Yuxi Prefecture lies in central Yunnan Province. It borders Kunming to the north, Simao to the southwest, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture to the southeast, and Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture to the northwest. The municipal government is located on Hongta Road, Hongta District. Renowned for high grain yields and premium tobacco leaves, Yuxi earns the reputations of "Granary of Central Yunnan" and "Hometown of Yunnan Tobacco".

Nestled on the western edge of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, Yuxi features a terrain that slopes downward from the northwest to the southeast. The landform is complex, with mountains, valleys, plateaus and basins interlaced. The Ailao Mountains in the western part cover an area of 14,660 square kilometers within the prefecture. Its main peak, Daxueguo Mountain, stands at 3,137 meters above sea level, the highest point in the region.

Four major plateau lakes scatter across Yuxi: Fuxian Lake, Xingyun Lake, Qilu Lake and Yangzonghai Lake, with a combined total area of 298 square kilometers.

Situated 5 kilometers south of Chengjiang County and over 70 kilometers away from Kunming, Fuxian Lake is a famous freshwater lake in China. It boasts exceptionally clear water.

Major scenic spots here include Luchong Village, Fish-Dividing Rock, Mingxing Scenic Area and Gushan Island. Visitors can camp along the lakeshore, go boating and swimming on the water. Numerous resorts and hotels line the bank, attracting crowds of tourists to escape the summer heat every year.

Transportation Take regular coaches to Chengjiang County from Kunming South Bus Station. The journey takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes, with a fare of ¥17 (insurance not included).

Tucked inside the White Tea Valley — Jiulong Gorge Scenic Area, the resort is built along the mountains. It is a comprehensive venue integrating catering, accommodation, entertainment, conferences and leisure. Surrounded by green hills and dense woods with serene natural scenery, the resort has 60 guest rooms in total, including 20 quaint wooden villas with distinctive styles.

It features dining halls and private booths capable of serving over 300 guests simultaneously, as well as two meeting rooms. The forest resources are properly developed, allowing diners to taste various wild delicacies.

Ticket: ¥10

Transportation Minibuses depart for Chengjiang County from Kunming South Bus Station every 30 minutes at a fare of ¥17. Regular shuttle buses run between Chengjiang County seat and Luchong Village daily for ¥3 per ride.

Yilong Town in Shiping County was formed by merging the former Yilong, Maohe and Taocun towns. It sits in the urban-rural fringe of Shiping County, bordering Baxin Town to the east, Niujie Town to the south, Baoxiu Town to the west and Xincheng Township to the north.

The area abounds with natural springs, rivers and man-made ponds. Three local rivers converge into the Xiaohedi River and finally flow into the Red River, belonging to the Red River water system.

Known as the "Pearl of the Plateau", Yilong Lake, a natural freshwater lake, lies in the heart of Yilong Town like a treasure trove.

Transportation Most coaches heading for Honghe depart from Yunnan Tour Bus Station (No.66 Minhang Road, Guanshang; Tel: 0871-7185123). Buses are also available at Kunming Central Bus Station and Huangtupo Bus Station.

Located in the southern part of Tonghai County, Xiushan Park is one of Yuxi’s key scenic spots. The mountain is covered with lush trees and dotted with ancient buildings and inscribed couplets, permeated with a strong cultural atmosphere.

The rare Song-dynasty cypress, Yuan-dynasty fir and Ming-dynasty yulan magnolia are hailed as the Three Wonders of Xiushan. The mountain is also famous as a "Mountain of Plaques and Ocean of Couplets" and a "Forest of Steles". Preserved plaques, couplets and stone carvings, together with ancient trees, form a unique landscape. Standing atop the mountain, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Qilu Lake, Tonghai County and the surrounding basin.

Ticket: ¥50

Transportation Take a coach bound for Tonghai County from Kunming East Bus Station. The fare is ¥35, and the whole trip covers about 138 kilometers. Xiushan Park is right on the outskirts of the county; you can walk there along South Street after arriving in Tonghai.

The park is situated in the southeastern part of Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous County, 20 kilometers from the county seat. It gets its name for its millstone-shaped mountain range.

As the nearest mid-mountain humid evergreen broad-leaved forest zone to Kunming, it includes primeval and secondary forests. The standing timber volume reaches 443,059.2 cubic meters. The forest coverage rate is 64.2%, or 83.4% when including shrubs, across a total area of 242 square kilometers.

The park is rich in plant resources, home to 324 higher plant species belonging to 137 genera and 98 families. Plants distribute vertically along the rising altitude, giving the park high value for scientific research, education and eco-tourism.

Ticket: ¥60

The crystal-clear pool is the biggest highlight of Yuxi Nine-Dragon Pool. Xinxing Prefecture Records compiled in the Qianlong reign describes the spring water: "It gurgles out from rocky crevices and gathers into a clear pool where one can see their hair reflected."

Shoals of fish frolic in the water all year round. On sunny days, dappled tree shadows cast vivid reflections on the water surface. When a breeze blows, ripples spread, distorting the shadows and stirring the fish, creating a delightful scene.

Railing encloses the pool, with a bridge spanning across its center. The three Chinese characters meaning "Nine-Dragon Pool" are carved above the bridge arch. The spring yields far more water than other local springs, serving as a vital water source for irrigating tens of thousands of mu of farmland across forty-two villages in the Yuxi Basin since ancient times.

Surrounding the pool stand towering ancient trees, where birds sing amid rustling leaves. An ancient opera stage still remains on the open ground east of the pool. Historically, grand lantern shows were held here every Spring Festival, drawing huge crowds of visitors.

Ticket: ¥40