[Yunnan Zhaotong｜An Underrated Autumn City Secret! 3 Days 2 Nights Nanny-Level Guide

📍Itinerary Plan (3 Days 2 Nights Highlights)
DAY 1: Natural Wonders Trek
✅ Dashanbao: National Black-necked Crane Nature Reserve, perfect for crane watching in winter (November to March), and a sea of flowers from May to July🌼! Don’t miss the sunrise sea of clouds at Jigong Mountain, recommended to get up early and wait during the golden hours from 5:30 to 7:00.
✅ Doushaguang: A combination of Wuchidao Trail + Hanging Coffins + Ancient Tea Horse Road! Wear Hanfu to shoot cliffside photos at Shimen Pass, and in the evening visit the ancient town to try stone pot tofu rice, only about 30 RMB per person to eat until full.

DAY 2: Cultural and Historical Immersion
✅ Long Family Ancestral Hall: Republic of China style architecture + Yi ethnic culture exhibition, the red walls and bamboo shadows in the back garden are perfect for photos! Entrance fee 30 RMB, wearing a plain-colored qipao adds to the atmosphere.
✅ Zhaotong Ancient City: The 600-year-old "Autumn City," stroll through Tiaoshui Alley and Huaiyuan Street, check in at the Confucian Temple and the old Qing Dynasty Escort Agency site, recommended to shoot blue hour night scenes in the evening.

DAY 3: Canyon Hot Springs Finale
✅ Western Grand Canyon: Natural hot springs on the cliff edge♨️! Recommended are the rose pool and red wine pool, 128 RMB per person including buffet, remember to bring a waterproof phone case to shoot Instagram-style floating afternoon tea.

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🚗 Transportation and Accommodation Guide
✔️ Major Transport: Kunming to Zhaotong flight only 1.5 hours (tickets often 200+ RMB), high-speed rail requires detouring via Chongqing/Chengdu and takes longer; self-driving recommended with an off-road vehicle due to some rugged mountain roads.
✔️ Local Travel: Attractions are scattered, car hire costs 400-600 RMB/day (recommended to find a local driver who can unlock wild viewing platforms along the way).
🏡 Accommodation:
- In the city, choose Jinjiang Inn (Dongfeng Road branch), 10 minutes walk to the ancient city;
- At Dashanbao, stay at Heyuan Inn, enjoy fire-pit roasted potatoes + the owner’s exclusive star photography guide.

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🍜 Food Highlights and Warnings
🔥 Must-Try List:
❶ Yougao Erkuai: Zhaotong’s top breakfast! Crispy potato + spicy sauce erkuai, recommended at Nanshuncheng Street’s “Old Brand Li Ji”;
❷ Sour Soup Pig Trotters: Fuyuan sauerkraut + mint leaves, about 40 RMB per person, navigate to “Zhang Ji Sour Soup Pig Trotter Hotpot”;
❸ Xiaocaoba Gastrodia Stewed Chicken: A health boost for girls! Pick fresh Gastrodia at the herbal market, the stew is incredibly fresh.
💣 Avoid: The roasted potatoes with sauce inside scenic spots tend to be too salty, it’s recommended to bring your own Liupo chili powder!

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📸 Popular Photo Tips
1️⃣ Dashanbao: Use a telephoto lens to shoot flocks of black-necked cranes (drones prohibited to avoid disturbance), wide-angle for the depth of Jigong Mountain canyon;
2️⃣ Doushaguang: Drone aerial shots of the zigzag Wuchidao Trail, wearing a red jacket creates amazing contrast;
3️⃣ Long Family Ancestral Hall: Use carved window frames as foreground, side lighting enhances the architecture.