[2025 Mengzi Attraction] Travel Guide for Nanhu Park (Updated Jan)

After visiting the former Mengzi Customs House, we strolled north along the eastern path of South Lake Park. The path around the lake is picturesque, and walking through the trees and the lake is like walking in a painting. Before long, a garden with exotic charm came into view. This is the Mengzi French Garden, one of the buildings that make up the former Mengzi Customs House. The core of the French Garden is a two-story French-style building. The yellow walls look particularly beautiful against the green trees and blue sky. Next to the building is a carefully arranged French garden. Unlike Chinese gardens, French gardens emphasize symmetry and strict artificial pruning. Therefore, the garden is symmetrically arranged with the French-style building as the center. The trees, hedges, and flower bushes in the garden are also strictly pruned into geometric shapes. Unlike Chinese gardens, which emphasize the harmony between man and nature, French gardens emphasize the transformation of nature by man. Walking through the French garden is like traveling to the sunny Mediterranean coast of southern France. The shimmering South Lake next to it reinforces the impression of a seaside garden. After passing through the French garden, we came to the last historical site around Mengzi South Lake Park - the former site of the National Southwest Associated University.

Our first stop in Mengzi was South Lake Park, located in the city center. Mengzi South Lake was formed by rainwater accumulation and was formerly known as Caohu or Caopi. In the Ming Dynasty, people piled up three earthen hills in the lake, named Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou, which became a leisure place for literati and scholars in the Mengzi area. Today's South Lake Park covers an area of 408,700 square meters, of which the water area is nearly 300,000 square meters. It is a veritable large lake, with green waves and shady willows all year round. There are many historical sites and scenic spots along the inside and outside of South Lake, including the Customs Yamen Site, the Former French Consulate, the Former Southwest Associated University Site, the Zhou Family Residence, and the Jade Emperor Pavilion. South Lake Park has thus become the central hub of tourism in Mengzi City, and can be called Central Park.

Celebrate the New Year in Mengzi! Spend two days exploring the best of Mengzi and sampling the local cuisine. Start your Mengzi adventure now! -- 📅 Itinerary: DAY 1: Bisezhai Scenic Area On the first day, we'll explore Bisezhai Scenic Area and enjoy the natural beauty and cultural charm. DAY 2: Nanhu Park On the second day, we'll head to Nanhu Park to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery. -- Must-see attractions: 🌟 Bisezhai Scenic Area: The red tiles and yellow walls of Bisezhai are bathed in the warm glow of the setting sun. Strolling through the area feels like stepping back in time. 🍃 Nanhu Park: A favorite spot for writers and poets, the park is surrounded by greenery and offers inspiration in its beautiful scenery. -- Travel tips: 🧳 👕 Bring a few warm jackets and sweaters. It gets cold in Mengzi in December, so dress warmly. 👟 Bring a pair of comfortable sneakers for walking around Mengzi's attractions. 🎩 Don't forget a hat and sunglasses. Mengzi is sunny, so these will protect you from the sun and make you look cool. 📷 Bring a camera or phone to capture the beautiful scenery in Mengzi. 💳 Bring your ID, cash, and bank cards. Don't forget these essentials. 💊 Bring any necessary medications. Stay healthy while traveling! -- Mengzi is a beautiful place worth exploring. Don't miss out!

Our first stop in Mengzi is Nanhu Park, located in the city center. Nanhu Lake was originally a swamp, but it was excavated into a lake in the early Ming Dynasty. After more than 600 years of development, it has become a famous scenic spot in southern Yunnan, known as the "Little West Lake" of the plateau. The park is fresh and beautiful, and is not only the birthplace of the legend of Yunnan's famous "Crossing the Bridge" rice noodles, but also a tourist destination in southeastern Yunnan. The lake water glistens in the sunlight, like a mirror inlaid with countless gems, reflecting the surrounding scenery and forming a series of moving pictures. The ancient buildings in the park are even more charming and full of charm against the backdrop of the surrounding skyscrapers. Every pavilion and bridge exudes a unique glow, making people feel as if they have traveled back in time to ancient times, experiencing the tranquility and beauty of the past. After dinner, take a stroll along the lakeside trail, where the breeze brings a coolness and endless comfort. Every step is taken in the intertwining of light and shadow, as if you are in a dream world. When you feel tired of life, why not take a walk in Mengzi? Here, you will find the tranquility and beauty you desire. Mengzi is a place that will make your heart flutter, a city worth "falling in love with, naturally coming to."

