2025 Ludian Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in October)

Dear friends, stop crowding to Dali and Lijiang! This seriously underrated small city in Yunnan—Zhaotong—is truly a hidden gem in the travel world💎 Few people, beautiful scenery, low prices, it can fulfill all your fantasies of niche travel. No more words, here’s the guide👇 🚞 Transportation ✈️ Airplane: Zhaotong Airport is close to the city center, just a taxi ride of about ten minutes, very convenient. If you catch a discounted ticket, the cost performance is excellent. 🚄 High-speed rail: There are direct bullet trains from Kunming, Chengdu, and other places. The scenery along the way is stunning, and you can rest on the train to recharge. 🚗 Self-driving: A must for self-driving enthusiasts! The mountain and water scenery along the way is simply amazing. You can stop anytime to take photos, and the feeling of freedom is fantastic. 🏠 Accommodation Recommendations 🏨 City center: Recommended All Seasons Hotel, good location, prices around 200+, clean and comfortable rooms, with a view of the city skyline from high up. Right downstairs is a food street, so if you get hungry at night, just go downstairs to eat. 🌄 Dashanbao: Strongly recommend Heyuan Inn! You can see a sky full of stars✨ while lying in bed. At night, you can gather around the local fire pit to chat with the owner and other travelers, creating a great atmosphere. 🏞️ Doushaguang: You must experience the cliffside guesthouse! Open the window to a spectacular view of the Guanhe Gorge. Fall asleep to the sound of flowing water and wake up to birdsong in the morning—so relaxing, and only about 80+ per person. ⛰️ Attractions Check-in Day 1: In-depth city tour Start the morning with an authentic Yougao Erkuai (fried rice cake), crispy on the outside and soft inside, stuffed with sour and spicy pickled potato shreds. One bite brings full happiness💖 Then stroll through Zhaotong Ancient City, wandering the old streets and alleys, visiting the Confucian Temple and the Qing Dynasty Escort Agency site to feel the weight of history. For lunch, try Tianma Ham Chicken; the unique aroma of Tianma (Gastrodia elata) perfectly blends with tender chicken, the soup is fresh and delicious, warming you up completely. In the afternoon, visit Shengeng Park, walk along the lakeside, enjoy the lake and mountain scenery, take photos, and relax. At night, go to the night market for barbecue; small meat skewers are a must-order, charcoal-grilled, brushed with special sauce, sprinkled with soul sugar powder, the aroma is intoxicating. Remember to pair it with a glass of tamarind juice to cut the grease and refresh your palate. Day 2: Dashanbao Cloud Wonderland Tour Set off early to Dashanbao National Park, enter before 7 am when the morning mist hasn’t cleared yet, making the whole park look like a fairyland. Visit Jigongshan Grand Canyon, walk on the glass plank road with a deep abyss beneath your feet and the magnificent Jinsha River ahead. If lucky, you can see the rolling sea of clouds, as if you are in the sky realm. For lunch, try the farmhouse dishes in Dashanbao Town, such as buckwheat pancakes dipped in honey, sweet and soft, and Tianma steam pot chicken, so fresh it’ll make your eyebrows drop. In the afternoon, go to Xianren Tian Meadow; from July to September, wildflowers bloom wildly, like stepping into a fairy tale world. You can also try horseback riding and feel the joy of the wind whistling past your ears. If you don’t want to stay on the mountain at night, you can return to the city, but if you want to experience the starry sky, Heyuan Inn is definitely the best choice. Day 3: Explore History and Culture Arrive at Doushaguang Ancient Town, dress up in beautiful Hanfu, walk on the Qin Dynasty Five-foot Road, touch the horse hoof prints from thousands of years ago, as if traveling back in time. You can also see the mysterious Bo people’s hanging coffins and feel the charm of ancient culture. For lunch, eat Tongzi Baba (a type of sticky rice cake) in Shimen Pass, soft, sticky, and sweet, and try Guanhe fish, tender and melts in your mouth. In the afternoon, head to Huanglian River Waterfall Group, which has more than 40 waterfalls of various shapes. Change into swimwear to play in the Water Curtain Gallery, cool and exciting. Around 2 pm at the bottom of Qingtang Waterfall, you might even encounter a beautiful rainbow🌈. Day 4: Forest Oxygen Bar Tour Enter Xiaocaoba Ecological Area, instantly surrounded by dense Paulownia forests, as if stepping into a primeval forest. Explore the Tianshengqiao Waterfall and feel the wonders of nature’s craftsmanship. For lunch, enjoy a Tianma feast at the scenic area restaurant, including Tianma stewed chicken, Tianma scrambled eggs, and various Tianma delicacies, letting you eat to your heart’s content. In the afternoon, visit the Tianma plantation to learn about the growth process of Tianma and buy some fresh Tianma to take home, perfect as gifts for family and friends. 🍳 Food Guide 🍖 Small meat skewers: Must-eat at Mashi BBQ and Sanguan Roast Meat. Beef skewers cost only 1 yuan each, charcoal-grilled with secret sauce and sprinkled with sugar powder, rich in flavor layers, you won’t be able to stop eating. 🥘 Tianma Ham Chicken: Yiqingyuan Halal Garden’s Tianma Ham Chicken is exceptional, tender chicken with the nutrition of Tianma infused in the soup. One bowl of soup makes you feel completely comfortable. 🥣 Xidoufen (thin mung bean jelly): Nanping Street’s Xidoufen is very authentic, served with crispy buckwheat threads and a spoonful of chili oil, 3 yuan a bowl, perfect for warming your stomach and heart in the morning. 🌶️ Sour and Spicy Noodles: Suji Catering and Gaojia Sour and Spicy Noodles’ versions are rich in sour and spicy flavor, with chewy noodles, every bite is super satisfying. 🆙 Notes 1. Dashanbao is at a high altitude; beware of altitude sickness, avoid strenuous exercise, and prepare oxygen tanks in advance. 2. When playing in the water at Huanglian River Waterfall Group, remember to bring a change of clothes and non-slip shoes to avoid slipping. 3. Don’t buy Tianma in scenic spots; prices are high and it’s easy to get scammed. Go to the farmers’ market and choose ones with dense patterns for better quality. 4. Zhaotong small meat skewers and tamarind juice are a perfect match; be sure to have a glass when eating barbecue. Dear friends, pack your bags and start a niche yet wonderful trip to Zhaotong. I believe you will definitely fall in love with this treasure city💖

