Spring City Mountain Course
Jack Nicklaus opened the Mountain Course at Spring City in 1998 above Yang Zonghai Lake near Kunming, a par 72 of 7,217 yards that tumbles down the hillside with sweeping lake views and is rated among the very best in China.
Photo: Spring City Golf & Lake Resort via Google.
The verdict
The Mountain Course at Spring City Golf and Lake Resort opened in 1998 as a Jack Nicklaus design, set on the forested slopes above Yang Zonghai Lake about an hour from Kunming in Yunnan province. A par 72 of 7,217 yards, it uses the dramatic elevation of the site, with tees perched high on the hillside and fairways spilling down toward the lake far below.
Our verdict: at around 2,000 metres of altitude the ball flies, the climate is mild year round, and the views are some of the most spectacular in Asian golf. China Golf Digest has rated it the second best course in the country and Asian Golf Monthly has called it the best in China, and a round here paired with the resort's Lake Course makes Kunming a genuine golf destination worth the trip.
Spring City Mountain Course at a glance
- Opened
- 1998
- Designer
- Jack Nicklaus
- Type
- Mountain resort
- Par
- 72
- Yardage
- 7,217 yds
- Green fee
- From ~CNY 1,880
Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026 against Nicklaus Design, GolfPass and leading course databases. The Mountain Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1998, a par 72 of 7,217 yards. Indicative green fees run roughly CNY 1,880 to 2,180 for 18 holes in 2026 and change by season and package; always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
The holes worth the trip
Nicklaus routed the Mountain Course down a steep, wooded hillside, so elevation is the defining feature: many tee shots are played from high platforms with the fairway dropping away and Yang Zonghai Lake glittering beyond. The thin air at altitude adds carry, but the slopes and the wind off the lake make club selection a genuine puzzle.
The par 3 eighth is the signature hole, a downhill one shotter framed by the lake and the mountains, while the par 4 eighteenth was voted one of the top 500 holes in the world by US Golf Magazine in January 2000, a dramatic closer that plays back up toward the clubhouse.
Throughout the round the contrast of forested slope, open sky and distant water gives the course a sense of scale rare in resort golf. Spring City rewards the player who trusts the extra yardage at altitude and stays patient on the downhill lies, and it gives back a round that feels like a mountain adventure as much as a game of golf.
How to get on
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Access | Resort and daily fee course; visitors and trip groups are welcome with advance booking through the resort |
| Green fee | Indicative from about CNY 1,880 to 2,180 for 18 holes in 2026; caddies and buggies typically included or extra by package |
| Booking | Reserve ahead through the resort or a China golf specialist; caddies are standard |
| On the day | Caddies and buggies are the norm on the steep terrain; smart golf attire expected; layer for cool mornings at altitude |
| Getting there | About an hour by road from Kunming and Kunming Changshui International Airport |
| Best months | March to November; Kunming's mild, spring like climate means golf is comfortable for much of the year |
Access and indicative fees verified June 2026 from the resort and China golf operators; rates change by season and package, so always confirm directly before booking.
Where to stay nearby
The natural base is Spring City Golf and Lake Resort itself, whose on site lodging and villas put both the Mountain and Lake courses on the doorstep, with the lake and mountains for a backdrop. It is built for a stay and play golf trip away from the city.
Many visitors combine the resort with a night or two in Kunming, the relaxed Yunnan capital known for its mild climate and access to the wider province. A resort base lets you play both Nicklaus and Robert Trent Jones Jr. courses across a single visit.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts near Spring City Mountain Course.
Build a Kunming golf trip
We book the Spring City tee times, pair the Mountain and Lake courses and arrange the resort stay around them. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Spring City Mountain Course questions
Who designed the Spring City Mountain Course and when did it open?
The Mountain Course at Spring City was designed by Jack Nicklaus and opened in 1998, on the hillside above Yang Zonghai Lake near Kunming in Yunnan, China.
What is the par and length of the Mountain Course?
The Mountain Course is a par 72 of 7,217 yards, a dramatic downhill mountain layout played at roughly 2,000 metres of altitude.
How much does it cost to play Spring City?
Indicative green fees run roughly CNY 1,880 to 2,180 for 18 holes in 2026 and vary by season and package. Always confirm the current rate directly before booking.
Can visitors play the Spring City Mountain Course?
Yes. Spring City is a resort and daily fee course that welcomes visitors and trip groups with advance booking, and caddies are standard on the steep terrain.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Tee time windows, course access changes and the trips worth taking. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Designer, opening year, par and yardage verified June 2026; indicative green fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.