I just got back from a family trip to Yunnan, and I have to share my experience!

Never take your kids to this wild lake in Yunnan, or… they won't want to leave! Yes, I'm talking about Bingnong Village in Yuanmou, Chuxiong! Before we left, I saw a post online calling it "Yunnan's California." I thought it was just another hyped-up internet spot, but—wow, was I wrong! Few people, wild scenery, free entry, and tons of things to do! Here's my tried-and-true guide for a three-day, two-night trip with kids, including lessons learned and unfiltered photos📸. 🚗A 3-Hour Drive into Untouched Wilderness We started from Dali, put Bingnong Village into the GPS, and drove through mountains and valleys for 3 hours straight to the lake. The scenery outside the window changed from the blue of Cangshan and Erhai Lake to the vastness of red earth hills. My child, glued to the window, exclaimed, "Mom, the mountains look like a giant chocolate layer cake!"🍰 When we arrived, cows and sheep grazed peacefully on the meadows, the lake shimmered like scattered diamonds, and the mountains stretched like fingerprints on the earth… No noisy tourists, no commercial stalls, just the wind, birdsong, and my child's excited squeal: "I want to pitch a tent here!"⛺ 🌿Wild Fun Until the Batteries Run Out Lakeside Camping: We found a flat patch of grass, pitched our tent, and had a picnic under the shade of a tree. The sunlight filtered through the leaves onto our food, making even sandwiches taste amazing (maybe we were just hungry). Boating and Fishing: We tossed our inflatable kayak into the lake, and my kid splashed around with a fishing net, eventually scooping up a handful of seaweed, proudly declaring they would "keep it in a water bottle"💦. Hiking and Exploring: We strolled around the lake and discovered a reed bed. My child skipped stones, their dad taught them about wildflowers, and I took photos—it was a scene straight out of a family commercial! ⚠Hard-Learned Lessons, Heed My Warnings! Trash! Trash! Trash!🗑 This place is completely undeveloped, with no trash cans or cleaners. We saw drink bottles hidden in the grass, which turned my kid into an "environmental warrior" picking up trash along the way… Please take all your trash with you! Bring Enough Food: There are no shops nearby, so pack instant hot pot, fruit, and plenty of water. Hungry kids will literally gnaw on tree bark (slight exaggeration). Safety First: The edge of the lake is muddy, so don't let children play in the water alone. Waterproof boots are recommended. 🌄Side Trip to an "Alien Landscape" On the way back, we took a detour to Yuanmou Earth Forest (40-minute drive). It's like a fantasy world sculpted by giants, and my child ran around yelling, "I'm on Mars!" The 70 RMB entrance fee is a bit steep, but the sunset photos are stunning, making it worth the price! 📌Practical Information Address: Bingnong Village, Yuanmou County, Chuxiong, Yunnan (GPS will take you directly to the lake) Entrance Fee: Free! Free! Free! Accommodation: Day trip or camping is recommended, as there are no hotels nearby. If staying overnight, consider Yuanmou County (I recommend Yuanmou Hotel, clean and affordable, family rooms 300+/night). Final Thoughts: This place is so beautiful I want to keep it a secret, but I'm also afraid it'll be ruined if it becomes too popular😭. If you're intrigued, please tread lightly, leave only footprints, and take away only memories (and your trash). "Mom, let's come back and camp here next year!" my child mumbled in the car on the way back. I looked at the receding lake in the rearview mirror and thought: Maybe the real California isn't in America, but in this unknown red earth paradise in Yunnan. 🌄