[2025 Qujing Restaurant] Travel Guide for Zhan yi gong shi la zi Chicken (zhan yi) (Updated Oct)

While tourists flock to Dali and Lijiang in Yunnan, the savvy have quietly slipped into Qujing! This gateway to eastern Yunnan hides the crystal-clear waters and red mountains at the source of the Pearl River, 400-million-year-old ancient fish fossils, and the millennia-old Cuàn culture code. Keep this late autumn mountain and water culture guide handy to experience a uniquely Yunnan flavor! ✨ "Mountain and Water Wonders Checklist" 1️⃣ Zhanyi Pearl River Source Scenic Area Chase the romance of the Pearl River’s very first drop! Golden autumn pine forests, crystal-clear blue lakes reflecting Yi villages, hike Ma Xiong Mountain following Xu Xiake’s footsteps, and snap a time-travel photo at the “One Drop of Water Crossing Three Rivers” boundary marker. 2️⃣ Luoping Jiulong Waterfall Group Encounter the gentle autumn colors of the ten-tiered waterfalls! Unlike the wild summer flow, autumn waterfalls hang like silver ribbons. Take a bamboo raft close to the “First Waterfall of Jiulong,” where there’s a 90% chance of seeing a rainbow in the mist. 3️⃣ Luliang Colored Sand Forest Enter a 3-million-year-old geological maze! Red, yellow, white, and green sand peaks shine even more brilliantly under the autumn sun. Wait until dusk to see the sand patterns form a natural ink painting in the slanting light—every shot looks like a scene from "Ghost Blows Out the Light." 4️⃣ Huize Nian Lake The tranquil time before the return of the black-necked cranes! By late October, morning mist begins to settle on the lake, with dead trees, golden forests, and blue water composing a Monet-like canvas. Veteran photographers have already set up their gear, waiting for the November migratory bird flocks. ✨ "Cultural Code Unlock Guide" 1️⃣ Cuàn Culture Twin Stele Exploration At Qujing No.1 High School, meet the “Southern Stele Treasure” Cuàn Baozi Stele, whose smooth and simple strokes record the evolution from clerical to regular script in Chinese characters. Then head to Luliang to see the towering Cuàn Longyan Stele and feel the millennium grandeur of the “Southern Border’s Unique Presence.” 2️⃣ Huize Ancient City Copper Merchant Memories Walk on bluestone slabs into the Ming and Qing dynasty copper capital! The exquisite wood carvings of the Jiangxi Guild Hall tell the legendary stories of horse caravans. Don’t forget to drink a bowl of Pu’er tea brewed by Yi elders under the giant “Jiajing Tongbao” copper coin sculpture on the street. 3️⃣ Liaohu Ancient Village Pottery Revival Handcraft wood-fired pottery in this thousand-year-old pottery town! Follow the intangible cultural heritage inheritor to throw clay from the Nanpan River on the wheel, carve Cuàn script characters into the cup bottoms, and after firing, receive a “time gift” mailed from the ancient village. ✨ "Autumn Limited Experiences" ▪️ Dàhǎi Cǎoshān Pasture Stroll Gallop freely on 200,000 acres of golden meadows! At 3,600 meters altitude, the sea of clouds is within reach. Yi herders will teach you to weave grass grasshoppers, and at night, stay in starry sky tents waiting for the Milky Way to fall over the mountains. ▪️ Nizhu River Canyon Wild Adventure Hike the secret realm beneath Asia’s highest bridge! The 700-meter drop twin waterfalls are even more refreshing in autumn. Ancient banyan trees on the cliffs bear wild kiwis, and lucky adventurers might find trilobite fossils. ▪️ Keyi Black Yi Bonfire Night Ride a small train through colorful terraced fields! Learn the “Jumping Moon” dance by Crescent Spring, and when the bonfire lights up, gather with Yi sisters around the fire to feast on freshly roasted lamb legs. Cultural Exploration Route: Day 1 Qujing City (Cuàn Stele + Museum) → Day 2 Liaohu Ancient Village (Pottery + Guangji Bridge) → Day 3 Huize Ancient City (Copper Coins + Confucian Temple) Mountain and Water Leisure Route: Day 1 Pearl River Source + Keyi Black Yi → Day 2 Jiulong Waterfalls + Colored Sand Forest → Day 3 Nian Lake + Dàhǎi Cǎoshān 🚗 "Travel Tips" ✅ Kunming high-speed train reaches Qujing in 0.5 hours; car rental recommended for self-driving ✅ Mountain roads have many curves; beginners should be cautious on the Nizhu River section ✅ Hidden perk: Show a three-day high-speed train ticket for a 10% discount on some scenic area tickets 🍜 "Taste Code" • Breakfast: Qujing steamed rice noodles with bone soup • Lunch: Zhanyi spicy chicken + Fuyuan konjac tofu • Dinner: Xuanwei ham hot pot + Huize fried potatoes • Bonus: Luliang Ma Yi Sanzi snack with wild honey water

