Kunming
Yunnan Military Academy Museum: free entry, hours and how to get there
A mustard-yellow parade-ground complex on the west side of Green Lake. It trained officers from 1909 to 1935, and Zhu De and Ye Jianying are among its best-known students. It suits readers of modern Chinese history and anyone already at Green Lake.
- Entry
- Free
- Opening hours
- 09:00–17:00; closed Mondays
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- How to book
- Reservation may be required on holidays; bring passport
- Children
- Free
- Seniors
- Free
Free
Prices checked October 2026.
How to get there
- Metro Line 3 from Dongfeng Square to Panjiawan (潘家湾), then walk about 1.2 km toward Green Lake.
- Metro Line 5 to Huashan West Road (华山西路), Exit B, then walk about 1 km.
- Buses 100, 101, 124, 133, 235 or Z5 to Science Museum (科技馆), about 150 m from the entrance at 翠湖西路22号.
Before you go
- Booking rules are unclear. Sources differ on whether you must reserve ahead, and we could not confirm passport booking, so bring your passport and ask staff if you get stuck.
- Arrive early enough. Sources give last entry as 16:00 or 16:30, so aim to be there by 15:30.
- It closes on Mondays, except on public holidays. Plan around that if you are doing the Green Lake loop.
- The main building, auditorium and arsenal survive, and the site covers about 70,000 square meters. Allow time to walk the grounds as well as the exhibits.
Who should skip it
Skip it if modern Chinese military history does not interest you.
Close by, same day
- Green Lake Park · Free
- Yuantong Temple · US$1 ¥6
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.