725,000 tons of supplies. The Hump Flight Route extended 800 kilometers, passing through the Himalayas and Hengduan mountain range on the way to the south section of the Himalayan Mountains, there are towering peaks, deep valleys harsh and changeable climate. Plus ever present Japanese warplanes.
the ‘Flying Tigers,’ they would be the first American fliers to go up against Japan’s air force, which had previously ruled the skies over Thailand and Vietnam. These American volunteer pilots understood the risks and the consequences of being shot down or captured by the Japanese. Being captured meant being sent to one of the Japanese prison camps where prisoners were regularly beaten, starved, clubbed, shot, beheaded, or worked to death. The Japanese held the capture of U.S. pilots as one of their highest priorities.
After Pearl Harbor, Vietnam became the object of an intensive American air bombing campaign. The bombing of strategic Japanese targets in northern Vietnam started in 1942, first by the American Volunteer Group (AVG) the Flying Tigers, then by the China Air Task Force (CATF) of the Tenth Air Force, and later by the Fourteenth Air Force.
Four hundred and fourteen U.S. flyers died flying over Vietnam during World War II.
Statistically, within three years and 3 months Hump transportation China and US army had lost 609 planes in total. U.S. army had 456 planes crashing 107 lost which made a total 563 planes while the CNAC lost 46 planes. All together 1,500 pilots of both countries lost their lives flying the Hump route.
I found a photo of John Taylor Donovan on the wall of the exhibit. Donovan was the first of the ‘Tiger’ pilots to die over Vietnam, shot down on May 12th, 1942 during a bombing raid over Gia Lam air base.
In May 1942, the only connection to the outside world was the Burma Road was cut off by Japanese. From May to Sept 1945 Hump flight transports flew 1.5 million hours and transported 725,000 tons of supplies. The Hump Flight Route extended 800 kilometers, passing through the Himalayas and Hengduan mountain range on the way to the south section of the Himalayan Mountains, there are towering peaks, deep valleys harsh and changeable climate. Plus ever present Japanese warplanes.
the ‘Flying Tigers,’ they would be the first American fliers to go up against Japan’s air force, which had previously ruled the skies over Thailand and Vietnam. These American volunteer pilots understood the risks and the consequences of being shot down or captured by the Japanese. Being captured meant being sent to one of the Japanese prison camps where prisoners were regularly beaten, starved, clubbed, shot, beheaded, or worked to death. The Japanese held the capture of U.S. pilots as one of their highest priorities.
After Pearl Harbor, Vietnam became the object of an intensive American air bombing campaign. The bombing of strategic Japanese targets in northern Vietnam started in 1942, first by the American Volunteer Group (AVG) the Flying Tigers, then by the China Air Task Force (CATF) of the Tenth Air Force, and later by the Fourteenth Air Force.
Four hundred and fourteen U.S. flyers died flying over Vietnam during World War II.
Statistically, within three years and 3 months Hump transportation China and US army had lost 609 planes in total. U.S. army had 456 planes crashing 107 lost which made a total 563 planes while the CNAC lost 46 planes. All together 1,500 pilots of both countries lost their lives flying the Hump route.
I found a photo of John Taylor Donovan on the wall of the exhibit. Donovan was the first of the ‘Tiger’ pilots to die over Vietnam, shot down on May 12th, 1942 during a bombing raid over Gia Lam air base.
Written February 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Christopher L
NH97 contributions
Jun 2017 • Family
The museum was not far from where I was staying and it was my first experience in a Chinese Museum.
There were only two exhibits on the first floor. Kunming in the Bronze Age (Interesting.. do a bit or reading beforehand). Signs are in English and Chinese. And another one on Dinosaurs (Just Chinese) Movie is in English though.
There were two other halls for temp exhibits. Stamps when I was there. And Art 20 years after HongKong returned to the Motherland.
Upstairs there were a few different temp exhibits (kids art and chinese medicine).
And of course.. the Flying Tigers.
Great story. Great exhibit. If you are in Kunming.. go there and take the hour .. it is well worth your time.
Entrance is free to the museum.
Gift shop was closed when I went.
There were only two exhibits on the first floor. Kunming in the Bronze Age (Interesting.. do a bit or reading beforehand). Signs are in English and Chinese. And another one on Dinosaurs (Just Chinese) Movie is in English though.
