Things to do in Xuanwei

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Qujing

Nizhuhe Grand Canyon

Nizhu River Grand Canyon is situated near Pu Li Town in Xuanwei City, Yunnan Province. (the Nizhu River is called the Kedu (available for crossing) River towards the upper reaches of the river and is also known as the Nizhu (泥猪) River) It is a tributary on the Beipan River and is the home of a beautiful and magical Grand Canyon in Xuanwei, up to the Mutong River Bridge, down to the Lalongcha river. The unique landscape of the Nizhu River Grand Canyon includes: a golden eagle, double waterfalls, and the Millennium Buddha from which a profound ape sound can be heard from both sides.

Dongshan Scenic Area - Dongshan Park

Dongshan is located on the red land of Xuanwei, which spans 6,069.88 square kilometers. The Wumeng Mountains stretch from north to south. Within its borders, rising peaks and verdant, layered mountains showcase the splendor of the plateau, while flat river valley basins with fertile soil and fields of fragrant crops are reminiscent of the splendor of Jiangnan.

Ham Square

The name of Xuanwei Ham Plaza comes from Xuanwei's more distinctive product - ham. It is a city square integrating leisure, entertainment and fitness functions. The square is divided into leisure, entertainment and fitness areas, with welcome road, garden landscape, cultural square, music fountain, performing arts stage, and background rockery. There is also the Huguang Scenic Area, where a lake is built according to the mountains, roads are built around the lake, and a number of garden landscapes have been created in the form of lake landscaping. There are also several entertainment facilities, such as bumper cars, roller coasters, big pendulums, etc. The circular square is a good place for people to rehearse dance programs and carry out sports activities. Thousands of people come here for leisure and play every day, and it is a good place for local citizens to relax and entertain.

Former Residence of Pu Zaiting

Xuanwei Museum

Xuanwei Museumis composed of four parts: the "Ancient Road and Post Station Songs – Xuanwei History and Culture Exhibition Hall," "Drinking Harmony and Eating Virtue – Xuanwei Folk Culture Exhibition Hall," "Wumeng Majestic – Xuanwei Revolutionary History Exhibition Hall," and the "Temporary Exhibition Hall," which helps tosystematically and comprehensively understand Xuanwei's history and culture.

No. 4 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Guizhou

Wumeng Grass Plain

Wumeng Grass Plain, also known locally as Poshang Grass Plain, is located in the northern part of Panzhou. With an average temperature of 11.1°C and a cool climate, it is a summer retreat. Here you can enjoy various outdoor activities such as horseback riding, archery, camping, and barbecuing, making it an ideal choice for a self-drive tour. The Wumeng Grass Plain is vast and enjoys a pleasant temperature. Here, blue skies and white clouds stretch over endless green grass, and any snapshot you take is a stunning landscape photo. Bring the family on a self-drive trip here, bask in the sun and relax or go horseback riding in the morning to experience the charm of the grassland. At noon, enjoy an outdoor barbecue for endless fun. In the evening, go camping, and if the weather is good, you can stargaze and admire the moon. Great food plus beautiful scenery make this simply a paradise on earth.

Wanshui Park

Wanshui Park is located on Nanmen Street in Xuanwei City, Qujing, Yunnan Province, and is a free park. It covers an area of 45 mu, with 25 mu of water surface. Inside the park, small bridges resemble ribbons, the pond water is emerald green, the rockeries are rugged, and the bamboo is lush. Additionally, the Siyuan Pavilion and Guanyu Pavilion, with their red pillars and green tiles, feature flying eaves and bracket sets as they stand by the water. In spring and summer, flowers bloom throughout the park, making visitors feel relaxed and refreshed. In winter, the park is covered in silver, which is quite charming.

2026 Asia 100 - Best Things to Do

Huangguoshu Scenic Area

The Huangguoshu Scenic Area is located in Anshun, Guizhou, centered around the Huangguoshu Waterfall. Surrounded by deep gorges, dense vegetation, and dotted with limestone caves and stone forests, it is a typical karst landscape area. The waterfall's name originates from the locally abundant "Huangguoshu" (Ficus virens). Ming Dynasty traveler Xu Xiake visited and documented this site, contributing to its fame. The scenic area primarily consists of three main sections: the Great Waterfall, Tianxing Bridge, and Doupotang. Most travelers follow the sequence of Doupotang, Tianxing Bridge, and finally the Great Waterfall, saving the most spectacular view for last. The grand waterfall has a drop of nearly 80 m and a width of over 100 m. The Baishui River plunges from the cliff top into Rhinoceros Pool, creating a vast mist. Multiple viewing platforms around it allow visitors to experience its grandeur, wonder, steepness, and beauty from different angles—above, below, front, back, left, and right. A particularly unique experience lies behind the waterfall: a 100 m long Water Curtain Cave runs horizontally through its midsection, featuring cave windows and halls. Reaching through a window, one can touch the cascading water. The cave served as the filming location for the Water Curtain Cave in the 1986 TV series Journey to the West. Due to the heavy humidity inside, bringing a raincoat in advance is recommended. Tianxing Bridge is renowned for its harmonious blend of rocks, water, trees, and caves—where rocks rise from the water, caves hide within rocks, and trees stand beside caves. The stepping stones along the path are engraved with dates, allowing travelers to find their own "birthday stone." The attraction is divided into upper and lower sections. Many travelers turn back after completing the upper section, missing the Silver Chain Waterfall in the lower part—where water cascades like silver chains into a funnel-shaped pool, the highlight of Tianxing Bridge. The Doupotang waterfall is located approx. 1 km upstream from the grand waterfall. With a width of over 100 m at its crest, the water spreads out smoothly like a beaded curtain. During the high-water season, its deep roar earns it the nickname "roaring waterfall." The scene of the four pilgrims leading their horse across the river in the 1986 TV series Journey to the West was filmed here. In summer and fall, the waterfalls are full and powerful, while in winter and spring, the flow becomes gentler, offering different viewing experiences. Nearby, visitors can also enjoy local snacks like sticky rice, love tofu, and Anshun spring rolls.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Yunnan

