Haigeng Dam is back, and I really don’t recommend going in October because it’s just too amazing.

Kunming Haigeng Dam Guide🌊 A healing journey facing Dianchi Lake and seagulls

If Dianchi Lake is the soul of Kunming, then Haigeng Dam is the best window to touch that soul✨. This long dam built along the lake has one side shimmering with the "Pearl of the Plateau," and the other side features the layered Western Hills Sleeping Beauty. In winter, thousands of red-billed gulls circle above, while in spring and summer it is wrapped in greenery and floral fragrance. Every snapshot looks like a naturally filtered healing scene.

📍 Key Information at a Glance

- Address: Guanjing Road, Xishan District, Kunming City, Yunnan Province (East Bank of Dianchi Lake)
- Admission: Free entry🆓, no charge for feeding gulls, walking, or sightseeing
- Opening Hours: Open all day; the best time to see gulls is from November to March, other seasons are suitable for leisure and relaxation

🚇 Direct Transportation Guide

- Metro: Take Line 5 to Dam Station Exit A, then transfer to the weekend and holiday seagull shuttle (runs every 10 minutes from 9:00 to 17:00) directly to the parking lot; or go to Linhaigeng Road Exit A and use a shared bike for more flexibility
- Bus: Routes 103, 154, 171, etc. go directly to the "Haigeng Dam" stop, get off and you are at the dam entrance
- Self-driving: Navigate to Haigeng Dam parking lot; parking is tight during gull season, so it’s recommended to arrive early or prioritize public transportation

🏨 Accommodation Choices to Save Time

1. Lakeview Immersion: Yuntian Huayuan Hotel near the dam, some rooms have balconies facing Dianchi Lake, a 5-minute walk to the dam, where you can enjoy a quiet lake view in the early morning
2. Cost-effective Option: Chain hotels in the Dianchi Weicheng area, a 10-minute drive away, with complete nearby shopping and supermarkets, much cheaper than prime lakeview rooms, suitable for budget travelers

🍜 Food and Snack List That Won’t Disappoint

- Energy Boost for Gull Watching:
- Freshly Grilled Milk Fan: A signature roadside snack, soft grilled milk fan drizzled with rose sauce, the milky aroma mixed with floral fragrance is super healing
- Yunnan Small Pot Rice Noodles: An old shop near the dam entrance, sour soup flavor is appetizing and warming, add extra toppings for more flavor
- Authentic Main Meals:
- Xixiang Restaurant: Right next to the dam, with an antique-style environment overlooking Dianchi Lake, signature dishes include straw hat braised chicken and crispy dry chili pork belly, with fresh and solid ingredients
- Xuanwei Pig Slaughter Rice: A very cost-effective Yunnan flavor restaurant, you can taste various Yunnan regional flavors in one stop with passion fruit black fish slices and Pu’er vegetable fried ham
- Congshuiju: Focuses on organic ingredients, the copper pot stewed chicken from Northeast Yunnan has a rich and mellow broth, and you can cook fresh pea shoots after drinking the soup
- Dessert and Drink Surprises:
- Grain Fragrant Rice Milk: A specialty drink in the restaurant, naturally fragrant and thick rice soup, refreshing and healthy
- Freshly Squeezed Juice: Mango and pineapple juices from roadside stalls are freshly cut and squeezed, sweet and sour, perfectly matching the lakeside breeze

⚠️ Important Notes

1. Feed gulls with special gull feed only; bread causes digestive problems for gulls. Also, avoid chasing or scaring them excessively
2. The best time to feed gulls is from 8 to 10 a.m., when gulls are most active and it’s easier to capture interactive photos
3. The dam is windy and has large temperature differences in winter; even if the sun is out at noon, bring a thick jacket to avoid catching a cold
4. Weekends during gull season are very crowded; to avoid the rush, choose weekdays or go after 5 p.m. to also capture the spectacular scene of gulls returning to their nests
5. Swimming and fishing are prohibited at the dam; the lakeside trail is narrow, so be mindful of pedestrians when taking photos and keep your belongings safe