2025 Yao'an Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in April)

Yunnan is not only about Dali and Lijiang. In Yao'an County, Chuxiong, there is a super niche but extremely stunning Longhua Temple. It has few tourists but is a treasure. 📜Thousand-year-old temple with profound heritage Longhua Temple was first built in the Later Tang Dynasty. It has gone through thousands of years of wind and rain and witnessed the changes of countless dynasties. It is a pearl of Buddhist culture in central Yunnan, and even Xu Xiake came here to visit. During the Chongzhen period, Xu Xiake set foot on this land and was intoxicated by the simplicity and tranquility of Longhua Temple. He recorded this experience in detail in "Xu Xiake's Travel Notes", adding a strong cultural flavor to this ancient temple. Walking in the temple, you seem to be able to touch the traces of history, and every brick and stone tells a story of the past. 🏛Beautiful architecture, ingenious The architectural style here combines the characteristics of Ming and Qing Dynasties. As soon as you step into the mountain gate, you can see exquisite brackets and flying eaves, intricate wood carvings and stone carvings. Every detail demonstrates the superb skills of ancient craftsmen. The Main Hall stands tall and majestic, with flying eaves and brackets, and is magnificent. The Buddha statues in the hall are solemn and compassionate, with golden bodies shining brightly, which makes people feel awe. 🌟Special highlights, don't miss it The temple preserves many precious cultural relics, including inscriptions from the Ming and Qing dynasties. There are also uniquely shaped pagodas with exquisite patterns carved on their bodies. Despite years of erosion, they are still full of charm. There are towering ancient trees in the temple, especially the century-old ginkgo trees, which turn golden in autumn and are incredibly beautiful, adding a bit of tranquility and peace to the ancient temple. 🍃There are not many tourists here, it is leisurely and wonderful. There are also several stray cats in the temple, which are very friendly. 🚗Travel Tips 📍Address: Longhua Temple, Yao'an County, Chuxiong City 🎫Tickets: None 🚗Transportation: You can take the bus to Guanglu Ancient Town, then walk or take a taxi up the mountain 🗺2 days and 1 night itinerary recommendation Day 1️⃣: After arriving in Yao’an, go straight to Longhua Temple to immerse yourself in the charm of the ancient temple. In the evening, go to Guanglu Ancient Town to experience the atmosphere of the ancient town and taste Yao’an’s special food, such as Yao’an sausage and Changhe honey. Day 2️⃣: Go to Defeng Temple in the county seat to appreciate the unique architectural style and precious cultural relics.

Yesterday, February 2, also known as "Dragon Head-Raising Day," we made a special trip to Longhua Temple in Yao'an County, Chuxiong. Longhua Temple is nestled in the Guanglu Mountains, built against the mountainside, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, in complete tranquility. The temple was first built during the Tianyou period of the Tang Dynasty (904–907 AD), over a thousand years ago. The stone carvings, wood carvings, and brick carvings inside the temple are exquisite and truly exceptional.

Guanglu Ancient Town: An Ancient Town with a Long History Famous for being the home of the Yao'an Prefecture, named after the Yao'an Gao family Known as the "Cultural Capital of Western Yunnan" and the "Home of Lanterns" The government has restored the town, with two entrances in the north and south The ancient street is not large, but the stone road is still there The restored houses, wooden windows, and carved wooden boards will take you back in time The Longhua Temple, built in the Tang Dynasty, is a popular attraction The Yao'an Road Military and Civilian General Office, built in the Yuan Dynasty, is solemn and majestic The Gaoxuejun Ancestral Hall, a blend of Chinese and Western styles, has colorful stained glass windows The Longhua Temple Fair, which has been held for 700 years, is held on March 4 Enter the Gate of Fortune, walk the Path of Fortune, touch the Statue of Fortune, write a blessing Ask for a blessing, drink tea, eat cake... and pass on the "fortune" 🎫Tickets: Free🆓 🌟Facilities: Accommodation, dining (fewer shops open in the off-season), RV campsites 📍Address: Intersection of Guanghe Section and Longxiang Street, Yao'an County, Chuxiong