According to research, South Lake was formed in the Ming Dynasty when the prefect Qian Bangcheng led the people to remove the silt and weeds from the lake and divert spring water from outside the county into the lake. Various trees such as weeping willows were planted along the lake embankment, and the islands in the lake are connected by paths. There are also various pavilions, terraces, and towers, as well as the Wen Yiduo Monument. Around the park, there are attractions such as the Memorial Hall of the Mengzi Branch of the National Southwest Associated University. It is a great place for a leisurely stroll. The park is located in the city center and is easily accessible by bus.

We traveled north from Hekou along the Kaihe Expressway and Tianhou Expressway to Mengzi, covering about 160 kilometers. Mengzi City, as the capital of Honghe Prefecture, is indeed much larger in scale. The spacious square in front of the prefectural government building is even more impressive. A gold-painted bronze bull statue titled 'The Heart of a Public Servant, the Ethnic Ambition, the Soul of Honghe,' weighing 247 tons, stands on a high platform in the fountain by the roadside at the foot of the square steps. The statue was made and donated by Yunnan Copper Industry Group Co., Ltd. There are also some large decorations or trees on the square donated by various companies within the prefecture. It's unclear whether these enterprises made a lot of money and wanted to show their respect for the public servants or if they were compelled to do so. The Honghe Prefecture Museum is located next to the prefectural government building, separated by a huge parking lot. The parking spaces and the parking lot around the government building are filled with private cars, mostly belonging to the employees working in the building. The museum's exhibitions are rich and need no further elaboration. The exterior of the building immediately reminds one of a museum, very distinctive. However, there are not many visitors to the museum, perhaps because we were lucky and didn't encounter a busy time, allowing us to leisurely enjoy the exhibits. Mengzi has many attractions, and one needs to be well-fed and hydrated to have the energy to explore them all. You can't visit Mengzi without trying the authentic 'Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles.' We found the Hongtai Chrysanthemum Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodle Shop on Cheng'en Street by the South Lake. The ingredients are presented on a small wooden bridge, the soup is fresh, and the ingredients are delicious, making you momentarily forget that there are other delicacies in the world. At the entrance of Cheng'en Street is Mengzi No. 1 High School, established in 1911. The first principal was Li Yuegai, the father of philosopher Ai Siqi. The school has a long history and profound heritage, with the Sino-Western architectural style of the teaching buildings serving as a testament. Deep in Cheng'en Street are three ancient buildings: the Jade Emperor Pavilion, the Guanyin Hall, and the Dizang Hall. At the intersection of Cheng'en Street and Wumiao Street is the Zhou Family Courtyard, which was converted into the Wangyun Museum in 2013. Initiated by a group of cultural figures, artists, and collectors, the museum showcases excellent traditional Chinese culture through inscriptions, calligraphy, and plaques. The museum is small but exquisite, and you can also learn about the Zhou Family Courtyard's history as a campus for the Southwest Associated University. The most impressive part of the museum is the forty couplets on the wooden and stone pillars, rich in life philosophy and famous sayings. During the War of Resistance, the Southwest Associated University established a campus in Mengzi. Despite the war, the teachers and students of the university persisted in teaching, embodying the spirit of 'Fortitude and Perseverance,' creating a glorious chapter in the history of Chinese education. Fortitude and perseverance, people with ambition, Standing tall and firm is the soul of the nation. Tears shed for a hundred years leave a long memory, May future generations never forget their roots. Due to limited conditions, the classrooms and dormitories of the Southwest Associated University in Mengzi were scattered in various locations. There are currently five existing sites: the Gollust Trading House, the Mengzi Customs Tax Office, the French Consulate, the Zhou Family Courtyard, and the Wang Family Courtyard. Walking through these sites, then strolling through the woods, crossing stone bridges, and circling the peninsula in South Lake Park, one gains a lot spiritually, but the energy from the Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles is exhausted. Wencui Street has a bustling night market at Dashu Village, where people go mainly not for shopping but for the culinary delights. We joined the crowd, drove there to experience the nighttime atmosphere, and tried some snacks.