Qujing is a scenic and historically rich area in eastern Yunnan Province, known for its unique natural landscapes, diverse ethnic cultures, and delicious cuisine. I have prepared a detailed three-day itinerary to help you fully experience the charm of Qujing. 🌄 Yunnan Qujing Three-Day Tour Itinerary ✨ Trip Highlights · Deep integration of natural wonders and cultural history: Over three days, you will not only admire the karst landforms (Colorful Sand Forest), spectacular waterfalls, and alpine meadows but also explore the ancient city to trace the history of the Ming and Qing dynasties, experiencing a comprehensive journey from nature to culture. · High cost-performance food experience: Qujing is one of the important birthplaces of Dian cuisine. For about 500 RMB per person, you can taste authentic Xuanwei ham, Zhanyi spicy chicken, steamed rice noodles, and other local specialties, enjoying a diverse culinary feast from street snacks to authentic restaurant dishes. · Flexible experience suitable for all seasons: The itinerary is designed to highlight Qujing’s seasonal features. Whether it’s the rapeseed flower sea in spring, waterfalls and meadows in summer, colorful dawn redwoods in autumn, or the ancient city’s winter charm, you can adjust according to the actual situation to ensure the best experience any time of year. 📌 Preparation Before the Trip Qujing is located on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with high altitude, strong UV rays, and large temperature differences between day and night. It is recommended to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and warm jackets for the temperature changes. Comfortable sports shoes are advised as some attractions require walking. Documents: ID card, student ID (some attractions may offer discounts) Clothing: Prepare appropriate clothes according to the season. In summer, breathable long-sleeve shirts, T-shirts, and long pants; in spring and autumn, bring jackets; in winter, down jackets or thick coats. Bright-colored clothes are recommended for better photos. Medicine: Common medicines such as stomach medicine, cold medicine, band-aids, and altitude sickness medication (depending on personal condition). Others: Power bank, camera, some cash (signal may be poor in some mountainous areas). 🏞 Detailed Itinerary Day 1: Exploring Natural Wonders · Morning: Depart from Qujing city to Luliang Colorful Sand Forest (about 1.5 hours by car). This is a national 4A-level tourist attraction formed by weathering and erosion, featuring layered sand peaks mainly in red, yellow, and white, with accents of green, blue, black, and gray. The colors change beautifully with the seasons, weather, sunlight, and viewing angles. You can visit the sand sculpture group filmed in "Joy of Life," wear functional-style outfits to shoot sci-fi scenes among the red sandstone peaks, and use a drone in cloud mode to capture Mars-like visuals. The park also has cultural sites like Cuan Bridge, Cuan Mansion Xuanmen, and Cuan History reliefs worth visiting. · Noon: Have lunch at "Majie Steamed Rice Noodles" in Luliang County. Steamed rice noodles are a Qujing specialty made from ground rice batter, soft and chewy, served with "hat" (pickled vegetables + meat sauce + crushed peanuts). Remember to add braised beef and sweet soy sauce for the authentic local flavor. · Afternoon: Head to Luoping Jiulong Waterfall Group (about 2 hours by car). Known as one of China’s six most beautiful waterfalls, the ten-tiered waterfall resembles a silver dragon coiled in the canyon. It’s recommended to take the cable car from the east gate to the top and hike down to view the waterfalls, taking wedding dress-style photos at the second waterfall viewing platform. In summer, when water flow is abundant, you can