Family, I recently went to De Feng Temple in Yao'an, Yunnan, and I was simply shocked by the beautiful scenery there! I feel I must share my travel experience with you, so you can also feel the scenery there! First of all, the architectural style of De Feng Temple in Yao'an is very unique, blending Chinese traditional culture and Buddhist elements, making people feel very solemn and sacred. The temple buildings there are very exquisite, and the details are also very careful, which makes people can't help but sigh at the wisdom and wisdom of ancient craftsmen. Secondly, the scenery around De Feng Temple in Yao'an is also very beautiful. There are mountains and waters there, the air is very fresh, making people feel very comfortable and relaxed. Especially in the early morning or evening, the scenery around the temple is even more charming, making people feel like they are in a fairyland. Finally, I think the most worth mentioning about De Feng Temple in Yao'an is the atmosphere there. The atmosphere there is very quiet and peaceful, making people feel very relaxed and comfortable. There, you can feel the profoundness of Buddhist culture, and you can also feel the calmness and tranquility of your heart. In short, De Feng Temple in Yao'an is a place worth visiting. The beautiful scenery, architecture and atmosphere there are all impressive and make people linger. If you haven't been there yet, I strongly recommend you to go once, I believe you will be shocked by the beautiful scenery there!

Guanglu Town, located in the northern part of Yao'an County, is another ancient town with a long history in Chuxiong Prefecture. It is situated 58 kilometers southeast of Shiyang Ancient Town and 85 kilometers northwest of Chuxiong City. To travel from Shiyang Ancient Town to Guanglu Ancient Town, one must first head southeast for 36 kilometers along a county road to Dayao County, then turn southwest and drive 22 kilometers along National Highway G227. The central street of Guanglu Ancient Town is shaped like a 'hui' character. One corner of the 'hui' is separated by a wall from the residences of two Qing Dynasty daotai (officials), hence the name 'Three Steps Two Daotai.' This central area has clearly undergone renovation and reconstruction, with the original residents relocated and the area converted into commercial shops. Although it appears bright and beautiful on the surface, it has not brought prosperity; most shops are locked and vacant. In contrast, the unrenovated streets and alleys, with their homestays, retain the lively atmosphere of the ancient town. Since the Tang Dynasty, Guanglu Town has been the administrative center for various levels of government, including roads, prefectures, and counties. The Yao'an Road Military and Civilian General Administration Office in the town was built during the Yuan Dynasty on the site of the original government office. 'Road' was an administrative level higher than 'prefecture' at the time. The Yao'an Road Military and Civilian General Administration Office was always managed by the Gao family of Yao'an, hence it was commonly known as the Gao Tusi Yamen. The Gao family were influential ministers during the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdoms and hereditary tusi (local chieftains) during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, spanning 54 generations. The main building of the Yao'an Road Military and Civilian General Administration Office is shaped like a 'wang' character, consisting of the Yi Gate, the Diligence Hall, the Thoughtful Hall, and the Jade Resonance Hall. Each hall has couplets emphasizing the importance of diligent governance for the people, which played a crucial role in the Gao family's 700-year history of glory. There is a courtyard on the side of the General Administration Office, originally the living quarters for the officials' families, now a leisure tea room connected to the garden in the backyard. With the embellishment of modern garden art, the side and back courtyards are lush, elegant, and serene. During the Republic of China period, the descendants of the Gao family built the Gao Family Ancestral Hall in front of the side courtyard. Inside the hall, besides the ancestral tablets of the Gao family, there is also a genealogy of 54 generations. Today, both the Yao'an Road Military and Civilian General Administration Office and the Gao Family Ancestral Hall are part of the Cultural Yao'an Research Institute.

|Chuxiong Guanglu Ancient Town~~. Chuxiong Yao'an Guanglu Ancient Town: The entire ancient town is built in the shape of the Chinese character '坤', with numerous ancient buildings. The town has a long history and has always been an important town for governing Yunnan in ancient times. It was an important stronghold on the ancient southern 'Silk Road' leading to Southeast Asia and India. It is a small town dominated by historical and agricultural culture, where one can see the coexistence of the local land deity worship, Taoism, and Buddhism. As a necessary pass through the ancient southwestern Silk Road, it was historically known as a 'famous state of literature'. Guanglu Town is a place of outstanding people and spirit, with many notable figures. The Gao family once had the saying, 'Nine bright scholars, seven officials, eight prime ministers, three kings, one emperor, and five marquises'. Visitors are very rare, and almost every household has flowers planted at the door. The grandparents playing cards in the alleys are so at ease··

