Jiuxiang (九乡) is a national key scenic area and an emerging tourist destination in Yunnan Province, primarily known for its stunning karst cave landscapes. This comprehensive scenic area seamlessly combines natural beauty, cultural attractions, and ethnic customs, making it a unique destination.
The area boasts a high vegetation coverage with a diverse range of plant species. The mist-covered forests create an enchanting atmosphere, making Jiuxiang an ideal location for summer retreats, spring excursions, and short vacations.
Located just 22 kilometers from the Stone Forest, Jiuxiang complements the karst landscape with a perfect blend of above-ground and underground experiences – hence the saying, “View the Stone Forest above ground, explore Jiuxiang below.” The scenic area features a variety of cave styles that are rare both domestically and internationally. Visitors are captivated by the bizarre cave formations, beautiful surface landscapes, ancient cultural sites, and vibrant ethnic traditions that define Jiuxiang’s charm.
Travel Information about Jiuxiang Scenic Area
Admission and Opening Hours
Ticket Price: 90 yuan
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Best Time to Visit
Jiuxiang Scenic Area enjoys a mild climate year-round, making it suitable for tourism in all seasons. However, summer is particularly beautiful, offering picturesque scenery and opportunities for boating, making it the ideal time to visit.
Transportation to the Scenic Area
Location: Jiuxiang, Yiliang County, Kunming.
Bus: Take a fast coach from Kunming Eastern Bus Station to Yiliang Bus Station, then transfer to bus 21 to reach Jiuxiang Tourist Area.
Chartered Vehicle: You can also hire a vehicle from downtown Kunming to Jiuxiang Scenic Area, with rental fees ranging from 300 to 500 yuan, depending on the type of vehicle.
Attraction Ratings
- Cultural Experience: ★★
- Distinctive Features: ★★★★
- Leisure Activities: ★★★
- Natural Beauty: ★★★★
- Romantic Atmosphere: ★★★★
- Adventure: ★★
Highlights of Jiuxiang Scenic Area
Yincui Gorge
Yincui Gorge is characterized by towering cliffs that exude a rugged masculinity, while the tranquil, gentle waters flowing between them embody a soft femininity. This harmonious blend of strength and grace, set against a backdrop of blue skies, lush greenery, and the melodious sounds of birds and babbling brooks, creates a poetic and dreamlike atmosphere, transporting visitors to an ethereal realm.
It has been said, “the essence of Jiuxiang Scenic Area lies in Yincui Gorge,” reflecting the gorge’s significance within the Jiuxiang Scenic Area. Yincui Gorge is also steeped in romantic legend, featuring a beautiful love story between the Dragon King’s third princess and a local Yi youth. As visitors take a boat tour through the gorge, local guides share this enchanting tale, adding a layer of cultural richness to the experience.
Jinghun Gorge
Jinghun Gorge is a classic example of the historical Chinese stories of perseverance, where water wears away stone and softness overcomes hardness. This gorge, shaped by the ancient Maitiandi River over hundreds of thousands of years, is a stunning underground river canyon that reaches a height of over 70 meters and is only 3 to 5 meters wide.
As an underground gorge, Jinghun features a winding river flowing through limestone caves, where the tops of the cave bridges are adorned with twisted, lush greenery. Below, the rushing waters create a symphony of sound that is a constant, mesmerizing melody.
According to legend, the Jade Emperor crafted a string of pearls to celebrate the Queen Mother of the West’s grand birthday. During a celestial banquet, the guests, eager to admire the exquisite pearls, accidentally broke the golden string, causing the magical beads to fall from the heavens. These pearls transformed into the myriad caves scattered throughout Jiuxiang, while the golden string became the Maitian River, weaving through the stunning limestone formations of the region.
Lion Hall
Lion Hall derives its name from a stalactite formation at the entrance that resembles a vividly lifelike lion. The entire ceiling of the hall is made up of a single slab, with no visible seams or supporting pillars. Instead, you can find enormous whirlpools carved by ancient flowing water that showcase the geological wonders of the cave.
