Chu Xiong Prefecture Attractions

Jiyi Great Rift Valley
The Great Rift Valley in Jiyi is little known to the world. It's located in a remote township in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture. It takes 4.5 hours to drive from Kunming to Jiyi County. Despite the long drive and zigzagging road, the scenery here is breathtaking and the people here are mor...
The Great Rift Valley in Jiyi is little known to the world. It's located in a remote township in Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture. It takes 4.5 hours to drive from Kunming to Jiyi County. Despite the long drive and zigzagging road, the scenery here is breathtaking and the people here are more than genuine. You can also have a feast of authentic goat meat and chicken meat, all of which are raised by the local villagers.

The Park of Ten-month Solar Calendar of Yi Ethnicity
Chu Xiong Prefecture Articles

the salt gem of Chuxiong--Shiyang
Shiyang saw its heyday during the Ming Dynasty, when its supply and production of salt reached dizzying heights. It is located roughly 125 kilometers northwest of Kunming. A small river cuts right through the heart of Shiyang and its wealth of lush green, dense forests, dotted by temples.
...Shiyang saw its heyday during the Ming Dynasty, when its supply and production of salt reached dizzying heights. It is located roughly 125 kilometers northwest of Kunming. A small river cuts right through the heart of Shiyang and its wealth of lush green, dense forests, dotted by temples.
The ancient town is dotted with many cultural relics, among them the famous Confucius Temple is certainly worth a visit. Sitting at the foot of a mountain overlooking the town, the temple was built during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty. A copper statue of Confucius, who expounded the philosophy of personal and state morality 2,000 years ago, is enshrined within the sanctuary walls. Boasting a weight of 2,500 kilograms and standing at a height of more than two meters, the statue is one only a few such in the entire country.

trip to chuxiong CI七y
Top Chu Xiong Prefecture Tours

Yunnan's ancient salt towns
Exploring Yunnan is not fully completed unless one visits at least one of the three ancient and historically important salt towns in southwest China. Heijing (黑井), Nuodeng (诺邓) and Shiyang (石羊) are three often undiscovered pearls of the province, and can provide travelers with a rare view of China from another time.
...Read moreExploring Yunnan is not fully completed unless one visits at least one of the three ancient and historically important salt towns in southwest China. Heijing (黑井), Nuodeng (诺邓) and Shiyang (石羊) are three often undiscovered pearls of the province, and can provide travelers with a rare view of China from another time.
These are among the province's best-preserved old towns that have also left indelible marks on the region's economy via the hard work of their former residents. Many ancient people became rich through the salt trade in these towns and often villagers carry on traditions, speaking only the local language. Would-be explorers are advised to learn Chinese a little bit to make the journey more interesting and memorable.
Heijing, or 'black well' in Chinese, is one of the most venerable salt towns in Yunnan. First established during the Tang Dynasty, the trade hub has a history of more than a thousand years. Situated 200 kilometers northwest of Kunming, Heijing has been awarded a national scenic spot rating for its rich history and cultural heritage. It was once a prosperous town mainly because of booming salt production and trade. Now only its ancient architecture and other historical vestiges reveal its long-forgotten past.
On the western side of Heijing, up in the mountains, is the Wu family mansion. The immense home perfectly exemplifies the architectural novelty of the old town. The mansion is built in the shape of the Chinese character wang (王), which means king. It has 108 rooms, which are still largely unchanged in the face of time. It has now been transformed into one of the most expensive hotels for travelers in Heijing.
The old town, with its aged Black Cow Well (黑牛井), cobblestone streets, red lanterns and horse carts still retains the legacy of the old days. Cars are a rare phenomenon and not allowed inside the old town. Another intriguing site in Heijing is the Salt Museum, which still produces salt, although only to demonstrate the procedure to visitors and produce many of the area's traditional delicacies. The museum also contains black and white photographs covering more than 100 years of local history.

10 days Yunnan Photography Tour
Kunming ----- Dongchuan Red Land ----- Chuxiong Yuanmou Earth Forest ----- Stone Forest ----- Jianshui Old Town------ Yuanyang Rice Terraces ------ Kunming
Day 1 Kunming ----- Dongchuan Red Land
After your arrival in Kunming, we drive 3 hours to visit Dongchuan Red Land ( Lepuao, Luoxiagou). On the way to Dongchuan, we'll see the highest bridge in Asia.
...Read moreKunming ----- Dongchuan Red Land ----- Chuxiong Yuanmou Earth Forest ----- Stone Forest ----- Jianshui Old Town------ Yuanyang Rice Terraces ------ Kunming
Day 1 Kunming ----- Dongchuan Red Land
After your arrival in Kunming, we drive 3 hours to visit Dongchuan Red Land ( Lepuao, Luoxiagou). On the way to Dongchuan, we'll see the highest bridge in Asia.
Day 2 Dongchuan Red Land
Get up earlily at 6 a.m, and drive 30 minutes to Damakan to see sunrise, and then drive back to Jinxiuyuan (Colorful Garden)
Day 3 Dongchuan Red Land --------- Chuxiong Yuanmou Earth Forest
Drive 5 hours to Yuanmou Earth Forest
Day 4 Yuanmou Earth Forest--------- Stone Forest
Drive 4 hours to
Day 5 Stone Forest-------- Jianshui Old Town
Day 6 Jianshu Old Town
Day 7 Jianshu Old Town-------- Yuanyang Rice Terraces
Day 8 Yuanyang
Day 9 Yuanyang
Day 10 Yuangyang -------- Kunming