also take a bamboo raft to get close to the spectacular "First Waterfall of Jiulong." · Evening: Stay at the Wyndham Hotel in Luliang (a new five-star hot spring hotel opening in 2025) and relax in the hot springs to relieve the day’s fatigue. If you prefer not to dine at the hotel, try local specialties like Ma Yi Sanzi and sour soup pig’s feet in Luliang County. Day 2: History and Countryside Charm · Morning: After breakfast, drive 1.5 hours to Huize Ancient City. Huize Ancient City is a nationally recognized historical and cultural city with well-preserved Ming and Qing architecture, telling the story of the "Hometown of Money Kings." Visit Jiangxi Guild Hall, Tang Jiyao’s former residence, buy the three-hour limited sugar leg broken pastry at the old east gate, and try the handmade copper inlay DIY (80 RMB/person). · Noon: Have lunch at "Tongxiang Renjia" in the ancient city, recommended dishes include copper hot pot and buckwheat cakes, paired with Huize’s special thin bean powder, which is delicate and flavorful. · Afternoon: Head to Dahai Caoshan (about 1.5 hours by car). Dahai Caoshan stands at 4,017 meters, stretching out in the mist. You can hike through 200,000 mu of alpine meadows, where wildflowers bloom in summer and you might encounter shepherd flocks. Take fresh, Japanese-style photos at the wind turbine group on the summit. Standing on the peak, you can touch drifting clouds and watch herds of cattle and sheep grazing leisurely, feeling as if you’ve stepped into a Swiss pasture! · Evening: Stay at the Dahai Caoshan Starry Sky Tent Camp, perfect for stargazing in summer. If you prefer not to stay on the mountain, you can return to Huize County and stay at a riverside antique-style guesthouse. Day 3: Pearl River Source and City Life · Morning: After breakfast, head to the Pearl River Source Scenic Area (60 km from Qujing city). This is the source of the Pearl River. You can hike Mount Maxiong, check in at the "One Drop of Water Feeds Three Rivers" geographic landmark, and explore underground river caves. If you visit in April, you can enjoy the stunning azalea sea (in June, replace with secret hiking trails). · Noon: Enjoy an ecological fish feast at the scenic area, with a recommended copper pot boiled fish. · Afternoon: Return to Qujing city and visit Nan Chengmen Square. This is an excellent spot for cityscape photography. The west side of the city gate has a long corridor for symmetrical shadow shots, with dramatic noon lighting; the east side Lantern Street offers blue hour night scenes—wear a black coat and red scarf for full atmosphere. If you happen to be there on a Saturday at 9:00 AM, you can watch the city opening ceremony with an ancient costume honor guard, very immersive. · Evening: Before leaving, buy small jars of Xuanwei ham at "Dian Yi Tang" on Qilin Lane and vacuum-packed Qujing leek flowers at "Fu Pai Yuanzi" as souvenirs. 🍽 Food Recommendations Qujing’s cuisine is rich and diverse. Here are some must-try specialties: Dish Name Recommended Place Features Approximate Price Qujing Steamed Rice Noodles Lao Wang Steamed Rice Noodles (Main Store), Qilin District Soft and chewy noodles with "hat" (pickled vegetables + meat sauce + crushed peanuts) About 10 RMB/bowl Zhanyi Spicy Chicken Gong’s Spicy Chicken, Qilin District Spicy but not throat-burning, served with sour radish soup About 50 RMB/person Xuanwei Ham Dian Yi Tang, Qilin Lane Three-year aged ham slices translucent like agate, fresh and sweet when eaten raw Small jar about 30-50 RMB Huize Thin Bean Powder Snack stalls in Huize Ancient City Delicate and flavorful About 5-10 RMB/bowl Luliang Salted Duck Shalin Restaurant, Luliang Colorful Sand Forest Salty and firm duck meat stir-fried with millet chili About 40-60 RMB/serving 💡 Practical Information Transportation Guide · Arriving in Qujing: You can first arrive at Kunming Changshui International Airport, then take high-speed rail or bus to Qujing. The high-speed rail takes about half an hour; some cities have direct flights to Qujing. From Kunming to Qujing North Station by high-speed rail is 40 minutes; from Guangzhou to Qujing North Station is 6 hours. · City transportation: Public buses