Things to do in Huaping

A hiking paradise, you can go there from Longnu Lake or Jiuzi Lake, where you can see the ancient glacier relics from different ice ages, as well as the stone sea and stone river relics left over from the movement of snow mountain glaciers. The stunning karst landforms are presented inadvertently. The completely different scenery along the way also makes this journey more rich and interesting.

We only managed to get the earliest tickets, so we set off while it was still dark, taking a taxi. Upon arrival, we went straight to collect the oxygen cylinders and bottled water included in our package, and rented thick down jackets. Remember, always arrive at your reserved time for the cable car; otherwise, you won't be allowed through the ticket check. If you've finished exploring the main cable car and it's not time to take the Spruce Meadow cable car yet, you can take a bus to other attractions or simply wait. Because it was cloudy and rainy that day, we only reached 4506 meters for photos. At around 3000 meters, we didn't feel much, but at 4000 meters, breathing became quite difficult, and we felt a bit dizzy. Using oxygen occasionally was necessary; in the end, we didn't even finish one bottle, and we gave the other to the hotel. Spruce Meadow and Blue Moon Valley are both beautiful and photogenic!

Location: Haigeng Park/No. 16 Hubin Road ↔ Xishan Longmen (West Mountain Dragon Gate), not near the old street, you have to go to the Dianchi Lake area. Experience: Crossing the lake + climbing the mountain, about 20 minutes one way, views of Dianchi Lake, Sleeping Beauty Mountain, and city scenery, great for taking photos. Ticket Price: One way about 59-60 RMB, round trip about 98-100 RMB. Advantages: Easy for lazy people to climb West Mountain, no climbing required, unique views; seagulls in winter. Disadvantages: Stops during strong winds/thunderstorms; long queues during peak season; separate ticket/walking required for Longmen after climbing the mountain; don't confuse with the "Xishan Longmen Cableway". Conclusion: First time in Kunming, taking the Dianchi-Xishan route → worth it; if just exploring the old street → not worth a special trip.

Nature's artistry is evident in the countless uniquely shaped rocks, with each step revealing a new vista. The karst landscape is breathtaking and unique, with well-planned trails. Following a guide's explanations allows one to truly appreciate the wonders of the Stone Forest, making it well worth a visit.

I visited more than 10 years ago, and this return trip is still just as impressive. Now there are escalators, which are much more convenient than before and more friendly to those with limited mobility or the elderly, but there is an additional charge.

A truly worthwhile destination; the experience exceeded my expectations. Although there were no seagulls and the water hyacinths weren't in full bloom at Lugu Lake in late September, it was still incredibly beautiful. Whether you start from Lijiang or Dali, it's very friendly to independent travelers, with convenient public transportation. A tour around the lake is also easy, and the stone pot fish and cured pork rib hot pot are delicious.

Daocheng Yading is famous for its snow-capped mountains and alpine lakes. Milk Lake and Five-Color Lake are located in high-altitude mountain valleys, with blue-green water at an altitude of 4,700 meters. Hiking to visit them is definitely a challenge to the physical limits for ordinary people.

The scenery of Shudu Lake in autumn is truly stunning. The lake reflects the azure sky, and it is surrounded by colorful forests and golden meadows interwoven with yellow, green and red hues. This is the pure land of Shangri-La.

The Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake scenic area is incredibly beautiful on a sunny day. The cable car station seems to be accessible only by taxi, but taxis in Dali are relatively inexpensive and convenient. Note that there's still a walk up the cable car, which some people might find a bit tiring. Overall, it's very cost-effective.

It was more fun than I expected! There weren't many people, and it was much quieter than those commercialized old towns. Although they gathered all sorts of ethnic architectural features together, making it seem like a tourist trap, the performers were incredibly dedicated. I think it's perfect for seniors because the whole trip isn't tiring, and you can learn about many different cultures in one place. I thought it was wonderful, and the performances were really good!