Things to do in Yao'an

Taking a ride on the meter-gauge railway in Jianshui Ancient City is a wonderful and worthwhile experience. I booked my ticket online a day in advance and boarded at Lin'an Station at 9:00 AM. The train clattered along the tracks slowly, with a gentle breeze on my face – a truly delightful moment!

The wetland is China's only volcanic barrier lake floating carpet type wetland, surrounded by mountains, with beautiful scenery and large meadows floating on the water. Walking along the wooden boardwalk is very comfortable due to its high altitude (1750m) and high negative oxygen ion content, but migratory birds were not observed much.

Highly recommended! The guide was fantastic, explaining a lot about the local culture and plants along the way. The safety officer was incredibly patient and protected us from the moment we entered the rainforest. The experience was absolutely amazing, with exceptional service. Highly recommended, and great value for money!

The Meng Huan Golden Pagoda is a must-see attraction in Mangshi. Its golden splendor can be seen from various parts of the city. Climbing the long steps, the pagoda's unique South Asian Dai royal palace style is visually stunning, and the view of it framed alongside the silver pagoda is unique. Inside, the Buddha statues are exquisite, and the Buddhist atmosphere is profound.

Blue Moon Valley at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain truly feels like God's last tear. 💧 It's unbelievably blue, like a gem left behind on earth. 💎 Crystal clear, you can see right to the bottom—absolutely breathtakingly beautiful. ✨ Upon closer inspection, clear streams flow down the mountainside, with small waterfalls cascading down. 🌊 The moment the water splashes, you feel completely healed. 🍃 Every snapshot of the natural mountain scenery is wallpaper-worthy. 📸 No filters needed; the original photos are stunning! Standing here, listening to the water and gazing at the snow-capped mountains, all your worries are washed away. 🥹 A visit to Blue Moon Valley is a must when in Lijiang; you'll be moved to tears by the beauty of nature! #HealingScenery #PicturesquePlace #LijiangFolkMusicFestival #LijiangIWon'tLeave #BlueMoonValley

Yao'an is the earliest famous place in Yunnan Province and the earliest place to be seen in history. There is a saying that "one Yaozhou city, half of Yunnan history". The reason for this saying is that Guanglu Ancient Town in Yao'an County is the birthplace of Gao's family, the prime minister of Dali State. Since the Tang Dynasty, the Gao family has inherited positions in Yunnan for 54 generations, creating a legendary clan with nearly 700 years of official history. The Gao family has lasted for more than 700 years and was once an important official of the local government of the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Guanglu Ancient Town has become an important political, economic and cultural center in Yunnan, and occupies an important historical position in Yunnan history. The Tusi system is a special political system in which the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties ruled the local people in ethnic minority areas by enfeoffment of local leaders and hereditary official positions. In the Yuan Dynasty, "Lu" was a special administrative level higher than "Zhou". Yaoan Road Military and Civilian General Administration Office, commonly known as Gao Tusi Yamen, was once the Yaoan Prefecture of the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms, the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, and the two-level local governors and local governors of Yaozhou. The Lufu was the local administrative power center of the Yuan Dynasty's provincial system. The Yuan Dynasty set up the Yaoan Road Military and Civilian General Administration Office in Guanglu, which was inherited by the descendants of the famous Gao family at that time, so it was called "Gao Tusi Yamen". The Gao family once had a good story of "nine Shuangs, seven dukes, eight prime ministers, three kings, one emperor, and five marquises". Yaoan Road Military and Civilian General Administration Office, also known as the hometown of Gao Ranggong, commonly known as Gao Tusi Yamen, is composed of three halls: the entrance hall, the hall, and the main hall. The entrance hall is five bays wide and four bays deep; the main hall is five bays wide and four bays deep, all with single eaves and tiles, and there are arch decorations under the eaves of the main hall. There are two wings on each side of the main hall, making the entire building into two courtyards, or two courtyards with five patios, closely connected to form a whole.

The Meng Huan Silver Pagoda in Mangshi is pure white and imposing, with exquisite and grand architecture. It shimmers in the sunlight during the day, and transforms into a dreamlike spectacle when illuminated at night. It's a great spot for taking photos.

Dali Ancient City is definitely worth a visit. Entering from the South Gate, the ancient cobblestone streets exude a charming, old-world atmosphere. Backed by Cangshan Mountain, with distant views of rolling hills, it evokes the feeling of the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom. The ancient city's streets and alleys are crisscrossed, with Renmin Road and Yangren Street being particularly lively. You can find Bai ethnic snacks like roasted milk fan and crispy rice cakes on the street. Climbing Wuhua Tower offers a panoramic view of the entire ancient city's rooftops. The main street is lined with shops, making it quite commercialized. Souvenir shops abound, so be sure to compare prices before buying. It's recommended to avoid the crowds and explore the side alleys to experience the local atmosphere. Stroll around during the day, watch the sunset over the ancient city, and enjoy the enchanting ambiance when the city lights up at night. Overall, it's a great experience. I recommend allowing 2-3 hours to explore at a leisurely pace. A must-visit in Dali, perfect for a relaxing stroll and soaking in the city's laid-back lifestyle.

The Grand View Garden of Southern Yunnan truly lives up to its reputation! The ancient buildings in the Zhu Family Garden are beautiful, with exquisite wood carvings, elegant gardens, and a wonderfully atmospheric lakeside courtyard. Strolling through the courtyard is very immersive, and every snapshot is a beautiful sight. Experience the unique charm of traditional dwellings in southern Yunnan. Highly recommended!