Puzhehei

Puzhehei is a national AAAA-level scenic area. It rose to nationwide fame as the third filming location for the popular parent-child reality show Where Are We Going, Dad? in 2013. Located in the karst region of southeastern Yunnan, it features well-developed typical karst landforms. The scenic spot sits in the northwest of Qiubei County, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, 13 kilometers away from the county seat.

Mountains, waters and caves are inseparable here. As you wander around, you will find waters nestling among mountains, peaks rising out of lakes, caves hidden in hills and streams flowing inside caves. Peaks viewed from beneath the water appear even more extraordinary. The caves are adorned with a dazzling array of glittering, colorful stalactites.

Among them, Caiyun Cave and Heijinglong Lion Mountain Cave preserve cliff paintings of bird totems dating back over 3,000 years. Remains of ancient people can still be seen in Immortal Cave, Shenyi Cave and Heijinglong Cave, along with clearly visible fossilized bones of various animals left behind by ancient inhabitants. These sites boast high ornamental value as well as great scientific research significance.

As a plateau freshwater lake, Puzhehei Lake is situated 14 kilometers northwest of Jinping Town, Qiubei County, on the northwest side of Puzhehei Village in Shuanglongying Township. It derives its name from the village. Puzhehei is a transliteration from the Yi language: Puzhe means fish and shrimp, while hei refers to a pond, so the name literally translates to "a pond teeming with fish and shrimp". Locals also call it the Pearl Lake.

Fed by the upstream waters of the Qingshui River, the lake water flows south into Immortal Cave Lake and eventually empties into the Nanpan River, part of the Pearl River water system. The lake stretches 1.43 kilometers long and 0.7 kilometers at its widest point, with a 20-kilometer shoreline and a total area of 5.3 square kilometers. It takes on an irregular cross shape. With an average depth of 4 meters and crystal-clear water, its bed and banks are covered with mud flats. Grass carp, silver carp, shrimps and crabs thrive in the lake.

The cave cluster features stunning scenic spots including Moon Cave, Torch Cave, Immortal Cave and Shenyi Cave. These caverns are spacious and easy to access. Inside, dense stalagmites and strange rock formations shine brightly in varied hues, forming a fantastic underground landscape of peculiar rocks, mystic waters and marvelous grottoes.

A boat tour along the lakes brings immense joy, while rowing and fishing help soothe the mind and refresh the spirit. Wooden boats and small vessels are available for visitors on Immortal Lake, Lantern Lake, Lotus Leaf Lake, Axi Lake, Green Pine Lake, Pine Forest Lake and Bailong Lake.

Cruising on the water, you can watch fish frolicking in the lake and overlook the fertile basins. You may also admire bamboo-fringed water villages and idyllic rural scenery. Views shift with the boat, and lotus ponds present lush green scenery everywhere. Fishing boats drift past occasionally, while geese play among white lotus flowers. The landscape fully earns Puzhehei the reputation of "Little Jiangnan on the Plateau".

The lake is home to variegated fish, oil fish, whitebait, loaches, carps and more, which you can catch and cook by yourself for extra fun. Every bend of the lake unveils a new breathtaking view. The ever-changing scenery is like walking through an art gallery, offering an otherworldly experience.

Stepping into the underground caves, you will see countless stalactites in diverse shapes. Some resemble crouching dragons and tigers, or an underground great wall; others look like eagles, peacocks, deities and fairies. There are rock formations shaped like imperial palaces, paradise, stars, the moon, glossy ganoderma, willow branches, chrysanthemums and grapes, comparable to the exquisite sculptures in the Mogao Grottoes.

For thrill-seekers, you can take an 800-meter boat ride inside Moon Cave, or witness the spectacular sight of thousands of bats swarming out in Zhangzui Cave.

Liulang Cave accommodates Yunnan’s largest underground river system, with a total length of 120 kilometers and an annual water discharge of 747 million cubic meters. Such vast underground lakes and lengthy subterranean rivers are truly rare in the world. Limited by current technology and equipment, no one has sailed across the underground lake so far. The 30-kilometer-long red earth cave passage and the underground canyon in Phoenix Tail Cave remain untouched by explorers.

Boasting immense caverns, deep underground rivers and a spectacular variety of well-developed stalactites, this area with top-grade landscapes is a paradise for adventure lovers.

Houpa Rock Gorge stretches 9 kilometers at an altitude of 880 meters, with the roaring Qingshui River running through it. Dense trees cover both banks, where ancient pines, arbors and vines grow in abundance. Exotic flowers and herbs, twisting old vines and towering ancient trees form a well-preserved primitive ecosystem.

Rare wild animals such as macaques, pythons, blue sheep and wild boars inhabit the dense forests. The river is rich in precious aquatic species including giant salamanders, pig-mouthed fish, horse fish, salmon and soft-shelled turtles. The charming scenery along the gorge makes the tour utterly delightful.

Located in the northwest of Qiubei County, at the junction of four basins — Yuezhe, Badaoshao, Xingou and Puzhehei, Shede Grassland is 35 kilometers away from Puzhehei. Covering a total area of 50,000 mu, it is known as "Shangri-La of Qiubei" and an ideal summer resort for escaping the heat