[2025 Huize Attraction] Travel Guide for Nian Lake (Updated May)

## Daghaicaoshan Travel Guide: The "Oriental New Zealand" That's Beautiful in Every Season Daghaicaoshan is located in the southeast of Dahai Township, Huize County, Qujing City, Yunnan Province. It belongs to the main peak section of the Wumeng Mountains, with an altitude between 2,570–4,017 meters. It is known as the "Oriental New Zealand." It has 180,000 acres of alpine meadow, with different scenery in each season. In spring, the mountains are full of flowers, in summer, the grass is green, in autumn, it is golden and magnificent, and in winter, it is covered in silver. The following is a detailed travel guide: ### **Best Time to Visit** - **Summer (June–August)**: Green grass, herds of cattle and sheep, cool climate, suitable for summer vacations. - **Autumn (September–October)**: The sky is clear and the air is crisp, the grassland is golden, and the scenery is magnificent. - **Winter (November–March of the following year)**: Covered in snow, you can experience the ski resort (open from December–March). ### **Transportation** 1. **Self-driving** (recommended): - From Kunming: Drive along the G85 Yukun Expressway to Huize County, then transfer to the S207 Provincial Highway to Dahai Township, the whole journey is about 4 hours. - From Qujing: About 2 hours' drive. - **Note**: You need to transfer to a shuttle bus in the scenic area. Self-driving cars can only be parked at the visitor center. 2. **Public Transportation**: - Take a bus from Kunming East Juju Bus Station or Qujing Gaokuai Bus Station to Huize County (ticket price is CNY 40–75), then take a shared car/chartered car to the scenic area (about 42 km). ### **Ticket Information** - **Scenic Area Ticket**: About CNY 35–50/person (half price for students and seniors). - **Sightseeing Bus**: CNY 20–25/person (round trip). - **Ski Resort** (winter): - Snow Play Area: Suitable for family fun (snow tubes, sleds, etc.). - Ski pass: Including beginner and intermediate ski runs, full-day tickets can be used until the park closes. ### **Main Attractions** 1. **Guniuzhai** (altitude 4,017.3 meters): - The highest peak of the Wumeng Mountains, surrounded by clouds and mist, shaped like a bull playing in the sea of clouds. - Legend has it that the Nanzhao King named it "Dongyue". It was once one of the crash sites of the "Flying Tigers" air route. 2. **Alpine Meadow**: - 200,000 acres of grassland, with different scenery in each season. Wildflowers are everywhere in summer, and the snow scene is picturesque in winter. 3. **Buddha's Light and Sea of Clouds**: - "Buddha's Light" may appear on a clear morning, and the sea of clouds is surging, like a fairyland. 4. **Ski Resort** (winter): - The first large-scale outdoor ski resort in Yunnan, with a snow-making area of 120,000 square meters. ### **Accommodation Recommendations** - **In the Scenic Area**: - **Container View Room**: With floor heating, you can enjoy the snow scene (winter). - **Tent Camping**: You can experience grassland camping in summer. - **Huize County**: More hotel options, suitable for entering the scenic area early the next day. ### **Food Recommendations** - **Roasted Mutton Kebab** (CNY 3/kebab), roasted potatoes, oat cakes. - **Huize Black Goat Hot Pot**: The meat is tender and has no mutton smell. - **Wild Mushrooms** (summer): Local specialty. ### **Precautions** 1. **Altitude Sickness**: The altitude is high, avoid strenuous exercise, and you can prepare Rhodiola Rosea. 2. **Changeable Weather**: Bring a windproof jacket, sunscreen, and rain gear. 3. **Environmental Protection**: Do not litter and protect the grassland ecology. 4. **Winter Road Conditions**: Some road sections may be icy, drive with caution. ### **Recommended Itinerary** - **One-day Tour**: Visit the meadow and Guniuzhai in the morning, and experience skiing or horseback riding in the afternoon (around CNY 30). - **Two-day Tour**: - **Day 1**: Grassland sightseeing + skiing. - **Day 2**: Go to Nianhu Lake (Black-necked Crane Reserve) or Yulu Great Land Seam. Daghaicaoshan is a paradise for photography, hiking, and skiing enthusiasts. Whether it is the green in summer or the ice and snow world in winter, it is worth a visit!