#discoverchina Founded in the eighth year of the Yongzheng reign (1730), Tuogu Mosque is celebrated for its unique craftsmanship and centuries-old heritage. This remarkable structure holds provincial-level recognition as a protected cultural relic, reflecting its profound historical significance. Tuogu Mosque stands as a testament to enduring traditions and intricate architectural artistry, making it a must-visit destination for those who appreciate cultural depth and historic charm. 🕌✨📜

Ludian: Where time meets the soul Stepping into Ludian is like opening an old book, each page filled with stories, exuding a unique charm. Located in northeastern Yunnan, this small town combines magnificent mountains and rivers, tranquil countryside, and a rich cultural heritage. It's like a hidden gem, quietly waiting for travelers to explore. In the morning, by the Niulan River, the sun shines down, and the river shimmers, winding like a golden ribbon. Stroll along the riverbank, the fresh air filled with the fragrance of earth and grass. In the distance, the mountains meet the blue sky, painting a beautiful landscape. Here, away from the hustle and bustle, you can fully enjoy nature's gifts. Walk into the villages of Ludian, where farmhouses are scattered among lush fields, filled with a rural atmosphere. Farmers work in the fields, their simple smiles full of love for life. The old buildings in the village, with their mottled walls and carved doors and windows, silently tell stories of the past. Tradition and modernity blend here, and the ancient farming civilization is revitalized. Food is also a highlight of a trip to Ludian. Steaming Niu Ganba (dried beef), soft and sweet Liangfen (jelly noodles), and juicy meat skewers are all full of local flavor. Tasting the food is also tasting the history and culture of Ludian. Ludian is also home to several ethnic minorities, including the Yi and Hui people, creating a tapestry of diverse cultures. During ethnic festivals, people dress up and sing and dance, conveying their love for life and cultural heritage. I am captivated by the scenery, food, and culture of Ludian. Everything here gives me a sense of warmth and belonging, like home. It's not just a travel destination, but a haven for the soul. Leaving Ludian, I am filled with nostalgia. This land has left a deep impression on my heart, and I look forward to returning and exploring more of its beauty.

