[2025 Yuxi Attraction] Travel Guide for Hongta Mountain (Updated Apr)

Hongta Mountain Travel Guide: Attraction Introduction Hongta Mountain is located on Wenbi Mountain, 2 kilometers southeast of Hongta District, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province. It gets its name from the white pagoda built in the Yuan Dynasty that stands at the top of the mountain. The pagoda was originally built in the Yuan Dynasty and rebuilt in the 19th year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty (1839). In 1958, the white pagoda was painted red and renamed "Hongta Mountain," and the scenery was replaced by "Red Pagoda Sunrise." Hongta Mountain is divided into "Big Hongta Mountain" and "Small Hongta Mountain." It is not only a landmark of Yuxi but also an important historical and cultural relic. Best Time to Visit Hongta Mountain is suitable for visiting all year round, with a mild climate and unique scenery in each season. You can enjoy blooming mountain flowers in spring, escape the summer heat in summer, experience the crisp autumn air in fall, and bask in the warm sunshine in winter. Transportation Guide • Public Transportation: Take Bus No. 2 from Yuxi city center, get off at Hongta Group Station, and walk about 235 meters to reach Hongta Mountain. • Self-driving: Navigate to "Hongta Mountain." Leave Kunmo Expressway from the Yuxi/Urban Area Exit and drive along Hongta Avenue to Hongta Industrial Park. Ticket Information Hongta Mountain Scenic Area is free and open to the public. No tickets are required. Tour Route Planning • Hiking Route: Start from Hongta Mountain Park at the foot of the mountain and hike up the mountain along the hiking trail. Along the way, you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and rich vegetation. • Attraction Visits: • Red Pagoda: The core attraction of Hongta Mountain, it is a seven-sided, eight-story solid pagoda, 35 meters high. The tower body is built with bluestone, filled with earth, and has a dense eaves structure. • Yunquan Temple: Yunquan Temple on the mountain was built in the Tang Dynasty. There are eight scenic spots in the temple, including "Yunquan Waterfall," "Biyun Nest," and "Samantabhadra Pagoda Shadow." • Tobacco Culture Museum: Located near Hongta Mountain, it showcases the history of Hongta Mountain and Yuxi's two major brands, carrying a profound tobacco culture heritage. • Leisure and Entertainment: Hongta Mountain Park has a large green lawn, perfect for picnics, kite flying, sunbathing, and outdoor barbecues. It is a good place to relax and take children. Things to Note • The dining, shopping, and other tourism facilities around Hongta Mountain Scenic Area are not very rich. It is recommended to prepare some food and water in advance. • There is room for improvement in the scenic area's rest facilities and signage. Please pay attention to safety during your visit. • During peak periods such as holidays or weekends, Hongta Mountain may receive a large number of tourists, resulting in parking difficulties. It is recommended to plan your trip accordingly. Food Recommendations • Chongqing Bean Curd: The bean curd has a delicate texture and is served with special chili sauce and soy sauce, making it delicious. • Cross-bridge Rice Noodles: The soup is rich and delicious, and the rice noodles are smooth and refreshing. • Grilled Tofu: Crispy and fragrant.

#springwander In Yuxi, Red Pagoda Mountain stands as a serene ode to simplicity, proving that “a mountain need not be high to be renowned, and a pagoda need not be many to hold spirit.” Its charm lies not in grandeur, but in the harmony of its iconic red tower and the fleeting mist that often graces its peak, like spring’s own delicate breath. The beauty of this mountain is as timeless as it is welcoming. Accessible for free, it invites visitors to wander its tranquil paths, where the whispers of nature blend with the quiet elegance of the pagoda. Here, spring envelops the mountain in a gentle embrace, turning every moment into a reflection of renewal and peace. Red Pagoda Mountain isn’t just a landmark; it’s a springtime sanctuary where simplicity becomes sublime, and where the timeless union of earth and sky leaves an imprint on every traveler. 🌿✨⛰️🏯

