Northeast Yunnan

Northeast Yunnan comprises Qujing and Zhaotong: in spring, Luoping's rapeseed flower sea and Jiulong Waterfalls; in winter, wintering black-necked cranes and canyon scenery at Dashanbao in Zhaotong.

Northeast Yunnan is defined here by Yunnan's six tourism zones and combines Qujing and Zhaotong. Qujing is the eastern gateway of Yunnan, adjoining Guizhou and Guangxi; Zhaotong lies in the Wumeng Mountains, bordering Sichuan and Guizhou, where Yunnan culture meets Bashu culture. Highlights: Luoping in Qujing is famed for its vast rapeseed flower fields in early spring, and Jinji Peak Cluster, Luosi Fields and the Jiulong Waterfall Group are the classic spots in blossom season; the Duoyi River scenic area offers a taste of Buyi culture. Qujing also has Huize Ancient City, historically an important copper-trading town that retains several guild halls; Huize's Dahai Grass Mountain and the Zhujiang River Source in Zhanyi are also worth a visit. The Dashanbao Black-necked Crane National Nature Reserve in Zhaotong is an important wintering ground for black-necked cranes, which you can watch up close in winter; Jigongshan Grand Canyon is a magnificent landscape good for photography; Yanjin's Doushaguan is a key pass on the ancient "Five-Foot Road." Classic itineraries: the Luoping rapeseed season, 2–3 days, which can be combined with Wanfenglin in Xingyi, Guizhou, or the Guangxi direction; crane-watching at Dashanbao, 2 days, which can be linked with Huize Ancient City for a 3–4-day Northeast Yunnan route. Getting around: Kunming is the main entry and exit point; the Shanghai–Kunming high-speed line and the Nanning–Kunming railway pass through Qujing, and Luoping has a railway station; Zhaotong Airport has flights, and the Chongqing–Kunming high-speed line passes through Zhaotong; for high-altitude areas such as Dashanbao, self-drive or a chartered car is best. Practical notes: Dashanbao is at high altitude, with bitter cold and possible ice in winter, so dress warmly and drive carefully; on weekends in the rapeseed season, visitors are many, so set out early to avoid the peak.

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Itineraries