The area was first dubbed Kunming in the period towards the decline of the Yuan dynasty and later still in 1832 , the beginnings of a real city were acknowledged within the city walls and significant structures within their confines . Founding of the city can , therefore be said to have been a predominantly 19th century affair . It was also in this century that the city grew to become the major market and transport centre for the region . Many of the city 's inhabitants were displaced as a result of the 1833 Kunming earthquake
1833 Kunming earthquake
1833 Kunming earthquake
Kunming