Qujing

Qujing is the first city at the source of the Pearl River and the birthplace of Cuan culture. The cost of living is relatively low and the city is not highly commercialized. Here, you can see 800,000 mu of rapeseed flowers and karst peaks and forests, as well as a thousand-year-old ancient town and subalpine meadows. It is well suited to a leisurely short trip that combines natural scenery with local food.

Classic 5-Day, 4-Night Itinerary

• Day 1 (Arrival and a leisurely city stroll): After arriving in Qujing, check in to a hotel in the city center. In the afternoon, head to Liaokuo Park and climb the tower for panoramic views of the city. In the evening, visit South City Gate and Ximen Old Street. For local snacks at night, try Qilin Lane Night Market or Huake Night Market.

• Day 2 (Luoping route · peak clusters and waterfalls): Get up early and head to the Jinji Peak Cluster to watch the sunrise and morning mist. In the morning, drive to the Jiulong Waterfall Cluster and follow the trails to take in the scale of its ten-tiered cascades. Stay overnight in Luoping County.
• Day 3 (Luliang route · colorful sand forest): Travel from Luoping to the Luliang Colorful Sand Forest. In the afternoon, the sunlight brings out the rich colors of the sand formations, making this a good time for landscape photography. Return to Qujing city in the evening, or go to Zhanyi to try spicy chicken.
• Day 4 (Huize route · grass mountain and ancient town): Get up early and travel to Huize’s Dahai Grass Mountain. Among the highland meadows, see wind turbines, cattle, and sheep, and take in the plateau scenery known as “Yunnan’s Little New Zealand.” In the afternoon, descend the mountain and visit Huize Ancient Town to experience the everyday atmosphere of this thousand-year-old copper capital. Stay overnight in Huize or return to Qujing.
• Day 5 (A relaxed finish and departure): Keep the morning easy. Visit the Cuan Culture Museum, located inside Qujing No. 1 High School, to see thousand-year-old stone inscriptions, or take a boat ride at Qilin Water Town. Have a bowl of steamed ersi for lunch, then begin your journey home.

Qujing’s Must-Try Foods

Qujing’s local cuisine combines the fresh flavors of Yunnan with the spicy character of Sichuan cuisine. Prices are relatively low, making it easy to stroll around the city while sampling local snacks.

Transportation and Accommodation Tips

• Getting there: The high-speed train from Kunming South Railway Station to Qujing North Railway Station takes about 40 minutes and costs just over 20 yuan. Regular trains from Kunming Railway Station to Qujing Railway Station take about 1.5 hours, with a hard-seat ticket costing only 23.5 yuan, making this an inexpensive trip.
• Getting around the city: Qujing’s urban area is not very large. Shared electric scooters and taxis are both convenient, and buses can also reach the main attractions.
• Getting to nearby areas: Luoping, Luliang, and Huize are relatively far from the city center, so you can travel by rental car, chartered car, or long-distance bus. If using public transportation, confirm the time of the last bus in advance so it does not affect your return plans.
• Where to stay: In the city, consider staying around South City Gate, Ximen Old Street, or Qilin District, which are convenient for visiting attractions and restaurants. Chain hotels cost about 100–200 yuan per night. When visiting nearby areas, you can also spend a night in Luoping or Huize County.

Practical Tips and Things to Watch Out For

• Temperature changes and clothing: Qujing has noticeable temperature differences between morning and evening. If you plan to watch the sunrise at Dahai Grass Mountain or in Luoping, bring a warm coat. Summer showers are common, so carrying rain gear is practical.
• Driving reminder: Some visitors report that traffic-violation cameras in Qujing are strict. Even minor violations, such as crossing the line while turning, may result in fines and demerit points. Pay close attention to road markings and traffic signals when driving.
• Mushroom safety: During mushroom season from July to September, if you try wild mushrooms such as jianshouqing, choose a reputable restaurant and make sure the ingredients are thoroughly fried or boiled. Do not eat leftover dishes the next day.
• Market-day experience: To get a glimpse of local daily life, visit Fenglai Market Fair on Tuesdays or Fridays, or Shuizhai Farmers’ Market on Wednesdays or Saturdays. Lamb soup, beef soup, and fresh fruit are inexpensive, with a good variety available.
• Attraction tickets: Many attractions in Qujing, such as the Jinji Peak Cluster, Huize Ancient Town, and Liaokuo Park, do not charge admission. Paid attractions such as the Colorful Sand Forest and Jiulong Waterfall are also relatively affordable, so avoid overpriced options when choosing a day-tour package.