Jiuxiang Scenic Area
Jiuxiang Scenic Area is famous for its karst caves and is known as the “Land of Caves”. The cave system formed from ancient dolomite some 600 million years old. Inside are nine major areas,…
Jiuxiang Scenic Area, Kunming · AI illustration for China Trip
Key facts
- Admission
- ¥60; Dieheng Bridge Great Cableway ¥120 (round trip)
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Getting there
- 1. Take a minibus from Kunming East Bus Station to Shilin County town (¥35), then take another minibus to Jiuxiang. 2. Take a train from Kunming Railway Station to Yiliang North Station (about 2 hours), then take a bus from Yiliang County town to Jiuxiang. 3. Take a taxi directly from Kunming Airport or Kunming Railway Station to Jiuxiang Scenic Area.
- Guidebook rating
- 5 / 5
From China Self Guided Travel 2025, page 201. Open in Google Maps
About Jiuxiang Scenic Area
Jiuxiang Scenic Area is famous for its karst caves and is known as the “Land of Caves”. The cave system formed from ancient dolomite some 600 million years old. Inside are nine major areas, including Jinghun Gorge, Yincui Gorge, Guhe Cave, Shennü Palace and Yijia Village. Jinghun Gorge is the largest gorge inside a cave in China, and Yincui Gorge is known as the “Lovers' Valley”, where young Yi men and women of Jiuxiang once sang love songs to each other. The area has also served as a filming location for several films, including *The Myth* and *Little Big Soldier*.
Tips from the guidebook
- Two-day itinerary for Stone Forest and Jiuxiang
- If you plan to visit both Stone Forest and Jiuxiang, it is recommended to go to Jiuxiang first and then Stone Forest. Each of these attractions needs at least two days, and Stone Forest offers somewhat better facilities for food and accommodation.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Jiuxiang Scenic Area cost?
Admission to Jiuxiang Scenic Area is ¥60; Dieheng Bridge Great Cableway ¥120 (round trip), as listed in the 2025 guidebook. Prices can change; check the official channel before you go.
How do I get to Jiuxiang Scenic Area?
1. Take a minibus from Kunming East Bus Station to Shilin County town (¥35), then take another minibus to Jiuxiang. 2. Take a train from Kunming Railway Station to Yiliang North Station (about 2 hours), then take a bus from Yiliang County town to Jiuxiang. 3. Take a taxi directly from Kunming Airport or Kunming Railway Station to Jiuxiang Scenic Area.
How long should I spend at Jiuxiang Scenic Area?
Plan on 2–3 hours for Jiuxiang Scenic Area.
Where is Jiuxiang Scenic Area?
Jiuxiang Scenic Area is in Kunming, Yunnan Province, in the Southwest of China.
More places in Kunming
Stone Forest Scenic Area
Stone Forest boasts the most extraordinary karst landscape in the world, attracting countless visitors from China and abroad, and is hailed as the “First Wonder Under Heaven”. “Scenery of Stone Forest” is the most representative attraction here. Within the scenic area are “animal-shaped” rocks such as Tang Monk Rock, Monkey King Rock and Ashima, each with its own beautiful legend.
¥130 · 3 hours or more
Fuxian Lake, Chengjiang
A nationally renowned high-altitude freshwater lake, best known for its crystal-clear waters. It is only about 60 kilometers from Kunming, a drive of little more than an hour. Traditional fishing methods have survived here, and the delicious Kanglang fish (抗浪鱼) can be tasted only in this area. Before 2006, Fuxian Lake was mostly a pleasant natural swimming pool. Once relics of the ancient Dian Kingdom (滇国) were discovered, it became mysterious and popular.
Lucheng Scenic Area ¥15; Gushan Scenic Area ¥15; Moon Bay Wetland Park ¥30; Maotian Mountain Geopark ¥20; Cherry Blossom Valley Scenic Area free · 3+ hours
Jiaozi Snow Mountain
The main peak of Jiaozi Snow Mountain rises to 4,247 metres above sea level and is the highest peak in central Yunnan. Several of its peaks look like sedan chairs (“jiaozi”) when seen from afar, hence the name. The mountain features tranquil lakes similar to Bita Lake, snowfields like those of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, rhododendron meadows like those of Gaoligong Mountain, and waterfall cascades like those of the Huanglian River. It is a microcosm of Yunnan's highland natural scenery.
Full-day package: ¥315 (includes admission, round-trip ticket for the Xinshan Pass cable car, round-trip shuttle bus ticket and round-trip ticket for the Xiapingzi cable car); Standard package: ¥235 (includes admission, round-trip ticket for the Xinshan Pass cable car and round-trip shuttle bus ticket) · 1 day
Dongfengyun, Mile City
A trendy check-in spot and a town known for its cultural and artistic creativity, often called the 'Provence of central Yunnan'. Its buildings mostly use red brick, creating a striking visual impact and an exotic atmosphere. Main attractions include the Lavender Theme Park, the Kaleidoscope Art Museum and wine estates.
Admission ¥60; sightseeing shuttle ¥15 one way or ¥20 round trip · 3+ hours
Luoping Rapeseed Flower Sea
Among the world's flowers, the humble rapeseed blossom makes Luoping a true wonder. Here the rapeseed fields cover nearly 800,000 mu, far more than a few scattered patches. When in full bloom, the flowers spread across hills, villages, roads and rivers alike, merging into a sea of yellow that is truly spectacular.
1–3 hours
Puzhehei
Puzhehei Lake, whose name in the Yi language means 'a pond rich in fish and shrimp'. Islands in the lake include Luyuan Island (鹭鸳岛), Pearl Island and Lotus Leaf Island. Gliding across the water, you see mountains within the lake and lake within the mountains. From June to September, tens of thousands of mu of red and white lotus flowers sway across the lake, and moonlight shimmers on the rippling water, giving the lakescape a special allure. Puzhehei was also the filming location for Hunan TV's parent-child show Where Are We Going, Dad? and the TV series Eternal Love (三生三世十里桃花).
Circuit sightseeing shuttle ¥92 per day; Swan Lake ¥85; Lotus Breeze Night Light ¥198; Qingqiu Mural Wall ¥128; boat tickets ¥80–260 depending on type · 1–2 days