Mengzi Nanhu is located in the southern part of Wenlan Town, Mengzi County, Honghe Prefecture, hence the name 'Nanhu' (South Lake). It is formed by the accumulation of rainwater and was formerly known as Caohu or Caopi. During the Ming Dynasty, it was developed into a weir pond, and three earthen hills were piled up in the lake, named Penglai, Fangzhang, and Yingzhou Islands, respectively, becoming a gathering place for literati and scholars, also known as the 'Sea of Learning'. The famous Yunnan dish 'Crossing-the-Bridge Noodles' is said to have originated here, making it a great place for people to visit and relax. There is also an ancient pavilion with a long history here—Yingzhou Pavilion. In the 29th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign in the Qing Dynasty, Wang Laigui, the prefect of Amiss Prefecture, acted as the administrator of Mengzi County. He donated funds to dredge Guoquan Spring, diverted water into the lake, and built the north dam. The grateful citizens built a pavilion on the east side of the lake, originally named Yingxian Pavilion. It was rebuilt in the 14th year of Emperor Guangxu's reign and renamed Yingzhou Pavilion. The pavilion is 22.4 meters tall, with a wooden hexagonal spire and triple eaves tower structure, using 30 columns, including 6 through columns, forming a cup-shaped beam frame. The brackets are stacked, with glass-colored tiles, exquisitely decorated, standing between the blue water and green trees. It is currently a cultural relic protection unit in Yunnan Province. Friends who are interested can come to Mengzi to have a look.

Nanhu Park, located in the southern part of Mengzi city, is known as the 'Little West Lake' and covers an area of 320,000 square meters. It is said that Nanhu was originally just a small marsh formed by rainwater, filled with aquatic plants, hence it was also called Grass Lake or Grass Sea. During the Jiajing era of the Ming Dynasty, the local magistrate led the people to deepen the lake, pile up soil to form three small hills, and named them after the three immortal mountains: Penglai, Yingzhou, and Fangzhang. Walking into Nanhu Park, you can walk along the central causeway that runs straight from south to north, connecting to Yingzhou Island in the east and Song Island in the west through winding bridges. The pavilions on the islands have flying eaves and carved beams, with red walls and green tiles, presenting a picturesque scenery. The beauty of the environment is so enchanting that it makes people linger and forget to return.

Visiting Yunnan, you must try the rice noodles, and the real origin of Yunnan's 'Crossing-the-Bridge' rice noodles is Mengzi. Food Guide: The most famous in Mengzi is the chrysanthemum rice noodles. The traditional 'Crossing-the-Bridge' rice noodles consist of a bowl of broth accompanied by several dishes of side ingredients, which are added to the soup in sequence, including eggs, meats, vegetables, and chrysanthemum petals. Recommended is the 'Old General's Traditional Crossing-the-Bridge Rice Noodles'. The average cost is 12 yuan per person. Attraction Guide: 'Crossing-the-Bridge' Rice Noodles Town, Nisu Town, Nanhu Park, Southwest Associated University Bookstore 'Crossing-the-Bridge' Rice Noodles Town is themed after various cities in the Honghe region, creating more than ten different zones such as Jianshui Garden, Mile Garden, Kaiyuan Garden, and Pingbian Garden. Central Axis: The Bell and Drum Tower area, dominated by Tang Dynasty and Ming-Qing antique architecture. Here you can learn about the history of Mengzi's 'Crossing-the-Bridge' rice noodles and taste authentic varieties of rice noodles. Admission is free. Nisu Town is located on the east coast of Datunhai in Mengzi City, 5 kilometers from the city center. It preserves the heritage of the Yi nationality's Nisu customs. Adjacent to Nisu Town is Mengzi's most beautiful scenic lake, Datunhai. Admission is free. Nanhu Scenic Area, Mengzi's Nanhu is a landmark building in the city center, where the history of 'Crossing-the-Bridge' rice noodles originated. The scenic area consists of three lake islands: Penglai Island, Fangzhang Island, and Yingzhou Island. Admission is free. Southwest Associated University's old campus retains the French architectural style of a century ago, standing by the lakeside of Nanhu. Revisit the Republic of China street scene. Inside, there is a retro coffee house. Admission is free