#springwander Riding a shared e-bike toward Red Pagoda Mountain feels like chasing the fading light—each turn bringing a new perspective of its timeless beauty. As you ascend, the city’s hum quiets, replaced by the gentle embrace of spring’s evening breeze. The summit is where the magic unfolds. From dusk until darkness settles, the view transforms—sunset ignites the sky in a golden farewell, while the vast grassland below the pagoda softens into a hushed serenity. Then, as night deepens, the scenery shifts again, revealing a landscape draped in quiet elegance and shimmering lights. Stay a while—Red Pagoda Mountain isn’t just a destination, but a journey through light, shadow, and the peaceful rhythm of spring’s changing hues. 🌿✨⛰️🌅

✨Day 1: Kunming → Yuxi City · First Encounter with the Pearl of Central Yunnan 🚅Transportation: Kunming South Railway Station high-speed rail 40 minutes to Yuxi Station (💰38 yuan), it is recommended to take the early train to start the journey 📍Must-check-in: ▫️Nie Er Music Square (Giant Piano Landmark + Rainbow Trail) ▫️Hongtashan Cultural and Creative Park (Hongta Group Headquarters + Industrial Style Cafe) 🍜 Food: ▫️Hongji Cold Rice Noodles (Spicy and sour papaya soup with freshly mixed rice noodles) ▫️Beicheng Old Street Grilled Tofu (Tofu with Secret Fermented Bean Curd Sauce) 🏠Accommodation: Hongta Avenue Designer B&B (150+ per person) ✨Day 2: Fuxian Lake, a mysterious blue land of endless glazed water 🚗Transportation: It is recommended to rent a car (2h drive) or share a ride 🌊Super full gameplay: ▫️Morning: Star Fish Cave (transparent kayaking + sailing experience) ▫️Afternoon: Guanglong Fuhai Bay (Flower Sea Plank Road + White Beach Aerial Photography) ▫️Dusk: Gushan Island Sunset Cruise (Encounter Pink Sunset) 🐟Must eat: Huxianfu Fish Restaurant (copper pot potato rice + three ways to eat Kanglang fish) ⚠️Avoid pitfalls: Don’t buy “antique fossils” sold on the roadside ✨Day 3: Xinping Ailao Mountain·Explore the Cloud Terraces 🚌Transportation: Yuxi Bus Station → Jiasa Town (3h drive) 🌾Secret experience: ▫️Morning: Sea of ​​Clouds over Nanuo Terraces (Hani Agricultural Culture Museum) ▫️Afternoon: Shimenxia River Tracing (The Wizard of Oz in the Primeval Forest) ▫️Night: Bonfire Party in Huayao Dai Ancient Village (Intangible Cultural Heritage Embroidery Experience) 🍍Food: Gasa beef soup pot + sour doyigo with chili 🏡Accommodation: Yunshang Xiangju Inn (open the window to see the sea of ​​clouds and terraced fields) ✨Day 4: Red River Valley, the ancient Tea-Horse Road that spans thousands of years 🚴♀️Special gameplay: ▫️ Cycling the Nanen Waterfall Loop (through the Alsophila spinulosa forest) ▫️Visit Chu Orange Manor (modern agricultural tourism) ▫️Buying ethnic handicrafts: Jiasa Saturday Market (Huaya Dai silver jewelry/earthen pottery) 🎁Souvenirs: Maoduoli tamarind cake + Tonghai silver jewelry 💡【Aboriginal private collection tips】 1️⃣ You need a license to dive in Fuxian Lake. The recommended snorkeling spot is the Fish Cave. 2️⃣ The city is covered in purple during the Jacaranda season from April to May, a must-see for photographers 3️⃣ The temperature difference between morning and night in Ailao Mountain is large, so prepare a jacket and non-slip shoes 4️⃣ Remember to avoid the "Mountains and Flowing Water" toast when attending a long street banquet 📸Internet celebrity seats: ▶️Hongtashan Cherry Blossom Avenue (Spring only) ▶️Fuxian Lake Time Plank Road (white piano + boundless lake view) ▶️Nanuo Rice Terraces Observation Deck (same location as the aerial photography in China) 💰Budget reference: 1200-1500 per person (including transportation and accommodation), students can reduce it to 800+ This way of playing that deeply combines natural scenery with ethnic minority culture avoids the crowded popular routes and hides the most original surprises of Yunnan! Collect this article and unlock the A and B sides of Yuxi~🌺✨