A super detailed travel guide to Huize County: enjoy the scenery, explore history, and savor local delicacies, embarking on a fulfilling and unforgettable journey. Huize County, a treasure trove that blends natural beauty, historical culture, and gourmet experiences, is ready to offer you a well-planned, fulfilling, and unforgettable trip. I. Must-See Attractions (1) Dahai Grass Mountain Highlights: Known as the "Eastern New Zealand," this vast expanse of 50,000 acres of alpine meadows offers breathtaking views in every season. In summer, the mountains are covered in lush green grass, vibrant and full of life; in winter, a blanket of snow transforms the landscape into a fairy-tale world. Guniu Village, perched at an altitude of 4,017 meters, is the highest peak of the Wumeng Mountains. From the summit, you can take in the magnificent meadows and the rolling sea of clouds. How to Visit: Hike through the meadows, immerse yourself in nature, capture the beauty with your camera, or enjoy horseback riding. We recommend spending 3–4 hours here. Visit in winter for snow scenery or in summer to escape the heat. Tickets and Opening Hours: Tickets are 35 yuan. Open from 08:00–18:00. (2) Nian Lake (Daqiao Black-necked Crane Nature Reserve) Unique Charm: From November to March each year, over 1,200 black-necked cranes migrate here to spend the winter. The calm lake reflects the surrounding mountains, creating a picturesque scene with the elegant cranes. Black-necked cranes symbolize faithful love, adding a touch of romance to the atmosphere. Visiting Tips: This is a paradise for birdwatchers and a great place for photography. The soft light of early morning and dusk offers the best photo opportunities. (3) Jiangxi Guild Hall (Wanshou Palace) Architectural Features: A typical Qing Dynasty building, the Jiangxi Guild Hall is renowned for its magnificent gate tower, opera stage, and exquisite wood carvings. It artfully blends Taoist and Buddhist cultures, epitomizing Huize's reputation as the "City of Guild Halls." Visiting Suggestions: Stroll through the hall for 1–2 hours, delving into Huize's copper merchant history and experiencing the charm of bygone eras. (4) Yulu Great Rift Valley Geological Wonder: The 10 km-long Yulu Great Rift Valley is a geological wonder, featuring a deep canyon with jagged rocks of various shapes on both sides. The scenic area also offers a glass walkway and zip line, providing thrilling experiences for adventure lovers.

Nian Lake has arrived at its most beautiful appearance. Morning mist, sunrise, migratory birds, sunset, all the moving scenes are interwoven with the surface of Nian Lake, and a series of beautiful paintings belonging to Nian Lake in winter unfold. Nian Lake Check-in Guide Time to watch black-necked cranes: November Best season for shooting: December-February Suggested shooting time: 5:30-9:30 (morning mist, sunrise, black-necked cranes, Nian Lake in the snow) 15:30-18:30 (black-necked cranes, sunset) Transportation: Nian Lake is located in Daqiao Township, Huize, Yunnan Province, about 50 kilometers from Huize County, 214 kilometers from the main urban area of ​​Qujing, 320 kilometers from Kunming in the south, and 140 kilometers from Zhaotong in the north. It is recommended to drive by yourself. Tips: 1. No tickets are required for Nianhu Scenic Area; 2. Nianhu is cold and windy in the morning and evening in winter, so it is recommended to keep warm and bring a jacket, down jacket, gloves, and hat.

Transportation From Kunming, take the Yinkun Expressway and Provincial Highway 206 to Nianhu Lake. The journey is about 320 km and takes about 3 hours. You can also go to Huize County first, and then take a bus from Huize Bus Station to Yangmeishan, Daqiao Township. Morning - Watch the sunrise and morning scenery: Head to the lakeside of Nianhu Lake in the early morning. From 5:30 to 9:30, you can enjoy the morning mist and sunrise, and you may also see black-necked cranes in the morning light. When taking photos, be careful not to make loud noises to avoid disturbing them. - Stroll along the lake: Take a walk along the lake, enjoy the beautiful scenery, and feel the peaceful atmosphere. The water of Nianhu Lake is clear, the lake is wide, and there are hills and grasslands around, making it a pleasant sight. Noon You can have lunch at a farmhouse or homestay near Nianhu Lake and taste local specialties such as Huize goat meat, tear dumplings, and Huize fried potatoes. Afternoon - Watch black-necked cranes: 15:30-18:30 is a good time to watch black-necked cranes. They are more active at this time, foraging and playing by the lake. You can take photos without disturbing them. - Enjoy the sunset: In the evening, the sunset at Nianhu Lake is colorful and reflects on the lake, creating a beautiful picture. You can quietly enjoy or take photos to record this beautiful scenery. Accommodation You can choose to stay in a homestay or hotel near Nianhu Lake, or you can consider staying in Huize County. Notes The mornings and evenings in winter at Nianhu Lake are cold and windy, so you need to bring warm clothes, such as a windbreaker, down jacket, gloves, hat, etc. The conditions of the surrounding homestays are average, so it is recommended to bring your own toiletries, daily necessities, snacks, etc. Protect the environment and do not litter.