and taxis are convenient in Qujing. Renting a car for self-driving to attractions offers more freedom. Car rental costs about 400-600 RMB/day (SUVs recommended for safety in remote areas). Bus line 3 connects Nan Chengmen, Qilin Water Town, and other attractions, fare 2 RMB per ride. Best Travel Time · February to March: Best time to see the Luoping rapeseed flower sea, with 800,000 mu of blooming flowers creating a beautiful scene. · June to August: Summer is great for escaping the heat, enjoying meadow wildflowers, and the Jiulong Waterfall’s peak water flow for spectacular views. · November: Good time to visit the Colorful Sand Forest with less rainfall. Budget Estimate (per person) Cost Type Budget (RMB) Comfortable (RMB) Accommodation 150-200/night 400-600/night Meals 100-150/day 200-300/day Transportation 200-300/day 500-600/day Tickets 100-150/day 150-200/day Total (3 days) About 1350-2400 About 3750-5100 Notes 1. Weather preparation: June is rainy in Qujing; bring a folding umbrella and waterproof shoes. The Jiulong Waterfall is spectacular during high water but slippery. 2. Sun protection: Strong plateau UV requires SPF50+ sunscreen plus physical protection. 3. Itinerary planning: Huize Ancient City is closed on Mondays, plan accordingly. Nan Chengmen Square area is prone to weekend traffic jams; avoid peak times. 4. Respect customs: Respect local Yi, Bouyei, and other ethnic customs; do not take close-up photos of people in villages without permission. 5. Safety tips: Jiulong Waterfall area has many mountain bends (about 20); drive slowly and carefully. Hope you have a wonderful holiday in Qujing! 🎉 If you have any other questions, feel free to ask.

5-Day Essential Itinerary - Day 1: Qujing City Tour. Arrive in Qujing in the morning and visit Liaokuo Park to admire the elegant pavilions and winding paths. Climb Jingning Pagoda for a panoramic city view. In the afternoon, explore Qujing Museum to learn about the city's history and culture. In the evening, head to South City Gate to enjoy the ancient tower's night view and sample local snacks nearby. - Day 2: Qilin District Nature Tour. Visit Qilin Water Town in the morning to experience Jiangnan-style scenery with small bridges and flowing water, along with rich ethnic culture. In the afternoon, go to Zhujiangyuan (Pearl River Source) to discover the river's origin and enjoy forests, streams, and waterfalls. - Day 3: Luoping Scenery Tour. Arrive in Luoping in the morning and visit Jinji Peak Cluster to marvel at the karst landscape and rapeseed flower fields (best viewed after Chinese New Year). In the afternoon, explore Jiulong Waterfall Group with its ten-tiered waterfalls. - Day 4: Shizong Cultural Experience. Visit Shizong Phoenix Valley in the morning to experience ethnic culture and unique natural landscapes. In the afternoon, see the colorful sand formations at Shizong Colored Sand Forest. - Day 5: Huize History & Nature Tour. Visit Huize Ancient Town in the morning to see Ming-Qing architecture like Huize Confucian Temple and ancient city walls. In the afternoon, go to Daicao Mountain to enjoy alpine meadows and pristine forests. Food Recommendations - Spicy Chicken: Gong's Spicy Chicken in Zhanyi features tender meat with aromatic chili. - Steamed Ersi Noodles: Jingchenyuan's chewy noodles served with free bone broth are delicious. - Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles: Huiqiaoyuan's version comes with rich toppings and flavorful broth. - Huize Ham: Tender and fragrant ham from Huize Ancient Town. - Potatoes: Qujing's roasted potatoes can be paired with 20+ seasonings for varied flavors. Accommodation Suggestions - Qujing City: Atour Hotel Qilin Commercial Street offers great location near South City Gate with many dining options. - Luoping: Choose hotels or inns in Luoping County for convenient access. - Huize: Stay at charming ancient-style inns like Huize Yunshang Xiaozhu near the old town. Transportation Guide - External: First reach Kunming, then take a 1-hour high-speed train or bus to Qujing. - Internal: Use buses, taxis, or ride-hailing in Qujing. For distant sites like Luoping or Huize, take long-distance buses or rent a car.