The Hidden Secret of Eastern Yunnan! Qujing’s Late Autumn Hidden Activities Are Here, All-In-One Mountain, Water, and Culture Experience!

While tourists flock to Dali and Lijiang in Yunnan, the savvy have quietly slipped into Qujing! This gateway to eastern Yunnan hides the crystal-clear waters and red mountains at the source of the Pearl River, 400-million-year-old ancient fish fossils, and the millennia-old Cuàn culture code. Keep this late autumn mountain and water culture guide handy to experience a uniquely Yunnan flavor!

✨ "Mountain and Water Wonders Checklist"
1️⃣ Zhanyi Pearl River Source Scenic Area
Chase the romance of the Pearl River’s very first drop! Golden autumn pine forests, crystal-clear blue lakes reflecting Yi villages, hike Ma Xiong Mountain following Xu Xiake’s footsteps, and snap a time-travel photo at the “One Drop of Water Crossing Three Rivers” boundary marker.

2️⃣ Luoping Jiulong Waterfall Group
Encounter the gentle autumn colors of the ten-tiered waterfalls! Unlike the wild summer flow, autumn waterfalls hang like silver ribbons. Take a bamboo raft close to the “First Waterfall of Jiulong,” where there’s a 90% chance of seeing a rainbow in the mist.

3️⃣ Luliang Colored Sand Forest
Enter a 3-million-year-old geological maze! Red, yellow, white, and green sand peaks shine even more brilliantly under the autumn sun. Wait until dusk to see the sand patterns form a natural ink painting in the slanting light—every shot looks like a scene from "Ghost Blows Out the Light."

4️⃣ Huize Nian Lake
The tranquil time before the return of the black-necked cranes! By late October, morning mist begins to settle on the lake, with dead trees, golden forests, and blue water composing a Monet-like canvas. Veteran photographers have already set up their gear, waiting for the November migratory bird flocks.

✨ "Cultural Code Unlock Guide"
1️⃣ Cuàn Culture Twin Stele Exploration
At Qujing No.1 High School, meet the “Southern Stele Treasure” Cuàn Baozi Stele, whose smooth and simple strokes record the evolution from clerical to regular script in Chinese characters. Then head to Luliang to see the towering Cuàn Longyan Stele and feel the millennium grandeur of the “Southern Border’s Unique Presence.”

2️⃣ Huize Ancient City Copper Merchant Memories
Walk on bluestone slabs into the Ming and Qing dynasty copper capital! The exquisite wood carvings of the Jiangxi Guild Hall tell the legendary stories of horse caravans. Don’t forget to drink a bowl of Pu’er tea brewed by Yi elders under the giant “Jiajing Tongbao” copper coin sculpture on the street.

3️⃣ Liaohu Ancient Village Pottery Revival
Handcraft wood-fired pottery in this thousand-year-old pottery town! Follow the intangible cultural heritage inheritor to throw clay from the Nanpan River on the wheel, carve Cuàn script characters into the cup bottoms, and after firing, receive a “time gift” mailed from the ancient village.

✨ "Autumn Limited Experiences"
▪️ Dàhǎi Cǎoshān Pasture Stroll
Gallop freely on 200,000 acres of golden meadows! At 3,600 meters altitude, the sea of clouds is within reach. Yi herders will teach you to weave grass grasshoppers, and at night, stay in starry sky tents waiting for the Milky Way to fall over the mountains.

▪️ Nizhu River Canyon Wild Adventure
Hike the secret realm beneath Asia’s highest bridge! The 700-meter drop twin waterfalls are even more refreshing in autumn. Ancient banyan trees on the cliffs bear wild kiwis, and lucky adventurers might find trilobite fossils.

▪️ Keyi Black Yi Bonfire Night
Ride a small train through colorful terraced fields! Learn the “Jumping Moon” dance by Crescent Spring, and when the bonfire lights up, gather with Yi sisters around the fire to feast on freshly roasted lamb legs.

Cultural Exploration Route: Day 1 Qujing City (Cuàn Stele + Museum) → Day 2 Liaohu Ancient Village (Pottery + Guangji Bridge) → Day 3 Huize Ancient City (Copper Coins + Confucian Temple)
Mountain and Water Leisure Route: Day 1 Pearl River Source + Keyi Black Yi → Day 2 Jiulong Waterfalls + Colored Sand Forest → Day 3 Nian Lake + Dàhǎi Cǎoshān

🚗 "Travel Tips"
✅ Kunming high-speed train reaches Qujing in 0.5 hours; car rental recommended for self-driving
✅ Mountain roads have many curves; beginners should be cautious on the Nizhu River section
✅ Hidden perk: Show a three-day high-speed train ticket for a 10% discount on some scenic area tickets

🍜 "Taste Code"
• Breakfast: Qujing steamed rice noodles with bone soup
• Lunch: Zhanyi spicy chicken + Fuyuan konjac tofu
• Dinner: Xuanwei ham hot pot + Huize fried potatoes
• Bonus: Luliang Ma Yi Sanzi snack with wild honey water