[2025 Tonghai Attraction] Travel Guide for Qilu Lake (Updated Jul)

【Day 1: Exploring the Ancient City】 Step into Tonghai Ancient Town while the morning mist still lingers, and you'll find the vermilion doors of the Confucian Temple already half-open🪔. The 600-year-old ginkgo tree sheds golden leaves in the morning light, while bronze bells under the upturned eaves chime gently in the wind, creating the illusion of brushing shoulders with Ming and Qing dynasty scholars on their way to imperial examinations. Heading north along the bluestone path, weathered brick walls hide memories of the ancient Tea Horse Road, while copper kettles outside old teahouses still steam with the essence of bygone days. In the afternoon, climb the steps up Mount Xiu🌿, where ancient cypress trees line stone steps worn smooth by the passage of time. The Ming dynasty entrance gate of Yongjin Temple still stands tall, with the plaque reading "Most Beautiful in Southern Yunnan" reflecting shifting cloud shadows. The Qingleng Terrace halfway up the mountain is perfect for a rest; from the railings, you can see the overlapping gray-tiled roofs of the ancient town, like boats anchored in a sea of time. Before sunset, stroll to Juikui Pavilion, a three-tiered Ming dynasty structure that stands like a frozen morning bell. As wind chimes at the eaves harmonize with returning birds, the entire city bathes in amber twilight🌇. Remember to look for the century-old bronze mirror at the corner of the tower—it reflects not just your face, but also the unspoken vicissitudes of this ancient town. 【Day 2: Dialogue Between Lake and Mountain】 At dawn, Qilu Lake shimmers like silver silk🚣♂. Walking along the lakeside boardwalk, white egrets startle from the reeds, while fishermen's wooden oars break the mirror-like surface, creating ripples like annual rings. The Sansheng Palace by the lake houses astonishing wood carvings—on six latticed doors, fifty relief sculptures tell stories from the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," with the edge of the Green Dragon Crescent Blade still appearing sharp after three hundred years. In the afternoon, take a boat to explore Gushan Island⛵, which floats on the emerald waves like a green spiral shell. The remaining ancient stage faces the clouds of southern Yunnan, while wild chrysanthemums bloom stubbornly in the crevices between stone steps. Yinghai Tower at the highest point is ideal for gazing into the distance—sunlight shatters the lake water into countless scales, blurring the distinction between moving clouds and flowing mountains. Before leaving, remember to mail a postcard from the old post office at the south gate of the ancient town📮. The weathered green mailbox swallows your current mood, while light filtered through cast-iron window grilles falls on the old Republic-era scale at the counter. Around the corner, you might encounter an elderly woman selling velvet flowers from a shoulder pole, the begonia flowers at her temples as vibrant as this ancient town—always maintaining a gentle vitality amidst the vicissitudes of time🌸. ✨Tip: Wear comfortable cloth shoes to feel the temperature of the ancient town; the flying eaves of Juikui Pavilion at dusk and the misty waves of Qilu Lake at dawn are best captured as ink-wash silhouettes.

