Zhaotong

Located in northeastern Yunnan Province at the junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan, Zhaotong City serves as a vital gateway for Central Plains culture entering Yunnan, historically known as the "Throat to Western Shu and Key to Southern Yunnan." With over 2,000 years of history since the Qin Dynasty's "Five-Chi Road," it boasts historical sites like Zhaotong Ancient Town, Zhuti Old City, and Yanjin Doushaguan Pass, making it one of Yunnan's three major cultural birthplaces. Zhaotong enjoys a pleasant climate with an average annual temperature of 11.6°C, offering cool summers and being certified as a "Summer Resort Tourism Destination" by the China Meteorological Administration.

Attractions

Dashanbao National Park
Features: Home to black-necked cranes in China, world's highest-altitude road-accessible wingsuit flying site, and breathtaking landscapes of vast grasslands and wetlands.

Highlights: Winter black-necked crane habitats, Buddha's Halo phenomenon, and plateau canyon scenery.

Jinsha River Gorge Lakes
Features: Baihetan, Xiluodu, and Xiangjiaba hydropower stations create a 500-kilometer stretch of misty gorge lakes, perfect for cruise sightseeing.

Zhaxi Red Town
Features: Site of the historic Zhaxi Conference, rich in revolutionary culture, combining natural scenery with historical education.

Huanglianhe Scenic Area
Features: Known as the "Hometown of Waterfalls in China," where cascades intertwine with misty peaks, ideal for hiking and photography.

Yanjin Doushaguan Pass
Features: A key stronghold on the Southern Silk Road, offering "3,000 years of history at a glance" and overlooking remnants of the ancient Five-Chi Road.

Sayu Willow Scenery
Features: Millennia-old willows and apple orchards along the Sayu River, with lush greenery in summer and fragrant apples in autumn, perfect for eco-tourism.

Culinary Recommendations

Zhaotong Mini Meat Skewers
Features: Charcoal-grilled to juicy perfection, with over 7,000 outlets citywide and annual revenue exceeding 10 billion yuan.

Gastrodia Steamed Chicken
Features: Slow-cooked with Zhaotong gastrodia and free-range chicken, honored as one of "China's Top Ten Yunnan Classic Dishes."

Oil Cake & Pea Flour Porridge
Features: Crispy yet chewy oil cakes paired with fragrant pea porridge, uniquely flavored with chili powder.

Yanjin Chef Series
Recommendations: Traditional Yanjin Doushaguan cuisine, known for its fresh, spicy, and sour flavors, featuring dishes like Yanjin bacon and tofu noodle soup.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Foods
Tongzi Leaf Cake: Sticky rice steamed with brown sugar, soft and sweet.

Weixin Zhaxi Hot Pot: Copper-pot grilled meat with signature dipping sauce, a night market favorite.

Travel Tips
Best Seasons: Summer for escaping heat (June-August), autumn for apple harvest (September-October).

Transport: Zhaotong city center serves as the tourism hub, accessible by car or high-speed rail to Zhaotong Station.

Accommodation: Recommended stays include Zhaotong Development Building Hotel (downtown) and Western Grand Canyon Hot Spring Hotel (Shuifu County).