Yilong Lake in Shiping, Yunnan: An Underrated Highland Gem

✨"Misty waters stretch to meet the sky, a small boat flies across the sunset"* — Xu Xiake's poetic depiction of Yilong Lake still captivates hearts today! This comprehensive guide unlocks off-the-beaten-path experiences, helping you avoid crowds and immerse in Yunnan's most healing lakeside scenery! 📍Transport Guide 🚗 Self-drive: Navigate to "Yilong Lake National Wetland Park" (~3.5hrs from Kunming), parking available (hourly fee) 🚌 Bus: Take "County Town-Baxin" bus from Shiping county (15min direct to scenic area) 🎫 Tickets & Opening Hours ✅ Free admission! Open year-round. Boardwalk area accessible 24/7; core wetland area recommended 8:00-18:00 🌟 Must-Do Experiences 1️⃣ Lakeside Boardwalk Stroll A 3km wooden path leads to the lake center, flanked by metasequoias, reeds, and wild ducks. Autumn reddens the trees, while spring-summer brings cherry blossoms. Buy breadcrumbs to feed red-billed gulls for pure bliss! 2️⃣ Lotus Fields & Haicaiqiang Folk Songs Summer (Jul-Sep) transforms the lake with blooming lotuses. Glide through floral seas by boat while encountering Yi ethnic "Haicaiqiang" performances—where intangible heritage meets nature. 3️⃣ Lakeside Cycling & Mini Train Bike along 37km of "China's Most Beautiful Highland Lake Track," or ride the "Zhuangyuan" narrow-gauge train through rice fields and villages for slow-living vibes. 4️⃣ Sunrise/Sunset & Stargazing 🌅 Dawn: Arrive by 6:30 to see rosy clouds paint the lake (best spot: Moshu Xiaowu Viewing Platform) 🌌 Night: Escape light pollution—the Milky Way shines bright! Bring a tripod for star trails. 🍜 Food Recs 📍 Shiping Old Town: Must-try "Shiping Tofu" (charcoal-grilled, crispy outside/tender inside), "Eight-Side Fried Fish," "Waxberry Jelly" 📍 Lakeside Eateries: Savor "Claypot Fish" and "Lotus Banquet"! 📸 Photo Ops 🌸 Lotus Boardwalk: Summer—wear light dresses, low-angle shots with flowers 🌾 Reed Groves: Autumn—knitwear + backlighting for silhouettes 🕊️ Gull Feeding: Toss snacks for action shots (burst mode recommended!) 🏡 Accommodation 🌿 Lakeside Stays: "Shiping Shuiyunju Inn" or "Qingfeng Lakeside Boutique" for wake-up-to-water views 🏯 Heritage Guesthouses: Restored Ming-Qing courtyard houses ooze historical charm. ⚠️ Tips • Wear anti-slip shoes on wet boardwalks; sun protection essential • No littering/unauthorized feeding • Winter: pack windproof layers; Summer: mosquito repellent