| Experience the charm of Yuxi this spring, from March to May, and uncover the hidden treasures of central Yunnan. 🌟 Located in the heart of Yunnan Province, Yuxi is bordered by Kunming to the north, Pu'er to the southwest, Honghe to the southeast, and Chuxiong to the northwest. Known as the "Pearl of Central Yunnan"🎈, Yuxi boasts a rich history and profound cultural heritage. Admire the stunning landscapes, from the magical karst formations and sparkling plateau lakes to the lush primeval forests. As a melting pot of ethnicities, Yuxi is home to the Yi and Hani peoples, among others, whose unique cultures and customs add to the region's allure. Yuxi is also renowned as the "Hometown of Cloud Tobacco," with a long and fascinating tobacco culture.✨ ➤Attraction Highlights ❶Natural Beauty: Explore the unique cave landscapes of Yuxi Cave and the vast plateau lakes, such as Fuxian Lake, with its crystal-clear turquoise waters and breathtaking surrounding scenery🏞. ❷Spring Flower Sea: From March to May, immerse yourself in the vibrant colors of blooming flowers at Nie Er Music Square, Hongta Mountain, and other picturesque locations, perfect for capturing stunning photos🌸. ❸Cultural Experiences: Discover the rich ethnic minority cultures, experience the lively Torch Festival, and admire the distinctive Huayao Dai costumes, all offering a glimpse into the region's diverse traditions🎊. ❹Gastronomic Delights: Indulge in the unique flavors of Yuxi cuisine, from refreshing cold rice noodles to flavorful copper pot fish, a true paradise for food lovers🍜. ➤Recommended Attractions ❶Fuxian Lake (National 4A Scenic Spot) 📍Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟Highlights: Fuxian Lake is the deepest freshwater lake in China, renowned for its exceptional clarity. The crystal-clear waters, surrounded by rolling hills, create a picturesque landscape. Enjoy stunning lake views and a variety of water activities. 🕒Opening Hours: Open 24 hours 💰Ticket Price: Free (separate fees for some attractions and water activities) ✨Recommended Activities: Cycle along the lake, enjoying the gentle breeze and scenic views; relax on the sunny beach, soak up the sun, and play in the sand; experience thrilling water sports like kayaking and sailing; capture the beauty of the sunset over the lake; savor local specialties such as copper pot fish and copper pot potato rice. ❷Yuxi Cave 📍Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟Highlights: Marvel at the unique stalactites and stalagmites within Yuxi Cave, illuminated by colorful lights, creating a magical atmosphere. The diverse formations, resembling animals and waterfalls, showcase the wonders of nature. 🕒Opening Hours: 09:00 - 17:00 💰Ticket Price: approx. CNY 35 ✨Recommended Activities: Join a guided tour to learn about the cave's formation and legends; admire the bizarre stalactites and stalagmites, letting your imagination run wild; take photos while respecting the natural environment; after exploring the cave, savor local farm-fresh cuisine and experience rural life. ❸Nie Er Music Square 📍Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌟Highlights: Built in memory of the renowned musician Nie Er, the uniquely designed square resembles a giant violin. It's a hub for music enthusiasts and a great place to enjoy city views and the spring flower sea. From March to May, the square is adorned with vibrant blossoms, creating a stunning contrast against the modern architecture. 