Amazing secrets you must know when traveling to Yiliang County

Yiliang: A dreamlike journey of taste and beauty "Eat in Yunnan, taste in Yiliang." With a yearning for this widely spread saying, I stepped into the small town of Yiliang in central Yunnan and embarked on a dreamlike journey of taste and beauty. When I arrived in Yiliang, it was already past noon, and I was starving. I went straight to the Xuecheng Restaurant. As soon as I opened the door, the aroma of roasted duck instantly enveloped me, and the restaurant was bustling with activity. I ordered the signature Yiliang roasted duck. The duck was a beautiful red and the skin was crispy. The duck meat was tender and juicy. I took a bite, wrapped it in sweet sauce, onion and cucumber strips, and put it in my mouth. The tenderness of the duck, the crispness of the duck skin, the fragrance of the sauce, and the freshness of the onion and cucumber blended perfectly on the tip of my tongue. I also had a refreshing and spicy cold bean thread salad and a rich and flavorful sauerkraut and potato soup. This meal allowed me to experience the unique charm of Yiliang cuisine. After a hearty meal, I headed to the Yiliang Confucian Temple in the center of the county. This ancient architectural complex from the Ming and Qing dynasties, with its red walls, green tiles, and flying eaves and arches, is solemn and majestic. The courtyard is filled with towering trees, creating a peaceful and tranquil atmosphere. Stepping into the Dacheng Hall, the statue of Confucius inspires awe. The cultural relics and paintings displayed in the hall allowed me to feel the profound historical and cultural heritage of Yiliang. Standing on a high point overlooking the old town, the smoke from the kitchen and the ancient city's simplicity and tranquility are all in sight. As night fell, the night market in Kuangyuan Ancient Town was brightly lit and crowded. Food stalls were scattered everywhere, and the aroma was strong. The roasted tofu for five yuan was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, dipped in a special sauce, the taste was excellent; the papaya jelly for eight yuan was refreshing and smooth, sweet and sour. There were also roasted pork trotters, fried potatoes, and cold rice noodles. Every bite was delicious. I also bought some exquisite and unique bamboo weaving and wood carving handicrafts, which were full of local characteristics. Early the next morning, I headed to the Jiuxiang Scenic Area. Jiuxiang is famous for its unique karst landforms and is known as the "Cave Museum." Stepping into the scenic area, the canyon is deep and quiet, the waterfall is rushing down, and the caves are in various shapes. I took the sightseeing elevator into the park and walked along the plank road, enjoying the scenery along the way. Yincui Gorge, also known as "Lovers' Valley," is known as the "first secluded gorge in central Yunnan." The cliffs on both sides of the gorge are towering, the trees are lush, and the river water is clear and bottomless. Take a boat and sail slowly, the breeze blows, and the feeling is very comfortable. Continuing forward, I came to the Jinghun Gorge, which extends from the canyon outside. It is a spectacular underground canyon. After passing through the Jinghun Gorge, I arrived at the Xiongsi Hall. The name comes from the stalactite in the south entrance of the cave, which resembles a lion. The hall is more than 200 meters long and 15,000 square meters in area. The stalactites on the ceiling are in various shapes, which are amazing. The scene of Qinling Mausoleum treasure hunt in the movie "Myth" was filmed here. Next, I came to the Shennong Palace. The palace is full of stalactites, and the colorful lights make it magnificent. Leaving the Shennong Palace, I came to the Male and Female Waterfalls. It is the soul of Jiuxiang, and it shows the magnificence of Jiuxiang's mountains and rivers. The water of Maitian River flows through the underground cave, and it is divided into two streams by a huge rock, forming a huge dark river waterfall. Finally, I came to the Shentian, which is a unique geological landscape located more than 100 meters underground in Jiuxiang. It looks like a terraced field, but it is more like a fairyland, which is intoxicating. Leaving the Jiuxiang Scenic Area, I headed to the Matihe Gorge. This is an untouched wild secret realm. The emerald river water is clear and bottomless, and the cliffs are towering. I hiked through the canyon, enjoying the natural scenery, breathing fresh air, and feeling the charm of nature. At night, I went to the hot spring village to soak in the hot spring. The hot spring here is a natural sulfur spring. The water temperature is suitable and rich in various minerals that are beneficial to the human body. It can relieve fatigue and beautify the skin. On the third day, I headed to Gengjiaying Yi Township. Stepping into the village, I saw the ancient Yi architecture, and the ethnic customs were strong. Here, I watched the Yi dance performance, admired the exquisite embroidery and silver ornaments, and tasted the Yi hand-grabbed rice, spicy potatoes, and bacon with glutinous rice. The rice was served in bamboo tubes, and the ceremony was full of unique flavors and aftertaste. The beautiful time is always short, and the three-day Yiliang trip is coming to an end. During these three days, I tasted Yiliang cuisine, enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Yiliang, and experienced its history, culture, and ethnic customs. The charming town of Yiliang left a deep impression on me. If I have the opportunity, I will definitely come to this small town again to explore its more charm.