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Kunming, capital of Yunnan province, is the political, economic, communications and cultural center of the province. Located in the middle of the Yunnan Guizhou Plateau, Kunming covers an area of 21,501 square kilometers, and has a population of more than 4.95 million. Kunming, with its perpetual spring-like weather which provides the ideal climate for plants and flowers, is known as the "City of Spring". Kunming is among the first group of famous historical and cultural cities and one of the top tourist cities in China. Thanks to its pleasant climate, spectacular plateau scenry, time-honored history, unique ethnic customs, and unusual plants and animals, Kunming attracts domestic and foreign tourists all the year round. As the tourism center of Yunnan Province, Kunming has convenient transportation facilities. From the city, tourists can go easily to famous tourist attractions such as Dali, Lijiang and Shangrila. Garden of the Word Horticulture Exposition Located in the northern suburbs of Kunming, the Garden of the World Horticulture Exposition is six kilometers from Kunming proper. From May 1 to October 31, 1999, the Chinese Government successfully held the '99 Kunming World Horticulture Exposition here, with the theme of "Man and Nature -Marching Toward the 21st Century". In the garden, visitors can see excellent gardening and horticultural works from all over China and foreign countries. All the horticultural works in the garden concentrate on the theme of "Man and Nature", with pavilions, towers, terraces, banks, islets and bridges adding radiance and beauty to each other. Yunnan Ethnic Village Beside the Dianchi Lake, the ethnic village is eight kilometers from the city proper, and faces the Western Hill Forest Park across the lake. This scenic spot was open to the public in February 1992. According to the plan, 26 ethnic minority villages will be constructed . Until today 13 villages of the Dai, bai, Yi, naxi, Va, Blang, Lahu,Jino, Hani, Tibetan, Jinpo, De'ang and Zhuang ethnic groups have been built up, in addition to the Ethnic Unity Square, Ethnic Song and Dance Hall, Water Scenery Garden, the laser water screen, and Dianchi Spots. Dianchi Lake Dianchi Lake, also known as the Kunming Lake or Kunming Pond, is the largest lake on the plateau in Yunnan province. It enjoys a reputation of being the ¡°Bright Pearl on the Plateau.¡±Standing at Longmen of Western Hill, visitors can have a panoramic view of the scenic lake. Taking a boat tour in the vast expanse of the Dianchi lake, tourists can appreciate the Western Hill Forest park, Avalokitesvara Hill, Baiyukou, Grand View Tower, Haigeng Park, Yunnan Ethnic Village, Zheng He Parkm and other scenic spots. Golden Hall Scenic Zone On the Mingfeng Hill in the northern suburbs of Kunming, the Golden Hall Scenic Zone is eight kilometers from Kunming. Constructed in 1602 (the 30th year of the Wanli reign period of the Ming Dynasty), the Golden Hall is the main architecture in the scenic zone, and all of its beans, pillars, arches, doors, windows, tiles, Buddhist statues, and horizontal inscribed boards are made of copper, weighing more than 200 tons. With a well-knit structure, it is the largest copper building in China.