The World Horticultural Expo Garden (Shiboyuan) is a 218-hectare international botanical garden complex left over from the World Horticultural Exposition in 1999.  While some of the exhibits are a bit outdated, and the land would be better used if converted into a park, the Expo Gardens are educational and provide a pleasant place to spend a sunny afternoon.  The entrance fee is 100 RMB  for adults, 50 RMB for students.  Plant and garden enthusiasts would most certainly enjoy a trip to the Expo Gardens.

There is a cable car in the gardens that will take you to Golden Temple for 15 RMB.

Near the north entrance inside the gardens is a golf driving range that includes one of the best Thai restaurants in China, Moonlight Corner Thai Cuisine.  You can avoid the entrance fee if you are coming to the Expo Gardens just for the Thai food (but this does not grant you access to the garden exhibits). The restaurant and driving range stay open in the evening, after the gardens close

How to get there:  The World Horticultural Expo Garden is located in northeast Kunming near the Golden Temple.  To get there, take bus number 10, 47, 68, 69, or 72 from various parts of the city.  A taxi from the downtown Kunming should cost 20 - 30 RMB.

Find it on the map