Dianchi Lake

Dianchi Lake, also known as Kunming Lake, is the sixth-largest freshwater lake in China. Its expansive and magnificent surface has earned it the reputation of "five hundred li of Dianchi Lake" since ancient times. As one of the larger plateau lakes in Yunnan Province, Dianchi Lake is surrounded by numerous waterfront parks and wetlands, making it an unmissable stop when visiting Kunming. Every winter, large flocks of black-headed gulls fly all the way from Siberia to Dianchi Lake to spend the winter. This spectacle has occurred faithfully every year since 1985, and feeding the black-headed gulls along the lakeshore has become a highly popular winter experience in Kunming. Strolling along the sightseeing road on the east bank of Dianchi Lake is a great way to experience the lake up close. On one side is the vast, misty expanse of water, with the Western Hills stretching across the distance; in winter, the sightseeing road is especially lively, as residents and visitors alike stop by the lakeside to interact with the black-headed gulls. For a different perspective, you can take the cableway from the lakeside to Dragon Gate in the Western Hills and look down from above, taking in the entire Dianchi Lake at a glance. In the Caohai area at the northern end, you can also take a boat out on the lake and experience its vastness from the water. In recent years, through sustained governance, the water quality and lakeside ecology of Dianchi Lake have gradually improved, the wetland views along the lake are also continuously being restored, and the sightseeing environment has been significantly enhanced compared to the past.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Yunnan

Stone Forest Scenic Area

Stone Forest Scenic Area is located in Shilin County, Kunming, and is one of Kunming's key attractions. Stone Forest Scenic Area is a typical karst landscape, with stone peaks, stone buds, sinkholes, and underground rivers everywhere. The peak forest transforms into various forms—sword-shaped, tower-shaped, mushroom-shaped, and more—bizarre and magnificent. The entire scenic area consists of the Major and Minor Stone Forest, Naigu Stone Forest, Dadieshui, Changhu, and other sections. These sections are relatively scattered, and regular tours are mainly concentrated in the Major and Minor Stone Forest area. The Major and Minor Stone Forests are located in the same area. Walk along the path for 20 minutes, and on your left is the smaller Minor Stone Forest Scenic Area with relatively gentle stone peaks. Amid a dense cluster of peaks stands the famous Ashima Rock, where the towering peak forest transforms into a graceful Yi girl named Ashima, as if beckoning to you. This is a favorite spot for visitors to take photos. Besides the pretty Ashima, the Minor Stone Forest area also features views such as Shenjun and Cushi Qingtian, each with its own distinct shape. This is a test of your imagination. If your imagination is not vivid enough, it is recommended to hire a guide, under whose guidance you will gain a whole new understanding of the peak forest before your eyes. As you slowly drive along the highway, the roadside unfolds in turn with Tang Monk Rock, Stone Prison, Phoenix Preening Its Feathers, Lingzhi Rock, and more—each vividly lifelike and exquisitely true to form, displaying the wondrous craftsmanship of nature to you in all manner of poses. Walking along the passageway, you will unexpectedly arrive at the Major Stone Forest area. After passing such wonders as "Two Birds Feeding Each Other," "Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon," "Lotus Peak," "Stone Forest Wonderland," and "Stone Screen," you may be feeling a bit tired. Taking a short rest at Lion Pavilion and admiring the reflection of the peak forest in Lion Pond across the way is a serene pleasure in itself. After seeing so many peak forests, it is only natural to feel some aesthetic fatigue. It is time to enjoy the water scenery. Board a cruise on Stone Forest Lake and drift across the water, where mountain scenery and lake views come together in one place, and all your stress and worries simply melt away. Naigu Stone Forest, also known as New Stone Forest or Mozhai Stone Forest, is composed of the Stone Forest Scenic Area, Baiyun Lake, Shifeng Mountain, and Yougu Xianpu Waterfall. Compared with the Major and Minor Stone Forests, this place presents another style. The peak forest here is overall grayish-black, with tall and densely packed stone pillars in castle, tower, and mushroom shapes. The simple and rugged grotesque rocks surge skyward like waves with magnificent momentum. Strolling through the black peak forest feels like entering a wild and primitive world.