Here's a Tonghai travel guide for your reference: Transportation - External Transportation: From Kunming, you can take the high-speed train or bus to Tonghai. High-speed train tickets cost around CNY 46, and bus tickets are about CNY 40. - Internal Transportation: Shared bikes are available within the county seat, making it convenient to travel to places like Qilu Lake. You can also take taxis or ride-hailing services. Attractions - Xiushan Historic and Cultural Park: A national AAAA-level tourist area located in the southern corner of the county seat. Historically a sacred place for Buddhism and Taoism, it is one of the four famous mountains in Yunnan and enjoys the reputation of "the most beautiful mountain in southern Yunnan." It boasts numerous historical sites, ancient trees such as Song Dynasty cypresses, Yuan Dynasty firs, and Ming Dynasty magnolias, as well as many ancient building complexes and couplets, forming a landscape of "a sea of plaques and couplets" and a "forest of steles." Entry fee: CNY 10. - Tonghai Ancient City: With a history of over a thousand years, the ancient city extends in four directions from the Ju Kui Pavilion at its center. Inside the ancient city, bluestone roads, red walls, and green tiles, along with simple streets and ancient courtyards, are well-preserved, filled with historical charm. Take a stroll and experience the ancient city's ambiance. - Qilu Lake: An important water scenic spot in Tonghai County and one of the nine major lakes on the Yunnan Plateau. The lake water is clear, the surface shimmers, and the surrounding area features wetlands, grasslands, and other natural landscapes. It's a great place for birdwatching and leisurely walks. You can also take a sightseeing bus tour around the lake at Nagu Town Xiaohai Park for CNY 25 per person, lasting 2 hours. - Tonghai Confucian Temple: Located at No. 18 Shuncheng Street, Tonghai County, this is a single-structure combined ancient building complex. Originally built in the Yuan Dynasty, it underwent renovations and expansions during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Its architectural style blends Ming and Qing characteristics. The temple houses a large number of ancient inscriptions, wood carvings, stone carvings, and other cultural relics, holding high artistic and historical value. - Najia Ying Mosque: Located near No. 16 Wenhua Road, Nagu Town, this mosque was originally built in the Ming Dynasty. Its unique architectural style blends traditional Chinese architecture with Islamic architectural features. The exquisite wood carvings, stone carvings, and colorful paintings inside the temple demonstrate superb craftsmanship. Food Recommendations - Copper Hot Pot: Simmered in rich broth, with a combination of meat and vegetables, it offers a delicious flavor. - Taiji Eel: A Tonghai Mongolian specialty, featuring live eels cooked in a pot, offering a unique taste. - Xingmeng Roasted Duck: Sweet, tender, and uniquely flavorful. - Tonghai Cold Cake: Soft, glutinous, sweet, and a perfect summer treat. - Tonghai Bean Powder Candy: Sweet, crispy, and a famous local specialty. Accommodation Recommendations - Budget-friendly: Tonghai Yongqing Hotel, located on Xiushan West Road, Xiushan Town, offers convenient transportation, affordable prices, and complete facilities. Tonghai Yunshang Yinxiang Theme Hotel, located on Changhong Road, Xiushan Town, offers a pleasant environment and good facilities. - Upscale and Comfortable: Tonghai Tongyin Hotel, built to four-star standards, is located at the north gate of the county seat, right next to the ancient city pedestrian street, making shopping and sightseeing very convenient.

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.

☕Li's Coffee 📍Address: 8 Wenmiao St, Tonghai County, Yuxi, Yunnan 🕙Opening hours: 10:00-22:00 💰Average price: CNY 20 🍲Recommended dishes: Bean foam coffee 🌟Highlights: Tonghai limited edition: Bean foam coffee, very mellow, with a strong bean foam flavor, not bitter or astringent, rich foam. ❤Recommendation: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ On July 19, 2024, I came to Yuxi, Yunnan, to start my summer vacation. I went to Tonghai County, where there is a large Confucian temple, a beautiful Xiushan Park, a special museum, and the beautiful Qilu Lake. Coming down from the Confucian temple, there is a pedestrian street paved with stone slabs, and there is a two-story building at the entrance of the street. As a coffee lover, I saw this very quiet coffee shop.

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.

⛳️You will regret not coming earlier, I know Yunnan is beautiful, but I didn't expect Yuxi in Yunnan to be so beautiful. Once you come, you won't want to go back home~ ⛳️Here is a detailed travel guide, please save it! ⛳️Recommended must-visit attractions: ✅Wenxing Street (walking or self-driving) A great spot for taking photos, it's really photogenic. ✅Wen Temple (walking) Just walk straight down Wenxing Street, turn right at the fork, and you'll be there. ✅Xiushan (scenic area, adults 10r students 5r) Just to enjoy the scenery, remember to bring water and snacks. ✅Qilu Lake It's a bit far to walk, it's recommended to ride a yellow bike or take a 🚗. ✅Fuxian Lake Yunnan's 'Little Maldives🇲🇻'. ✅Nie Er Music Square A landmark building, suitable for walking with kids🚶‍♀️. ✅Hongta Mountain The air is filled with the scent of tobacco, there's a tobacco exhibition on the mountain top⛰️. The air is super fresh~ A large lawn, 🉑️you can frolic on the grass. 🉑️Bring your own food for a picnic. ⛳️Recommended delicious snacks ✅Rice paste cakes ✅Green onion pancakes (with leek flower sauce, pickled vegetables, green onions, and fresh meat) ✅Kan-style cold desserts ✅Cold rice cakes