Currently, Lion Hall has been transformed into the “Jiuxiang Cave Museum.” The museum features a diverse range of exhibits, including two large fish tanks housing the rare Jiuxiang blind fish. These unique fish have adapted to life in the dark underground rivers of the caves, leading to the degeneration of their eyesight and resulting in their transparent bodies due to the absence of pigment. Lion Hall is notable for being the first in the country to showcase live blind fish, adding an extraordinary dimension to the visitor experience.
Male and Female Twin Waterfalls
Deep within the Jiuxiang caves, visitors can witness a stunning natural spectacle known as the Male and Female Twin Waterfalls. These two white waterfalls cascade dramatically from the cliffs, creating a breathtaking sight. Located within Wolong Cave, the river water is split in two by a massive rock formation, plunging down into the gorge and forming two large waterfalls, hence the name.
Standing at the base of the waterfalls, you can look up and feel the cool mist of water cascading down upon you, offering a refreshing sensation. If you visit during the rainy season, the increased water flow enhances the grandeur of the waterfalls, creating an awe-inspiring scene that feels as if mountains are being swept away, showcasing the majestic power of nature.
Divine Fields
The Divine Fields in Jiuxiang are a rare and magnificent sight, formed by the unique geological processes of underground water flow. As the water moves along the sloped cave walls and encounters obstacles, the dynamics of the water change, causing carbon dioxide to escape. This results in the accumulation of calcium carbonate, creating what is known as a “barrage of edge stones,” or the edge stone dam group.
This extensive array of edge stone dams is one of the largest in the country, showcasing elegant shapes and a harmonious layout. From a distance, the Divine Fields resemble meticulously carved terraces, arranged in layers that vary in height and depth, creating a picturesque scene. The tranquil blue waters within the fields shimmer like rice paddies tended by farmers, while a gentle breeze brushes against your face as you walk alongside, enhancing the serene atmosphere of this underground wonder.
Visitor Guide for Jiuxiang Scenic Area
Accommodation near Jiuxiang Scenic Area
When visiting Jiuxiang, most travelers return to Kunming for accommodation, but there are also options available near the scenic area, including the Jiuxiang Hotel and Fulin Mountain Villa, which are designated reception units for foreign tourists. Additionally, several other hotels and inns are located nearby.
Jincui Business Hotel (金翠商务酒店): Located at the Yi Liang Ethnic Plaza, this hotel offers comfortable and clean rooms with good service. There is ample parking available for guests.
Qianye Lin Inn (千叶林宾馆): Situated on Yi Liang Ethnic Culture Street, this hotel boasts a spacious view and tidy rooms. It is conveniently close to Jiuxiang Scenic Area, making transportation easy for visitors.
Local Cuisine of Jiuxiang
In the summer and autumn, visitors can enjoy a variety of wild mushrooms found in the Jiuxiang mountains, including chicken mushrooms, dried mushrooms, beef liver mushrooms, mushroom fungi, chicken oil mushrooms, and milk mushrooms, among others. During winter, you can savor local dishes made from village-raised pigs, such as cured meats, smoked meats, sausages, and beef jerky, all showcasing rural flavors.
One of the most enduring delicacies is Yiliang Roast Duck, which has a history of over 600 years. Originating during the Ming Dynasty, this dish is a classic traditional delicacy of Yunnan Province. It features a perfect balance of fat and lean meat, with a crispy skin, tender flesh, and a bright, shiny appearance in a rich red hue. A must-try is Li’s Roast Duck in Yiliang County, which specializes in this dish. Renowned for its unique flavor, it has become so popular that many people from Kunming will make a special trip just to enjoy this roast duck.
Shopping in Jiuxiang Scenic Area
In the Jiuxiang Scenic Area, visitors can find a jewelry shop located at the entrance, where you can purchase various handicrafts such as gold, silver, and jade items. Additionally, the area is known for its unique Jiuxiang embroidery. These embroidered products are meticulously crafted with vibrant colors and are often framed in mahogany, giving them a rustic yet elegant appearance.
Near the scenic area square, there’s a small shopping mall offering a selection of common handicrafts and souvenirs. Prices are generally market-based, and you can negotiate directly with the vendors for a better deal.