[2025 Tonghai Attraction] Travel Guide for Yuxi Tonghai Xiushan Historical Cultural Park (Updated Mar)

Here's a guide to Tonghai Ancient City, allowing you to better appreciate the charm of this ancient city. Early Preparation - Documents: Bring your ID card, student ID, senior citizen card, and other relevant documents for ticket purchases or discounts. - Clothing: Tonghai has a mild climate, but there are temperature differences between day and night. It is recommended to bring a long-sleeved jacket. - Other items: Prepare sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, an umbrella, comfortable shoes, a portable charger, etc. Transportation Guide - External transportation: From Kunming, you can choose to take the high-speed train, which takes about 1.5 hours to reach Tonghai Station; you can also drive, navigating to Tonghai Ancient City, which takes about 2 hours. - Internal transportation: The ancient city is not large and is suitable for walking tours. If you want to go to farther attractions, you can choose to take the local bus or a taxi. Attraction Check-in - Tonghai Confucian Temple: Originally built in the Yuan Dynasty, the existing buildings were built in the early Qing Dynasty. It is a well-preserved ancient building complex where you can experience the profound Confucian culture. - Xiushan Park: Known as the "Soul of Culture," the park is full of Zen temples, winding paths, and secluded spots. It is the park with the most couplets in China. Climb to the top of the mountain to overlook Qilu Lake and the surrounding scenery. - Sansheng Palace: The six-panel wooden lattice door was created by the master woodcarver Gao Yingmei over 17 years, and each picture contains a story. - Qilu Lake Wetland Park: More than 30 kilometers around the lake, you can hike, cycle, feed seagulls, and enjoy the sunrise and sunset. Food Recommendations - Snacks: Masi Beef Soup with roasted bait blocks, Sister Liu's scallion pancakes, as well as broken crisp buns, sweet white wine, cloud slice cakes, and scissor candy are all worth trying. - Meals: You can try the casserole at Fushunju, as well as other specialties such as Tai Chi Eel and Xingmeng Roasted Duck. Accommodation Options - Tonghai Tongyin Hotel: Located next to the ancient city's pedestrian street, it is convenient for travel and overlooks the ancient city and Qilu Lake. - Xiushan Inn Xiulu Courtyard: Close to Xiushan History and Culture Park and Tonghai Confucian Temple, it has an antique charm and allows you to experience the ancient city's atmosphere.

Tonghai County: A journey through history and nature In the central part of Yunnan, there is a small town kissed by time - Tonghai County, which belongs to Yuxi City. It does not have the hustle and bustle of a big city, but its unique charm attracts countless travelers to explore. Taking advantage of the holiday, I set foot on this charming land and started an unforgettable journey to Tonghai. Tonghai Ancient City: Touching the Veins of Time When I first arrived in Tonghai, I walked straight into Tonghai Ancient City. This ancient city with a history of more than 1,270 years was awarded the title of National Historical and Cultural City in March 2021. Strolling through the historical and cultural districts of Jiuxian and Yucheng, you will be overwhelmed by the ancient and charming atmosphere. There are many shops on the street, and more than 100 ancient houses and historical buildings have been cleverly transformed into homestays, restaurants, and tea bars, full of literary and artistic atmosphere. Walking along the 1.3-kilometer-long bonsai art theme block, you feel like you are in the world of bonsai. Each bonsai is unique and makes people stop to appreciate it. Wenxing Street is filled with a leisurely and comfortable atmosphere. I walked into a specialty snack shop, tasted the local food, and felt the bustling atmosphere of the small town. East Street and West Street are the world of gold and silver jewelry. The exquisite jewelry sparkles in the sun, fully displaying Tonghai's traditional craftsmanship. Xiushan Historical and Cultural Park: Exploring the fusion of nature and culture After leaving the ancient city, I headed to Xiushan Historical and Cultural Park. Xiushan was first built in the Han Dynasty and was expanded and renovated during the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, forming seven ancient building complexes with different styles. As soon as you enter the park, you will see towering ancient trees and lush greenery, as if you have stepped into a green world. Walking slowly along the mountain road, we visited the Yuchengwang Temple, Sanyuan Palace, Puguang Temple, etc. in turn. Each temple has a unique architectural style and profound cultural heritage. The Buddha statues in the temple are solemn and majestic, and the murals are colorful, telling stories of the years. At the Qingliang Terrace, I quietly listened to the ancient music of Tonghai Cave Sutra. The melodious melody traveled through time and space, bringing me into a peaceful and harmonious state. Climbing up to the observation deck, you can have a panoramic view of the beautiful scenery of Tonghai County, which is refreshing and pleasant. Qilu Lake National Wetland Park: Encounter the beauty of nature After leaving Xiushan, I came to Qilu Lake National Wetland Park. The scenery here is pleasant, with lakes and mountains, and it is an ideal place for bird watching and walking. Strolling along the ecological trail around the lake, the breeze brings the fresh scent of the lake water to your face. The lake surface is sparkling, and seagulls fly by from time to time, adding vitality to the tranquil lake. The bonsai sightseeing garden in the wetland park has bonsai with unique shapes that are dazzling to the eyes. I rented a bicycle and rode along the lake, enjoying the beauty of nature. On the way, local residents enthusiastically told me the story of Qilu Lake, which gave me a deeper understanding of this land. Xingmeng Township: Experience the Mongolian Customs The last stop of my trip to Tonghai was Xingmeng Township, which is the place with the largest number of Mongolian people in Yunnan. As soon as you step into Xingmeng Township, the rich Mongolian style hits you in the face, with white yurts scattered around and the melodious sound of horse-head fiddle floating in the air. I visited the national traditional villages and the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty History and Culture Museum to learn about the history and culture of the Mongolian people. In Baihua Lane, you can admire the traditional Mongolian architecture and exquisite handicrafts, and feel their wisdom and creativity. At noon, we tasted Tai Chi eel, roast duck, barbecue and other special foods. The unique flavors were unforgettable. This trip to Tonghai made me fall deeply in love with this small town. Its history and culture, natural scenery and food customs all left a deep impression on me. Tonghai is like a pearl hidden in central Yunnan, waiting for more people to discover its beauty. If you also long for a trip away from the hustle and bustle and back to nature, Tonghai County is definitely the best choice.