There were two other halls for temp exhibits. Stamps when I was there. And Art 20 years after HongKong returned to the Motherland.
Upstairs there were a few different temp exhibits (kids art and chinese medicine).
And of course.. the Flying Tigers.
Great story. Great exhibit. If you are in Kunming.. go there and take the hour .. it is well worth your time.
Entrance is free to the museum.
Gift shop was closed when I went.
Written June 4, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
AllThatAsiaAfrica
503 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
For World War II history buffs, Kunming was the base for the famed "Flying Tigers" or AVG (American Volunteer Group. Kunming City Museum dedicates an entire wing of the building to this group of pilots.
On display is some of the equipment and clothing of the pilots as well as photos of old Kunming. A substantial portion of the display is dedicated to General Claire Lee Chennault who is still considered a great hero in China.
There is also a gift shop on the first floor that sells Flying Tigers Memorabilia.
On display is some of the equipment and clothing of the pilots as well as photos of old Kunming. A substantial portion of the display is dedicated to General Claire Lee Chennault who is still considered a great hero in China.
There is also a gift shop on the first floor that sells Flying Tigers Memorabilia.
Written January 16, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Peregrine426
Middlebury, VT53 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
Must see to understand WW II for US in China...particularly Kunming as a base for US Army Air Force. This museum provided considerable insight into the people and logistics and how the Chinese and US worked together in the war against Japan.
Written May 16, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
EZinn
Delaware, OH80 contributions
Mar 2016 • Family
The museum has several exhibits about ancient China (antiques, bronze etc) These do change from time to time. But the best exhibit is the Flying tigers exhibit.
it is quite a large collection of items and there is a lot of history. Many of the items have both Chinese and English on the signs. there is a video at the end.
It is free to get into so well worth the time to see some history.
it is quite a large collection of items and there is a lot of history. Many of the items have both Chinese and English on the signs. there is a video at the end.
It is free to get into so well worth the time to see some history.
Written April 19, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
VT2Krazystan
Guilin, China66 contributions
Jan 2016 • Family
You can easily see the entire museum in a morning or afternoon visit. The highlight of the museum was the Flying Tigers exhibit that was very well done. Any history buff will throughly enjoy it.
Written January 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Julia B
Daytona Beach, FL81 contributions
Jul 2015 • Family
The address may actually be 93 as the museum is across the street from 120 Tuodong Lu, on the south side of the street. It may have been confused with the museum of urban planning? 120 itself appears to be a small apartment building. We walked from the Green Lake and nearly missed it altogether.
We visited at 11 am in a Sunday and were some of the very few people there. Most of the temporary exhibition halls were empty. The bronze ware exhibit was good with good English captions. The permanent fan exhibit looked pretty interesting too, but lunch was calling.
The clear highlight for us (and our WWII enthusiast son) was the Flying Tigers exhibit. It's pretty well put together and has very good English captioning and many actual artifacts from the pilots.
Fun place to visit.
We visited at 11 am in a Sunday and were some of the very few people there. Most of the temporary exhibition halls were empty. The bronze ware exhibit was good with good English captions. The permanent fan exhibit looked pretty interesting too, but lunch was calling.
The clear highlight for us (and our WWII enthusiast son) was the Flying Tigers exhibit. It's pretty well put together and has very good English captioning and many actual artifacts from the pilots.
Fun place to visit.
Written July 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sherrie and Chris
Peterborough, Australia125 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
Free to enter this is a good museum, albeit not a lot in it. Main displays are the WWII Flying Tigers exhibit, which is excellent, a beautiful ceramics display, painted fans display and a good dinosaur exhibit. Many signs etc in English. Very quiet and gift shop was closed when we went.
Written April 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Kunmíng City Museum (Kunming) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Kunmíng City Museum
- Kunmíng City Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Kunmíng City Museum:
- (0.10 mi) Pod Inn Kuming Tuodong Gymnasium
- (0.15 mi) V Hotel Kunming 96
- (0.19 mi) Yaolong Hotel
- (0.20 mi) Jiyuan Apartment Hotel
- (0.26 mi) Green Land Hotel
- Restaurants near Kunmíng City Museum:
- (0.19 mi) KFC (Guomao)
- (0.77 mi) Wildfire Restaurant
- (0.46 mi) YingHua Café
- (0.82 mi) Atrium Café
- (0.74 mi) Camellia Chinese Restaurant