Yunnan's Hidden Secret! The Beauty of Yongren Missed by 99% of People

🌿 In-depth Travel Guide to Yongren: The Pastoral Song of Northern Yunnan's Secret Land

📅 Best Travel Seasons
✅ May to October (Terrace irrigation period / Yi Torch Festival)
✅ November to December (Golden rice harvest season)
⚠️ Avoid continuous rainy days in July and August (some mountain roads may collapse)

🚗 Transportation Guide
✔ Self-driving:
- Kunming → Yongren (3.5 hours, direct via Jingkun Expressway)
- Chuxiong → Yongren (1.5 hours, passing through Yuanmou Earth Forest)
✔ Bus:
- Kunming West Bus Station → Yongren (4 trips daily, ticket price 85 RMB)
✔ High-speed Rail:
- Kunming South → Yongren Station (2 hours, transfer to bus to county town)

🌄 Must-visit Attractions
1. Fangshan Scenic Area (Entrance fee 30 RMB)
- Zhugeying Ruins to watch the sea of clouds (arrive before 6 AM)
- 📍 Hidden activity: Find the millennium-old pine "Tree Wrapped Pagoda"

2. Yongren Terraces (Free)
- Best viewing spot: Pucun outside Yijiu Town (golden rice fields in October)
- ⚠️ Photography note: Respect farming, do not step on the ridges

3. Zhonghe Old Street
- The most intact post station on the Ancient Tea Horse Road
- 🕒 Recommended time: Market day every Saturday (mountain goods trading)

4. Zhiju Yi Ethnic Village
- Origin of the intangible cultural heritage "Sai Costume Festival" (around Spring Festival)
- 🏠 Home visits to Yi families available by appointment (experience hemp spinning/jumping dance)

🏡 Accommodation Suggestions
• County town preferred: Yongren Grand Hotel (200 RMB/night, near food street)
• Unique experience: Fangshan Forest Cabin (night star gazing)
• Backpackers: Yijiu Town Youth Hostel (50 RMB/bed)

🍲 Food Map
✔ Must-try: Mutton soup pot (most authentic in Yi ancient town)
✔ Specialty: Buckwheat cake dipped in honey (made fresh at morning market)
✔ Wild vegetables: Stir-fried tree flower vegetable with cured meat (rainy season special)
✔ Avoid: Restaurants around scenic spots (Yijiu Town is more affordable)

⚠️ Precautions
1. Mountain temperature difference over 10℃ (bring a windbreaker)
2. Do not step on thresholds or point at deity statues in Yi villages
3. Many snakes and insects in terrace areas (wear high-top shoes)
4. Cash is essential (mobile payment only common in county town)

💰 Budget Reference (2 days 1 night)
• Basic version: 400 RMB/person (bus + guesthouse + simple meals)
• In-depth version: 600-800 RMB/person (chartered car + Yi long street banquet)

📌 Insider Tips
- Hidden viewpoint: Fangshan Wangjiang Ridge (overlooking Jinsha River)
- Handicraft experience: Walnut oil pressing at Zhonghe Old Street oil mill
- Festival events:
- June Torch Festival (city-wide celebration)
- September Chestnut Festival (freshly roasted and eaten)

🌾 Travel Philosophy:
Here there is no noisy internet-famous check-in spot, only the shuttle sound of Yi grandma weaving, the cloud shadows reflected in the terraces, and the fading sound of horse hooves on the old street’s stone slabs—Yongren’s beauty can only be understood by slowing down.