In the Ming Dynasty, Xiushan Mountain in Tonghai County was one of the four famous mountains in Yunnan, along with Jinma Mountain and Biji Mountain in Kunming and Cang Mountain in Dali. The mountain peak is 2,060 meters above sea level. The ancient trees on the mountain, such as the ancient cypress from the Song Dynasty and the fragrant cedar from the Yuan Dynasty, are towering. The mountain is known as "the most beautiful mountain in southern Yunnan." There are ancient buildings on Xiushan Mountain, such as Sanyuan Palace, Puguang Temple, Yuhuang Pavilion, Qingliang Terrace, Wanshou Palace, Doutian Pavilion, Yongjin Temple, and Bailong Temple. It is a place where religious culture is concentrated. There is also the former residence of Zhu De, who lived here when he was fighting bandits in Yunnan. The mountain is connected to the Tonghai Confucian Temple and the old street of Tonghai Ancient City, where you can find many restaurants. Xiushan Mountain is now a national 4A-level tourist area. It is accessible by bus from the county seat. The ticket price is CNY 10, and seniors over 60 years old are free of charge. It is a niche but cost-effective place for leisure and sightseeing.

Xiushan Park is located in Tonghai County, next to the ancient city, and is one of the important scenic spots in Yuxi. The peak is 2,060 meters above sea level, with a vertical height of nearly 200 meters. It covers an area of 7.6 square kilometers, with a tourist area of 1.55 million square meters and a building area of more than 50,000 square meters. Xiushan Historical and Cultural Park. In the Ming Dynasty, Xiushan in Tonghai was known as one of the four famous mountains in Yunnan, along with Jinma Mountain and Biji Mountain in Kunming and Cangshan Mountain in Dali. It is known as "the most beautiful mountain in southern Yunnan." The park is home to ancient buildings such as Sanyuan Palace, Puguang Temple, Yuhuang Pavilion, Qingliang Terrace, Wanshou Palace, Doutian Pavilion, Yongjin Temple, and Bailong Temple. It is now a national 4A-level tourist area and a national key cultural relic protection unit. The park ticket is CNY 10. If you like it, you can come and have a look.

Xiushan has a history of more than 2,000 years, dating back to the ancient temple built by General Wu Bo in the Western Han Dynasty, and has left a large number of cultural and natural landscapes. There are more than 100 temples, pavilions, and pagodas on the mountain, which have gone through the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing Dynasties. Today, there are still seven main buildings, including the Jutingwang Temple, Sanyuan Palace, Puguang Temple, Jade Emperor Pavilion, Qingliangtai, Yongjin Temple, and Bailong Temple, forming a colorful and harmonious architectural complex. The numerous ancient buildings on Xiushan have been listed as national key cultural relics protection units, with distinctive features, profound connotations, and the architectural craftsmanship, historical content, and cultural characteristics of the past dynasties. Xiushan has beautiful scenery, with an area of only 7.6 square kilometers, but there are thousands of green peaks, tens of thousands of trees like clouds, green shade covering the sun, and green grass like felt. Moreover, it has its own characteristics with the change of orientation and scenic spots. All year round, the flowers are charming and the scenery is beautiful, all of which are wonderful. Walking in Xiushan, time seems to stand still, everything is so quiet. You can stroll in the corridor and feel the breath of life of the ancients; you can sit on the stone steps and listen to the whispers of the mountains and forests; you can touch the ancient walls and feel the temperature of history. In this ancient building in the mountains and forests, it is like a time traveler, starting an unforgettable crossing journey. 📍Coordinates distance from Kunming🚌1.5h 💲Ticket: 10 yuan

