Kunming
Haigeng Dam (Dianchi Lake): free entry, hours and how to get there
A long lakeside promenade on Dianchi Lake facing the Western Hills. From November to March, thousands of black-headed gulls gather here. Winter is the reason to come. The rest of the year it is simply a lake walk.
- Entry
- Free
- Extras
- Bike rental (per hour) (to confirm)
- Opening hours
- Open 24 hours
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- How to book
- No booking needed
- Children
- Free
- Seniors
- Free
Free, open 24 hours. Best Nov–Mar for black-headed gulls.
Prices checked October 2026.
How to get there
- Metro Line 5 to Yinghai Road (迎海路), Exit A, then walk about 1.3 km along Yinghai Road. From Dongfeng Square, take Line 3 to Wuyi Road and change.
- Do not get off at Daba (大坝), which is more than 3 km from the dam, unless you are boarding the free gull bus.
- A free gull bus ran last season from Daba and Yinghai Road stations. It will run again in 2026-27, but days and times were not published when we checked.
- Bus 94 or 171 to the Guanjing Road (观景路) stops.
Before you go
- The feeding window is about 9:00 to 11:00. For gulls in low light, come from about 15:00 to 17:00. Be there by 9, before the lakeside road jams.
- Feed only on land, and buy approved feed. Never throw it into the water.
- Shared bikes have no return points on Guanjing Road. Park at Hongta West Road and Yinghai Road, then walk the last stretch.
- Avoid driving on winter weekends. Parking is limited, and police have used one-way controls here. Nearby Haigeng Park also has phased construction.
Who should skip it
Skip it from April to October if the gulls are your only reason to come.
Close by, same day
- Yunnan Ethnic Villages · US$13 ¥90
- Western Hills & Dragon Gate · US$4.5 ¥30
- Grand View Tower (Daguan Park) · Free
Going to several of these?
Tell us which sights and when. We’ll tell you what needs booking ahead and what’s worth skipping, and book the tickets that need a Chinese app.