Yuxi Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 玉溪 (yù xī)
Population: 2,389,000
Area: 15,258 square kilometers (5,891 square miles)
Location: in the southeast of Yunnan, southwest China
Administrative Division: 2 districts (Hongta, Jiangchuan); 4 counties (Chengjiang, Tonghai, Huaning, Yimen); 3 autonomous counties (Eshan Yi Ethnic Minority Autonomous County, Xinping Yi and Dai Ethnic Minorities Autonomous County, Yuanjiang Hani, Yi and Dai Ethnic Minorities Autonomous County)
Area Code: 0877
Zip Code: 653100
GDP (2019): CNY 194.971 billion (USD 28.261 billion)
Nationalities: Han, Yi, Hani, Dai, Hui, Mongolia, Bai

Located in the middle of Yunnan Province, Yuxi is adjacent to Kunming, the capital of Yunnan to the north, Puer to the southwest, Honghe to the southeast, and Chuxiong to the northwest. Yuxi is the world's first-class production base of high-quality tobacco. Most of them are acquired by Hongta Tobacco Group, the largest modern cigarette enterprise in China and the fifth in the world. Yuxi is also home to Nie’ er, a well-known Chinese musician who wrote the national anthem of the People's Republic of China.

With Fuxian, Xingyun and Qilu lakes adjacent to each other, Yuxi showcases beautiful and charming water landscapes. The popular scenic spots of Yuxi are mainly distributed in Chengjiang, Jiangchuan and Xinping counties.

Attractions - Things to Do

 Chengjiang Fossil Site, Mt. Mopan Scenic Area, Mt. Yuanlao Scenic Area, Mt. Xiushan, Mt. Maotian, Fuxian Lake, Xingyun Lake, Yudai River

 Recreation: Nie Er Park, Huilong Ecological Park, Xiangbi Hot Spring

 Tourist Resorts of Ethnic Minorities: Eshan, Yuanjiang and Xinping

Yuxi Museum

A Statue of Nie Er

How to Get to Yuxi

From Kunming, it takes approximately two hours by train. There are two bus stations in Yuxi. The Central Bus Station is located near the crossroad on Shanhu Rd. Buses to Kunming and other provincial cities start from there every day. The Chengxi Bus Station is located on Qixing Street, from where visitors can go to Yuanjiang, Chengjiang, Jiangchuan and other counties. The city-buses here are quite convenient and cheap. The general ticket is from CNY1 to CNY2 per person.

The area enjoys a subtropical plateau monsoon climate, which blesses it with all-like-spring four seasons all year round. The hottest month is June while the coldest is in December or January. Best time to visit the region is between summer and autumn. Because of the high temperature difference between morning and night, you'd better take a coat when you go there in spring or autumn. 

 History: Yuxi was once the core area of Yunnan Province during the Previous Qin Dynasty (period before 221BC). In the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD), it became a county of Yizhou Shire. The following dynasties witnessed the continuous separations and unifications of the area. It was not until 1997 that Yuxi became a prefecture-level city of the Republic of China.

 Physical Features: This area is in the west edge of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with complex geographic features including mountains, valleys, lakes, plateaus and basins. Fuxian Lake is China's second deepest lake. The whole area extends from high northwest to low southeast. The urban city is about 1,630 meters (1,782 yards) above the sea level.

 Special Local Products: Endowed with pleasant climate, it is rich in crops and tobacco leaves, hence its honor 'Barn of Middle Yunnan Province' and 'Hometown of Yunnan Tobacco'. Yuxi Cigarette Company (Hongta Group) has become a famous cigarette making company. Its product brands such as Hongtashan, Ashima and Hongmei have been popular for many years in China. The area also has beautiful natural sceneries and colorful cultures. Various festivals, dances, musics and folk cultures of different ethnic minority groups should not be missed when traveling here. In addition, it is the hometown of Nie Er (1912-1935), the famous musician who has wrote many revolution songs including China's present national anthem.

 Local Highlights: Handicrafts: Tonghai silver decorations and cloth umbrella
Foods: Tonghai bean powder candy; sesame pieces; Huaning dried rice noodles; 'three treasures' on Mt. Yuanlao (beet, Citou Cai-a kind of potherb with thorns and Yangnai Cai (a kind of potherb with sheep-milk-like juice))