The Underrated Summer Escape Gem and Food Paradise of Yunnan

Look what I've discovered! The real treasure of Yunnan isn't Lijiang or Dali, but the severely underrated summer paradise hidden next to Liupanshui—Zhaotong! Not only does it share Liupanshui's refreshing coolness, but its food is so delicious it makes you want to settle down on the spot! 😭 ❄️ Coolness overload! ✔️ Shares the Wumeng Grassland with Liupanshui—cool breezes greet you the moment you arrive! ✔️ Average summer temperature of 22°C, with nights so cool you might need an extra blanket! ✔️ Bordering Sichuan's Liangshan and Guizhou's Bijie—imagine being surrounded by "coolness" on all sides! 📸 Not just cool, but also a memory card killer! Dashanbao: Run wild in the "grassland above the clouds," feeling the 3,000-meter-altitude wind rush past your ears. Pretending to be in Switzerland? No, this is the one-and-only Dashanbao! Fir Forest: A local's best-kept secret! The sunrise over a sea of clouds from the mountaintop is so breathtaking it might bring tears to your eyes. No cable cars or crowds—just you and the whispers of the forest. Zhaotong Ancient Town: A dream for citywalk lovers! No generic souvenir shops or trendy milk tea chains—just authentic local life, old teahouses, and weathered city walls that transport you back to a slower, simpler time. 🍢 And most importantly—the food is insanely good! 🤤 Here’s what will make your foodie DNA go wild! Zhaotong’s cuisine is a delicious "hybrid": Yunnan flavors as the base, with a Sichuan kick and a touch of Guizhou influence! Zhaotong Mini Meat Skewers: The undisputed star! No arguments allowed! Quick-grilled over high heat, the fat sizzles and the aroma explodes, topped with secret dry spices—one skewer after another, impossible to stop! This is the true way to enjoy a summer night! Potato Feast: A carb lover’s paradise! Fried, boiled, roasted, mashed... potatoes are elevated to an art form here! Promise me you’ll try them all! Oil Cake & Pea Porridge: The locals' heavenly breakfast combo! Crispy fried oil cakes paired with silky-smooth pea porridge—one bite, and you’re in bliss! 📌 Pro tips—bookmark these! Transport: Fly to "Zhaotong Airport" or take a high-speed train/regular train from Kunming, Chengdu, or Chongqing. What to wear: Short sleeves for the day, but pack a windbreaker or light down jacket—the temperature swings are no joke! (Learned that the hard way!) Zhaotong is that kind of place: Swiss-like scenery, Sichuan-like flavors, and a heart that makes you never want to leave.