Longhua Temple, also known as Living Buddha Temple, was originally named Wofo Temple. It is located at the foot of the west mountain of Guanglu Town, Yao'an County. It was first built during the Tianyou period of the Tang Dynasty (904-907 AD). It is recorded that "because of the appearance of the divine monk, he came from the outside world to seek him, and left at midnight to lead the king away. Because of the spiritual signs, the temple was called Living Buddha." During the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty, the eminent monks Jikong and Zhicong built a temple here, diligently practiced the precepts, opened the mountain and expanded the temple, and renamed it "Longhua Ancient Temple". In 1638, the traveler Xu Xiake visited Longhua Temple and made a brief description of the local geographical environment and landscape. He also wrote what he saw and heard here in the famous "Xu Xiake's Travel Notes". He used his personal travel notes to further describe the solemnity of Longhua Temple. Longhua Temple was built on the mountain, facing west to east. The building is large in scale, exquisite in layout, and well-arranged. There is a clear central axis in the center. It is an ancient palace-style building. The temple building consists of 108 houses, covering an area of ​​4,372 square meters and a construction area of ​​2,797 square meters. The brick carvings, stone carvings and wood carvings in the temple are called "three wonders". The architectural complex of Longhua Temple has accumulated a long history and cultural connotation. It is a fusion of multicultural and multi-ethnic architectural techniques and arts such as Han, Bai, Yi, and Naxi. Therefore, it has also formed a social and cultural phenomenon of tolerance, integration, and harmonious coexistence of multiple beliefs, vividly showing that our long history is written by all ethnic groups, and our splendid culture is created by all ethnic groups. Longhua Temple is the oldest famous temple in Chuxiong Prefecture and the only legal religious activity venue open to the public in Guanglu Town. In September 1981, Longhua Temple was announced as the first batch of state-level cultural relics protection units by the Chuxiong Prefecture People's Government; in November 1993, Longhua Temple was announced as the fourth batch of provincial-level key cultural relics protection units in Yunnan Province; in May 2006, Longhua Temple was announced as the sixth batch of national key cultural relics protection units by the State Council; in July 2008, Longhua Temple was named the third advanced collective for ethnic unity and progress in Yao'an County; in February 2009, Longhua Temple was named one of the twelve "harmonious Buddhist temples" in the prefecture by the Prefecture Buddhist Association; in November 2010, Longhua Temple was named a "harmonious temple" by the Prefecture Religious Affairs Bureau; in April 2020, it was named a state-level demonstration unit for ethnic unity and progress.

In the Dongfang Rose Valley of Yao'an, Chuxiong, national-level intangible cultural heritages such as the flower lanterns, Meige, and Baziqiang are being performed amidst a sea of flowers. The performers, dressed in traditional attire, convey emotions and stories through spoken lines, singing, and expressive body language. This performance breathes new life into art, providing the audience with a feast for the eyes and ears, and a profound experience of traditional culture. Thus, the Dongfang Rose Valley of Yao'an becomes even more vibrant, serving as an exemplar of the integration of culture and nature.

Under the cover of the blues light and shadow, the Guanglu Ancient Town in Yao'an, Chuxiong, Yunnan seems to have been endowed with a touch of mystery. The afterglow of the setting sun spills on the ancient stone-paved roads, reflecting a mottled pattern of light and shadow. The architectural style of the ancient town is unique, blending the essence of southern Yunnan dwellings with the cultural confluence of the Southern Silk Road. Between the gray tiles and green bricks, the eaves of the houses with their upturned corners seem to be telling stories of the years. Along the streets, the quaint wooden structures are scattered in an orderly fashion, with carved window lattices revealing a hint of warm yellow light, reflecting the cozy living scenes of the residents. The elderly sit leisurely in front of their houses, puffing on dry pipes, while children chase and play in the alleys, their laughter and joy filling the air with the warmth of life. Occasionally, one or two women dressed in Yi ethnic costumes pass by on the bluestone pavement, their dresses embroidered with exquisite patterns, standing out vividly against the blues light and shadow. The surrounding environment is quiet and peaceful, with distant mountains becoming hazy and mysterious under the night sky. The small river in the ancient town flows quietly, its clear surface reflecting the faint starlight in the sky, adding a touch of tranquility. Under the embellishment of the blues light and shadow, Guanglu Ancient Town not only showcases its historical sedimentation but also highlights its unique cultural charm and profound ethnic customs. Here, every step can tread over the traces of history, every sound can hear the whispers of culture, and every glance can appreciate the harmonious blend of nature and humanity.