💥I was attracted by the modern and fashionable style of the hotel lobby as soon as I walked in. The layout is simple and clear, making me feel at home. 💝The guest room is spacious and well-equipped with smart facilities, which can meet the needs of both entertainment and work. 🆗 🔄The hotel is in a great location with convenient transportation and complete commercial facilities nearby. It is a very good choice. 👍 ↗️The hotel gives people a high-end and classy feeling in terms of environment, facilities, and service attitude. It is a very good place to stay. 💓

🏡The hotel is highly rated by guests for its clean and tidy rooms and attentive service.👍 The rooms are spacious and well-equipped, with the smart toilet and washing machine with drying function being particularly impressive.💖 Parking is convenient🅿️ and the hotel offers great value for money.✴️ 👉Mengchen Boutique Hotel is a popular choice in Ludian for its great value and comfortable environment.👏🏻

📍: Dashanbao National Nature Reserve (at the border between Yunnan and Sichuan) 🚗: The road conditions are pretty good when driving from Sichuan. The first stop is Zhaotong City. It takes an hour and a half from Zhaotong City to Dabaoshan Scenic Area. Because there is a section of mountain road, the driving is slower, but the road conditions are still good. 🎫: 90💰 per person. You cannot drive directly into the scenic area. You need to go to the parking lot of the scenic area to transfer to a sightseeing bus to enter. Because the roads in the scenic area are really difficult to drive, a sightseeing bus is still necessary. The sightseeing bus + ticket cost 90💰 in total. It was still a bit cold on the mountain in April, so renting a bus cost 20 yuan. 🔍: There are mainly two routes for sightseeing The first stop after changing to the sightseeing bus: Go directly to the glass plank bridge. You can get to the glass plank bridge after getting off the bus and walk for 10 minutes. After the tour, return to the original route to take the bus Second stop: From the glass plank bridge to Jigong Mountain, you can see the plateau lake after getting off the sightseeing bus. There is a road next to it where you can hike into the mountain for about 1.5 hours, or you can ride a horse for 40 one-way💰 ⚠️: The scenic area has not been fully commercialized, so the parking lot transfer area is a bit unsatisfactory, but this does not affect the beautiful scenery in the scenic area. ❗️: You can see the plateau lake when you go to Jigong Mountain. You can climb the mountain at will. If you are physically fit, you can walk further. There are also some hillsides and lawns where you can take pictures. You can develop them yourself and see many cattle, sheep and horses. 🔆: Many people choose to watch the sunrise 🌞 and sunset 🌞. You don’t have to worry about the scenic area closing (only the horse riding place in Jigong Mountain closes at 6 o’clock). After watching the sunrise, the sightseeing bus can wait for you all the time, which is really touching. ❤️: There is a section of the road that the sightseeing bus takes that is not easy to drive on and may be a bit bumpy, but this place has not been developed much, the people are very simple, and the environment is not polluted. Friends who come here to play can also protect the environment. 📌: There are only a lot of black-necked cranes in winter. This is their winter habitat. You won’t see them in summer, but the lawns are green in summer, which is nice to take pictures and very healing. 📎: Weather is really important. When I first arrived, it was all foggy and I couldn't see anything. When the clouds and fog dissipated and the sun came out, it would be very beautiful. You must check the weather in advance, but the climate in the mountains is also very changeable. 🏠: You can choose a small town that is relatively large. There are many homestays and you can watch the stars at night. The 🏠 we stayed in had a barbecue at night and a resident singer. 🍖: You can eat in the town. There are mutton soup and chicken soup. The chicken is really caught by the boss on the mountain. You can contact the restaurant in advance if you want to eat fresh stewed chicken.

