Old streets and alleys, with their blue bricks and gray tiles, are filled with the passage of time.

Kunming hides a poetic world of blue bricks and gray tiles! A guide to exploring historic architecture around the Dilianya Hotel🏮 Guests staying at the Dilianya Hotel, don’t just focus on the trendy hotspots! Within a 10-15 minute walk or bike ride, you’ll discover several charming old neighborhoods with blue bricks and gray tiles. Walking on the cobblestone paths on a rainy day feels like stepping into an ink-wash painting. 🖤 Jingxing Street Alley Just a couple of turns from the hotel, this street is lined with brick-and-wood houses from the late Qing and early Republic periods. The sloping roofs covered in gray tiles curve with the weight of time, and clumps of moss peek out from the cracks in the walls. In the afternoon, sunlight slants across the carved door lintels as elderly women sit by their doorsteps sewing shoe soles—time seems to slow down here. At the corner, a 30-year-old bamboo weaving shop displays baskets and winnowing trays that perfectly complement the gray walls, making it a fantastic spot for vintage-style photos! 🖤 Victory Hall of the War of Resistance A 10-minute walk leads you to this red landmark, but the surrounding side streets hold delightful surprises! Neat rows of bluish-gray brick walls are adorned with bougainvillea branches, creating a striking contrast between red and gray. At dusk, the setting sun gilds the tiled eaves, and standing at the alley entrance, you can capture the upturned rooflines against the blue sky—pure ancient charm! 🖤 Around Oriental Bookstore Less than a kilometer from the hotel, this century-old bookstore is a quintessential example of blue-brick architecture. Venture into the alleys behind it to find authentic old Kunming residences: weathered gray-tiled roofs, wooden lattice windows pasted with old newspapers, and stone stools by the doorways. Sitting on any of the stone steps feels like being in a period drama. Wear a simple qipao or linen dress to explore—the blue bricks and gray tiles make the perfect backdrop, and you’ll look effortlessly photogenic without even trying. After strolling, return to the Dilianya Hotel to relax, where modern comfort seamlessly blends with ancient poetry. What a delightful Kunming trip!