After resigning, I have been on a journey around the Yunnan Grand Loop, playing while looking for a suitable place to live. The current route: Beijing-Kunming-Dali-Weishan-Lincang Yun County-Baoshan-Tengchong-Kunming-Yuxi-Tonghai. Yuxi and Tonghai were both decided temporarily, as they are midway stops between Kunming and Honghe. Since the high-speed train stops here, I decided to explore both. The main city of Yuxi is not particularly high in playability, but the friendly prices of goods and housing, the convenience of shopping and dining, and the less humid climate compared to Tengchong all make it comfortable. For me, the presence of Uniqlo and seafood barbecue already boosts the city's score in my mind. However, compared to Kunming, Yuxi may still lag in terms of transportation and job opportunities (if I want to work in the future). I had no prior knowledge of Tonghai; it was purely a serendipitous stop. But it turned out to be the right choice. Tonghai has a large-scale vegetable planting base with a wide sales radiation range, driving the economy and income of the entire county, and attracting many people from surrounding provinces and cities to work here. Walking in the ancient city of Tonghai, I saw for the first time an ancient city with so many young people (of course, besides the many foreign merchants and tourists at tourist attractions). Tonghai has more young people living and working here, making the entire county look vibrant. The rational population structure ensures that the small town has all the necessary living facilities. Qilu Lake and Xiushan are beautiful natural resources, great places for the elderly and children. The ancient city also has many restaurants and shops that cater to the tastes and lifestyles of young people. In many ways, Tonghai gave me the same feeling as Weishan, but I can't quite pinpoint what it is. Maybe it's the half-open shops in the ancient city, or the beautiful ancient trees, Taoist temples, and Buddhist temples on Xiushan similar to those on Weibao Mountain (both have cats), or the equally clean and tidy streets and alleys. In short, this is a charming place.

A famous state of propriety and music, the most beautiful in southern Yunnan, hides a little Jiangnan in Yunnan. Here, the mountains are clear, the waters are beautiful, the forests are covered, the ancient buildings are well-preserved, and the average temperature in summer is 20 degrees, without the scorching heat, making it a summer retreat. Attraction Recommendations Tonghai Ancient Town Centered around Tonghai Ancient Town, Wenxing Street, and Chongwen Street area, a large number of old houses and ancient buildings are preserved. The layout of the ancient town is compact, distributed along both sides of Wenxing Street. Entering the residences, you will find courtyards with patios, and the exquisite carvings of Jiangnan architecture are integrated into the architectural layout of the Yunnan region. Jukui Pavilion An ancient tower in the center of the ancient town, sitting in the center of the district, was built during the Ming Dynasty. Admission is free Tonghai Confucian Temple Dominating Tonghai Ancient Town is a Confucian temple built against the mountain. It seems that every cultural ancient city has a Confucian temple, but each with a different style. Tonghai's Confucian temple is built against the mountain, with a mountain gate leading to a grand hall. Admission is free Xiushan Park Xiushan Scenic Area, with its secluded paths and dense forests, is dotted with ancient relics such as Puji Temple, Jade Emperor Pavilion, Cool Terrace, and Bailong Temple... Ancient buildings from the Tang Dynasty to the Ming and Qing Dynasties are hidden in the secluded corners of Xiushan Park. Climbing to the top of the mountain, you can also overlook Tonghai Ancient Town. Admission fee is 10 yuan Food Recommendations There are also many time-honored shops on the streets, with shop signs and banners that carry the taste of the years. Scissor candy, bean curd candy, hawthorn cake, cold papaya water, cold shrimp, bubble cake... Accommodation: Recommended near the ancient town, standard rooms starting from 80 yuan.

It takes only 1.5 hours to drive from Kunming to reach this small town nestled against Xiushan Mountain and facing Qilu Lake—Tonghai. If you want to avoid the crowds during the May Day holiday and still go out, Tonghai is a good choice. You can stroll through the old streets, visit the Wen Temple, and see the panoramic view of Tonghai from Xiushan Park. Cai Shen Street—a local market old street where locals go, with lots of snacks!! If you want to return the same day, you can also head to Chengjiang to enjoy the beautiful lake scenery, which is also a nice option~

Xiushan Park - it's really beautiful! 🤜The cultural atmosphere is strong, and the inheritance and protection are very good. Xiushan is really worth going to, you can see the historical marks left behind, and you will be greatly shocked, it is worth slowly feeling. Walking on the mossy stone road, step by step, feeling the road that the ancients have walked, it's like we meet in another space and time. The mottled walls, tall and straight ancient trees, lazy and greedy kittens, hide-and-seek white pheasants, drifting incense... it's really comfortable 😌 👉🏻A whole mountain scattered with ancient buildings, Yongjin Temple, Qingliangtai, Yuhuang Pavilion, Puguang Temple, Bailong Temple... and the Confucian Temple and Museum at the foot of the mountain. The mountain is very quiet, ancient cypress, ancient fir, ancient pine, moss, ferns, wild flowers and wild grasses are free, and each ancient courtyard is full of potted plants, hydrangeas, camellias and various old bonsai. Climbing the mountain while visiting hundreds of years of courtyards, the harvest is full. 📍Inside Xiushan Historical and Cultural Park, Tonghai County, Yuxi City, Yunnan Province