Coming to Zhaotong, Yunnan, I can say it was the closest I've ever been to the clouds. I could even touch them with my hands☁️ In the morning, I first went to the glass plank road in Dashanbao Scenic Area. At that time, the clouds were still under my feet. Later, I chose a horse🐎 to take me to see the more beautiful sea of clouds in the distance. Facing the clouds and following the green grassland, I arrived at Jigong Mountain. Here, the view is wide, and there are herds of cattle and sheep. Following the plank road, you can also appreciate the steepness of the grassland cliffs. There is also a plank road built on the middle ridge. Looking from the adjacent ridge, it really looks like a road in the sky, so beautiful. After I crossed the mountain stream, I came to the main observation deck of Jigong Mountain, and there's no need to worry about taking photos, it's very sturdy. 🌇In the evening, the old city area near Zhaotong's steep streets has many old buildings, and with Zhaotong's unique sloped roads📷, no matter how you take photos, they look good~! If the weather is good and there's a bit of sunset, it's even more beautiful. The sunset will tell you that the warmth of the fireworks doesn't need any filters. The most unforgettable things for me are Zhaotong's baked potatoes that you eat with the skin, a bowl of mutton noodles for ten yuan full of meat, and Zhaotong barbecue. If you come, you must not miss it🌈

★There is no admission fee for Dashanbao, only a transportation fee for the scenic area. ★The fare from the visitor center to Dahai Zi (Black-necked Crane) is 68 yuan (round trip), and from the visitor center to Jigong Mountain (including the glass plank road) is 98 yuan (round trip). To enter the glass plank road, you need to show the 98 yuan scenic area transportation ticket. There is no discount for purchasing both, and the scenic area transportation ticket is only valid for the day. ★The scenic area transportation basically departs in a rolling manner, there is no limit to the departure frequency. In the afternoon, I was alone on the bus, didn't wait too long, and still went to the glass plank road. ★The ticket has the visitor center's phone number. The latest time for the scenic area transportation to stop is 6:30 pm, but you can call to arrange for a pick-up (for example, if you watch the sunset on Jigong Mountain too late). This is a promise from the scenic area, but I haven't tried it. ★The scenery of the Jigong Mountain hiking plank road is good. The horse riding road and the hiking plank road are two lines, the former is much closer than the latter. I walked the hiking plank road on the way there (taking pictures while walking, about 1 and a half hours to the end), and walked the horse riding road on the way back (about half an hour on foot), the viewing angles are different. ★Overall, the scenery of Dashanbao is magnificent and domineering, worth a visit! The dance of the Black-necked Crane depends on luck, and the feeding time is currently not fixed! ★Drones are not allowed in the Black-necked Crane viewing area, but they can fly on Jigong Mountain. However, the wind is too strong to fly.

Yunnan harbors a gourmet capital, it does not compete, it is quiet and comfortable, it is Zhaotong. As a C-position city in Yunnan, its barbecue is not lost to Zibo, and there are a lot of beautiful scenery! · ✔Oil cake bait Oil cake bait is a must for breakfast in Zhaotong. Split it into two main parts, oil cake + bait, grilled and smeared with peanut butter, sweet sauce, chili sauce, soft and delicious. ✔Thin bean powder The good CP of the oil cake bait is thin bean powder, which smells fragrant, and is embellished with green onion, chili oil, and pepper powder. Put a plate of fried buckwheat skin, the combination of red, green and yellow colors makes you appetite. It is said that locals like to soak the oil cake bait in thin bean powder, which is easier to swallow. ✔Lamb rice noodles Bone soup boiled rice noodles, most of the lamb is with skin, pinch a few mint leaves and sprinkle it, force out the mint fragrance, a few drops of chili add flavor. ✔Potatoes It is said that no one in Yunnan and Guizhou can refuse potatoes! The people of Zhaotong in the Wumeng Mountain area have unique planting conditions. The potatoes grown here are soft and crispy, and the flavor is more intense. The basic way to eat is to set up a pot on the charcoal fire, and the potatoes are directly roasted. Peel off the burnt skin and dip it in local chili powder to eat, the aroma is tangy~ ✔Water powder Water powder is a bit like Zhaotong version of hot and sour powder, using handmade sweet potato powder, the seasoning tends to be sour and spicy in Yunnan, refreshing and full, and the powder is tender when it enters the mouth. · 📣📣Local tourist attractions recommended: Dashanbao, Jigong Mountain Grand Canyon, Fir Forest, Biao Water Rock Waterfall, Mannan Mountain Cloud Grassland