🕒Opening Hours: Open 24 hours 💰Ticket Price: Free ✨Recommended Activities: Stroll through the square and learn about Nie Er's life and achievements; admire the square's unique architectural design and take photos; wander through the flower sea and capture the beauty of spring; enjoy the illuminated night view and experience the vibrancy of Yuxi. ❹Hongta Mountain 📍Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐ 🌟Highlights: Named after the white pagoda built during the Yuan Dynasty atop the mountain, Hongta Mountain is also the symbol of the Hongta Group. Ascend the mountain for panoramic views of Yuxi city. In spring, the mountain is covered in lush greenery and vibrant flowers, offering a refreshing escape. 🕒Opening Hours: Open 24 hours 💰Ticket Price: Free ✨Recommended Activities: Hike along the mountain trails, enjoying the natural scenery; take photos at the foot of the red pagoda and learn about its history and culture; reach the summit for breathtaking city views; relax on a bench and enjoy the spring sunshine and fresh air. ❺Xinping Gasha Huayao Dai Ethnic Cultural Square 📍Recommendation Index: ⭐⭐⭐ 🌟Highlights: This square showcases the vibrant Huayao Dai culture, featuring unique Huayao Dai architecture and sculptures. From March to May, various folk activities offer an immersive cultural experience. Admire the exquisite and colorful Huayao Dai costumes and enjoy captivating dance performances. 🕒Opening Hours: Open 24 hours 💰Ticket Price: Free ✨Recommended Activities: Explore the square's architecture and sculptures, learning about the history and culture of the Huayao Dai people; participate in folk activities, such as bamboo pole dancing; admire the Huayao Dai costume displays and take photos with locals dressed in traditional attire; savor Huayao Dai specialties, such as pickled duck eggs and dried eel. ➤Yuxi Spring Travel Itinerary D1 Arrive in Yuxi➡Fuxian Lake➡Nie Er Music Square D2 Yuxi Cave➡Hongta Mountain➡Xinping Gasha Huayao Dai Ethnic Cultural Square➡Prepare for departure ➤Recommended Travel Time The ideal time to visit Yuxi is from March to May, when the temperature ranges from 15°C to 25°C. The mild climate and sunny weather are perfect for outdoor activities. During spring, Yuxi's natural beauty is at its peak, with blooming flowers and vibrant scenery, making it the best time to explore🎊. ➤Food ❶Yuxi Cold Rice Noodles: Enjoy the smooth texture and rich toppings, including chives, bean sprouts, and sesame seeds, creating a tangy and spicy flavor that locals love😜. ❷Copper Pot Fish: Savor the fresh fish from Fuxian Lake, simmered in a copper pot with unique spices, resulting in a flavorful broth and tender fish🐟. ❸Eel Rice Noodles: Indulge in the delicious combination of fresh eel and smooth rice noodles, creating a rich and satisfying dish🍜. ❹Steamed Pork with Rice Flour: Experience the tender meat and soft rice flour, infused with aromatic spices, a classic Yuxi home-style dish🥩. ❺Soybean Powder Candy: Enjoy the sweet, crispy, and melt-in-your-mouth treat, a traditional Yuxi snack perfect as a souvenir🍬. ➤Accommodation ❶Fuxian Lake View Hotel: Wake up to stunning lake views and the gentle sounds of lapping water, enjoying a relaxing getaway🌊. ❷Downtown Homestays: Located in the city center, these homestays offer convenient access to transportation and local cuisine, providing an authentic experience at an affordable price. ➤Transportation Guide ✈️By Air: Fly to Kunming Changshui International Airport and transfer to Yuxi by car (approx. 1 hr). 🚄By Train: Yuxi Railway Station offers convenient high-speed rail and train connections to Kunming and other cities. The journey from Kunming to Yuxi takes approx. 30 mins. 🚗By Car: Enjoy a scenic road trip with flexible itinerary options. From Kunming, take the Kunmo Expressway (approx. 1 hr).

