Things to do in Eshan

No. 3 of Night Attractions in Yuxi

Hongta Mountain

Hongta Mountain is located in Yuxi City in the central part of Yunnan Province. It was built in the Yuan Dynasty and rebuilt in the 19th year of Daoguang (1839) in the Qing Dynasty. It is named after the White Pagoda built in the Yuan Dynasty on the top of the mountain. The Red Pagoda was originally called the White Pagoda. In 1958, the White Pagoda was painted red and renamed "Hongta Mountain", and its scenery was also replaced by "Hongta Zhaohui".

Jinping Mountain Scenic Area

Jinping Mountain Scenic Area is located to the west of Eshan County, named for its resemblance to a brocade screen to the west of the city, and is a place of verdant, beautiful, screen-like mountains and waters. The scenic area features rolling mountains, fresh and cool air, well-protected vegetation, and a rich diversity of biological species. The view is dominated by unique natural scenery of plateau mid-mountain forests, complemented by ornamental flowers, trees, vast tea gardens, and ethnic culture. It is suitable for vacations, sightseeing, study tours, and more.

Yuxi Yingyuetan Leisure Culture Center

Yingyuetan Leisure Culture Center is composed of Yingyuetan Hot Spring, Yingyuetan Villa, Yingyue Hot Spring Inn, Sakya Cultural Park, Old Neighborhood Restaurant, and Yuquan Temple. It is an organic combination of hot spring culture, gratitude culture, Buddhist culture, traditional ethnic culture, regional culture, and ecological culture, forming Yingyuetan's unique "leisure way" and creating an ideal atmosphere of spiritual environmental protection.

No. 2 of Hot Springs Attractions in Yuxi

Yingyuetan Hot Springs

The Yingyuetan Hot Springs are located beside Huixi Park on Daying Street in Yuxi City. The surrounding natural environment is very beautiful. Covering a large area, there is a wide variety of hot spring pools to choose from, as well as sand baths, foot soaks and hot stone steam rooms. These amenities invite visitors to feel comfortable and blissful. There is also an adjacent snack bar for a light meal. It is a great place for a weekend getaway.

Xi'e Ancient Town

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Yunnan

Dianchi Lake

Dianchi Lake, also known as Kunming Lake, is the sixth-largest freshwater lake in China. Its expansive and magnificent surface has earned it the reputation of "five hundred li of Dianchi Lake" since ancient times. As one of the larger plateau lakes in Yunnan Province, Dianchi Lake is surrounded by numerous waterfront parks and wetlands, making it an unmissable stop when visiting Kunming. Every winter, large flocks of black-headed gulls fly all the way from Siberia to Dianchi Lake to spend the winter. This spectacle has occurred faithfully every year since 1985, and feeding the black-headed gulls along the lakeshore has become a highly popular winter experience in Kunming. Strolling along the sightseeing road on the east bank of Dianchi Lake is a great way to experience the lake up close. On one side is the vast, misty expanse of water, with the Western Hills stretching across the distance; in winter, the sightseeing road is especially lively, as residents and visitors alike stop by the lakeside to interact with the black-headed gulls. For a different perspective, you can take the cableway from the lakeside to Dragon Gate in the Western Hills and look down from above, taking in the entire Dianchi Lake at a glance. In the Caohai area at the northern end, you can also take a boat out on the lake and experience its vastness from the water. In recent years, through sustained governance, the water quality and lakeside ecology of Dianchi Lake have gradually improved, the wetland views along the lake are also continuously being restored, and the sightseeing environment has been significantly enhanced compared to the past.

Eshan Yi Valley Bamboo Sea Scenic Area

The Yiren Valley Ten Thousand Acres of Bamboo Sea Tourist Attraction is located in Eshan Yi Autonomous County, Yunnan Province. The Attraction is covered with rich bamboo vegetation, has beautiful natural scenery, and has unique homestays. It is a good place to experience the charm of nature.

2026 Global 100 - Family-friendly Attractions

Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden

The Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences is located in Yilun Town, Mengla County, Xishuangbanna. The park is divided into two parts: the eastern area and the western area. The West District is the main attraction. It includes more than 20 specialized botanic gardens. The “Exotic Flower Garden" is the most popular among tourists. Eastern District is a large area of ​​old-growth tropical rain forest. Most areas are paved with viewing trails, suitable for travelers who enjoy hiking.

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Yunnan

Manting Imperial Garden

Manting Imperial Garden is located in southeastern Jinghong, Yunnan Province. This natural village-style park is also the oldest urban park in Xishuangbanna. At Manting Imperial Garden, travelers can explore the vine plant area and peacock garden to see diverse flora and fauna, admire the charming Dai and Thai-style architecture, and enjoy ethnic minority song and dance performances in the evening.

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Yunnan

Stone Forest Scenic Area

Stone Forest Scenic Area is located in Shilin County, Kunming, and is one of Kunming's key attractions. Stone Forest Scenic Area is a typical karst landscape, with stone peaks, stone buds, sinkholes, and underground rivers everywhere. The peak forest transforms into various forms—sword-shaped, tower-shaped, mushroom-shaped, and more—bizarre and magnificent. The entire scenic area consists of the Major and Minor Stone Forest, Naigu Stone Forest, Dadieshui, Changhu, and other sections. These sections are relatively scattered, and regular tours are mainly concentrated in the Major and Minor Stone Forest area. The Major and Minor Stone Forests are located in the same area. Walk along the path for 20 minutes, and on your left is the smaller Minor Stone Forest Scenic Area with relatively gentle stone peaks. Amid a dense cluster of peaks stands the famous Ashima Rock, where the towering peak forest transforms into a graceful Yi girl named Ashima, as if beckoning to you. This is a favorite spot for visitors to take photos. Besides the pretty Ashima, the Minor Stone Forest area also features views such as Shenjun and Cushi Qingtian, each with its own distinct shape. This is a test of your imagination. If your imagination is not vivid enough, it is recommended to hire a guide, under whose guidance you will gain a whole new understanding of the peak forest before your eyes. As you slowly drive along the highway, the roadside unfolds in turn with Tang Monk Rock, Stone Prison, Phoenix Preening Its Feathers, Lingzhi Rock, and more—each vividly lifelike and exquisitely true to form, displaying the wondrous craftsmanship of nature to you in all manner of poses. Walking along the passageway, you will unexpectedly arrive at the Major Stone Forest area. After passing such wonders as "Two Birds Feeding Each Other," "Rhinoceros Gazing at the Moon," "Lotus Peak," "Stone Forest Wonderland," and "Stone Screen," you may be feeling a bit tired. Taking a short rest at Lion Pavilion and admiring the reflection of the peak forest in Lion Pond across the way is a serene pleasure in itself. After seeing so many peak forests, it is only natural to feel some aesthetic fatigue. It is time to enjoy the water scenery. Board a cruise on Stone Forest Lake and drift across the water, where mountain scenery and lake views come together in one place, and all your stress and worries simply melt away. Naigu Stone Forest, also known as New Stone Forest or Mozhai Stone Forest, is composed of the Stone Forest Scenic Area, Baiyun Lake, Shifeng Mountain, and Yougu Xianpu Waterfall. Compared with the Major and Minor Stone Forests, this place presents another style. The peak forest here is overall grayish-black, with tall and densely packed stone pillars in castle, tower, and mushroom shapes. The simple and rugged grotesque rocks surge skyward like waves with magnificent momentum. Strolling through the black peak forest feels like entering a wild and primitive world.