A decades-old farmers' market in the southwestern Chinese city of Kunming has become a popular destination for tourists and locals, as it blends traditional commerce with modern aesthetics and regional culinary culture.
Originally established in 1997, the Daguan Zhuanxin Farmers' Market now hosts over 700 stalls and serves between 50,000 and 60,000 people daily. It not only offers traditional farm produces, but also local fruits, wild mushrooms, and seasonal vegetables, earning the name of a "living museum of Yunnan specialties" among visitors.
"There are a lot of products here. It's a really refreshing experience and full of surprises," said Feng Yunyao, a visitor from the neighboring province of Guandong.
In addition to fresh produce, the market has gained attention for its regional cuisine. Popular items include rice noodles, a local breakfast staple, as well as deep-fried beef, lotus root cakes, and papaya drinks.
"It's different from other trendy tourist destinations. It's more homely and much closer to everyday life," said Guo Wei, a visitor for Shandong, a northern Chinese province.
Through years of development, the market has evolved into a multi-functional farmers' market integrating agriculture, culture, tourism and retail, contributing to a more than 30 percent increase in foot traffic to surrounding commercial areas.
"Prioritizing public service is our true nature. We will continue to reserve prime locations for daily goods. While we develop tourism, we will also serve the public. We are planning to set up a service center and self-service luggage lockers, to enhance the consumer experience," said Wu Xianji, manager of the farmers' market.
Kunming’s historic farmers’ market draws crowds as trendy food, cultural hub