In Yuxi Flowers bloom on Hongta Mountain Autumn goes and spring comes Where is winter in Yuxi? Depart from Kunming, go to Jianshui Ancient Town, drive around Fuxian Lake, and then check in at the Hongta in Yuxi. Chinese smokers may have a special feeling for the "Hongta Mountain" in Yuxi. Even for non-smokers like me, this name is already familiar. When I saw it, I felt like my dream had come true.

In Yunnan, Yuxi is like a pearl that has been left behind by the world, exuding a charming atmosphere and an endless sense of relaxation, waiting for travelers to explore. Hongta Mountain is undoubtedly a shining symbol of Yuxi. Stroll along the hillside, where large green lawns are dotted with tents, children laughing and running, and kites competing in the sky. At the top of the mountain, the Tobacco Culture Museum is like an elder of history, quietly telling the legendary past of Yuxi tobacco. The rich exhibits in the museum take you through time and let you savor the sediment of the years. Qinghua Street is full of artistic atmosphere. The ancient silver jewelry glows with a warm luster under the lights, the exquisite ceramics tell the ingenuity of craftsmen, and the dazzling array of handicrafts is overwhelming. Strolling through it, you can also encounter various special snacks, such as the sweet and refreshing ice porridge, the soft and glutinous cold cake, the fragrant and rich paoluda, the hot and spicy grilled tofu, the mellow roasted milk fan, and the smooth rice noodles. Each bite is a unique flavor of Yuxi, and each taste can activate your taste buds. Yuxi, this treasure city, is a blend of relaxation and comfort, food and scenery, waiting for you to come and start an unforgettable journey of the soul.

Today we are going to start from Chuxiong and go directly to Jinghong in Xishuangbanna. The route we choose is to go east from Chuxiong to the Kunming Ring Expressway, then turn south through Yuxi and Pu'er to reach Jinghong. The reason why I chose this route was to satisfy my father’s wish. After all, as an old smoker, Yuxi, Yunnan is a place I don’t want to miss at all costs. We set off from Chuxiong at 8 o'clock in the morning and arrived in Yuxi at about 10:30. It is said that Guizhou’s wine and Yunnan’s cigarettes are famous. Yuxi is undoubtedly the capital of Yunnan and cigarettes. After all, it is home to the nationally famous Hongta Group. Our destination is the famous Hongta Mountain. The hill is in the center of Yuxi, facing the gate of Hongta Group. The white tower on the top of the mountain was painted red in the passionate era of the last century. This revolutionary color created the unique Hongta Mountain. , if my impression is correct, only Urumqi in the country still has the Hongta Tower. Hongta Mountain has built a leisure park with the Hongta Tower as the center. You can drive directly to the tower. In front of the tower and up to the gate of Hongta Group is an open lawn slope. The scenery is very beautiful. You can see the smoke rising from the Hongta Group Tobacco Factory in the distance. Here, another city emerged in my mind - Maotai Town, which is also a place prosperous because of enterprises. It is said that tobacco and alcohol do not separate families, so it is reasonable to think of Maotai in Hongta Mountain. There is also a small museum next to Hongta Group, which displays the history and various products of Hongta Group. Of course, all kinds of cigarettes are also sold on site. It is truly a holy place for smokers. Of course, I can’t appreciate the non-smoking one, but look at Hongta Group I also learned a lot about history. In fact, besides cigarettes, Yuxi also has two famous places, one for people and one for lake. Mr. Nie Er, the composer of the national anthem, is from Yuxi, so you can see elements of Nie Er in the streets and alleys of Yuxi. There is also a large Nie Er Park. We originally planned to go shopping, but unfortunately we left it behind yesterday. The rain clouds finally caught up with us in Yuxi, and it was a pity that we were not able to continue the visit. As for the famous Fuxian Lake, we have already planned to arrange it in our future itinerary. Next, we will continue to move forward along the Kunmo Expressway to Jinghong.

