Today I renewed my annual pass to the Kunming Expo Garden Park (昆明世博园旅游区).

It is located in the northeast part of the city near Golden Temple Park. I like to walk there to get away from traffic and exhaust fumes, see the flowers, and also to walk between the two parks.

Entrance fee for one visit is outrageous at 100rmb, but residents and foreigners can get a deal by paying 158rmb for an entire year with unlimited visits.

Each year the park offers a low priced pass for a limited time, this year from March 8 to 12.

They told me these dates were chosen in honor of International Women's Day (三八妇女节). After March 12 the annual pass goes up to 300rmb.

To get the pass go to the ticket counter, pay the fee and take the receipt to a nearby desk, where they take your photo on the spot and print the card.

Bring passport or Chinese ID.

I paid 138rmb which is the price for a renewal.

I walk two or three times a month, and my effective price per visit around 5 rmb.

The info above is summarized on a sign at the photo/card table:
世博园付惠年卡办理时间2017年3月8日到3月12日。新办卡158元，老卡换新卡138元。本人携带身份证或老卡可直接照相取卡，他人代办需携带办证人员身份证复印件或老卡以及照片一张。

While walking in the northern part of the park I noticed new construction, irksome as it prevented me from entering the woods with some of my favorite walks.

Signage indicated construction of a water park.

Not sure if that means lagoons or water slides.

Thank you for the post - Great info to pass on!

Sounds great. I'm heading off there now.

GoK: Any chance of adding opening times, prices etc to the Listing for Expo Gardens?

Got it. Great tip @kc430. Thank you.

Other threads have noted extra security measures round about. Got a hint of that even with the annual pass at the park.

Chinese nationals (but not foreigners) must supply two visa photos. One is mounted into a book kept by the park, the other returned to the individual.

Then you have to wait 15 days before returning for the actual pass. I assume the interim is used for some kind of ID/background check. You bring back the second photo to prove its you (plus the payment receipt and old pass if it's a renewal).

I was able to renew the pass for my Chinese wife even though she was out of town. Required: the old pass, photocopy of Chinese identity card (they need the ID number), her phone number, two visa photos, payment. Will return after 15 days with photo, old pass, and receipt of payment to get the pass card.

Interesting, the process more onerous for Chinese than laowai. The difference: Chinese need visa photos and waiting period. Foreigner, no photos, no waiting.