We left Gejiu City at dusk, took the Tianhou Expressway and Chengyuan Expressway to Hongta District in Yuxi City, about 175 kilometers away. At night, the office building of the Hongta Group on the hillside was brightly lit with colorful lights, shining brilliantly. Tobacco is one of Yuxi's pillar industries, and Hongta Group is a leader in this industry. The next morning, we drove to Hongta Mountain, passing by the front of Hongta Group, where eight cigarette pillars stood tall outside the gate, clearly indicating the direction of the enterprise. The dense-eaved seven-sided eight-level solid pagoda on Hongta Mountain was first built in the Yuan Dynasty and was originally white. In 1958, the Yuxi Cigarette Factory changed it to red, and with the spirit of innovation and change, Hongta Group was derived from the pagoda and its own struggle. In 2006, the group built the 'Tobacco Culture Museum' behind Hongta, with bronze sculptures in front reflecting the original forms of tobacco planting, harvesting, processing, and selling. Inside the museum, the development history, corporate culture, awards, and product series of the enterprise are displayed. Looking at the cigarettes and prices in the cabinets, one cannot help but sigh at the great contribution made by the vast number of smokers and tobacco enterprises to the economy. Yuxi Museum is about 3 kilometers from Hongta Mountain, a few minutes' drive. The museum offers free admission and free parking. Inside, there are seven basic exhibitions: paleontology, prehistoric culture of Yuxi, bronze culture of Yuxi, porcelain hall, calligraphy and painting hall, history of revolutionary struggles in central Yunnan, and Nie Er and Yuxi literature and art, covering an exhibition area of over 5,000 square meters with more than 20,000 exhibits. After visiting the Yuxi Museum, it was late in the day, and we were hungry, so we navigated to the Lao Ju Dian Restaurant on Phoenix Road for a hearty meal. The restaurant is located in a bustling area of the city, very popular with a constant stream of diners, and has parking available in the courtyard. Nie Er's former residence and Nie Er Park are both near the Lao Ju Dian Restaurant. After the meal, we walked through Nanmen Street, Xinxing Road, and Beimen Street to visit Nie Er's former residence. The streets were filled with countless small merchandise stalls, snack stalls, and fruit stalls, crowded with people. Nie Er's former residence is located at No. 73 and 74 Yongdao Street, a two-story wooden and earthen structure where Nie Er's parents once rented and operated the 'Chengchun Hall' medical clinic, and where Nie Er grew up. The local government funded the renovation, and in 2011 it was opened as the Nie Er Former Residence Memorial Hall, introducing Nie Er's life, study, growth, and artistic career through pictures and texts. Five bronze plaques of various educational bases and one collaborative base plaque hang by the courtyard gate. Nie Er Park is just across the street from Yuxi Museum, with a bronze statue inside seemingly conducting the people in front to sing in unison, aiming to keep his artistic spirit alive. Yuxi has also built the Nie Er Grand Theater and Nie Er Music Square, making great efforts to promote Nie Er and educate the public. From the moment we understood the national anthem, we knew Nie Er, 'marching forward amid enemy fire,' we too must 'advance! advance!'

Yuxi| When the air is filled with the scent of tobacco Besides Fuxian Lake, I think the most worthwhile place to visit in Yuxi is Hongta Mountain. When you walk near the Hongta Group, the air is filled with the scent of tobacco. It's the first time I feel that the scent of tobacco can be pleasant, not passively inhaling secondhand smoke but actively wanting to take a whiff of the tobacco scent mixed in the air. The steps of Hongta Mountain are a bit daunting.

There is a Hongta Park in Yuxi City, Yunnan Province, where the red tower built by the Yuan Dynasty is the original name of Baita. In 1958, it was painted red, so it was renamed Hongtashan. And often see a brand smokers smoked, is Hongtashan, so there is a Hongta Group next to the park, producing Hongtashan cigarettes. said that Hongta Mountain is actually not high. A vast lawn can directly overlook the Red Tower. After going up, there is a smoking culture hall on the right side of the tower. It introduces the history and culture of some cigarettes. Although I don't smoke, I know better about myself and I can better put myself outside the tobacco.