Yunnan is a great place to travel with your family. The warm climate sets off the pleasant scenery, and the fresh air lingers on the tourists' emotions. Here are Kunming, Dali and Lijiang, which are very popular and people yearn for them. There are also Yuanmou, Luoping and Huize here, which are peaceful and quiet and rarely visited by people. Huize, a county under the jurisdiction of Qujing City, is one of the 108 most beautiful landmarks in China listed by National Human Geography and a niche treasure travel destination in the heart of Cai Cai Juan Er. Huize has beautiful scenery, few people, good roads, and many ways to play, making it a good choice for a family self-driving tour. We walked 3 times and saw 6 highlights, please bookmark them. ❶Nian Lake. Cranes dancing in the mist Poetic name, romantic lake, the fairyland habitat chosen by black-necked cranes. We arrived at Nian Lake under the starry sky, hoping to see cranes; we listened to the cranes' calls as the first ray of sunlight illuminated the lake; and we captured the image of cranes dancing in the sky amidst the misty clouds. 📍Navigation: Huize Nian Lake Observation Deck 🛣️Road conditions: Some mountain roads, drive carefully. 🅿️ Parking: quite convenient. ❷Ancient City. Eight Great Halls Huize Ancient City is a "modern" ancient city on the surface. But there are as many as eight guild halls built in the Qing Dynasty! With the theme of exploring the guild halls and "collecting" them all, we learned the reasons for building eight guild halls and then understood the business related to "copper" in the Qing Dynasty. The discovery process is interesting and the trip to the ancient city is unique. 📍Navigation: Huize Ancient City 🛣️Road conditions: Urban roads, good road conditions. 🅿️ Parking: There is a parking lot outside the ancient city. ❸Huize Park. Silver Jing People love to look into the giant "Jiajing Tongbao" coin hole in the park, but I love the warm yellow tranquility under the silver jing tree. The "Jiajing Tongbao" as a landmark highlights the county's prosperity due to copper in ancient times. The tranquility under the silver thorn tree expresses the current vitality of the county in my eyes. 📍Navigation: Huize Park 🛣️Road conditions: Urban roads, good road conditions. 🅿️ Parking: There are parking spaces on the road outside the park. ❹Baiwu Village. Old Times The half-worn couplets on the wooden doors outside the houses from many years ago; the honest and simple administrators in the village history exhibition hall; the endless shouting of small vendors in the streets and alleys; the laughter of children playing in front of and behind the houses after school. In Baiwu Village, all I saw were the old times. 📍Navigation: Baiwu Village Scenic Area 🛣️Road conditions: Some mountain roads, drive carefully. 🅿️ Parking: There is a parking lot outside the village. ❺Sea Grass Mountain. With Snow The encounter with Sea Grass Mountain is not about grass, but about snow. The main peak section of the Wumeng Mountains and Dongyue of the Nanzhao Kingdom are not only beautiful but also fun to visit during the snowy season. The fun of appreciating snow, playing in snow, skiing and embracing snow can all be found in Dahaicaoshan. 📍Navigation: Dahaicaoshan International Ski Resort 🛣️Road conditions: Some mountain roads, drive carefully. 🅿️ Parking: There is a parking lot outside the ski resort. ❻Yulu Earth Crack. Illusion The word "illusion" is enough to express the essence of the scenery of Yulu Earth Crack. The scenery here is comparable to the famous "gorges" and "valleys". The brief moment when the sunlight shines through the cracks in the ground is the highlight moment, and the magical scenery is beyond words. 📍Navigation: Yuludadifeng 🛣️Road conditions: Some rural roads, drive slowly. 🅿️ Parking: There is a parking lot at the scenic spot visitor center. ▶️The above content is summarized based on personal travel experience. Please forgive me if there are any omissions. ▶️Due to timeliness, some scenes may change, please refer to the current situation. ▶️The address location information is provided by the website. Please leave a message if you need more detailed information. ▶️All the scenic spots that Cai Cai Juan Er and Mr. Dog have traveled to can be reached by car. 🔸🔹🔸 If you like self-driving tours and don’t want to take the usual route, please listen to Cai Cai Juan Er’s story.

Nianhu Lake, it is becoming increasingly difficult to see the black-necked cranes. Nian Lake has four beauties: morning mist, sunrise, sunset and snow scene, which are the most beautiful pictures of Nian Lake. Depart from Chengdu at 7 am and arrive at Nian Lake at 2 or 3 pm. Nian Lake is located in Daqiao Township, Huili County, Yunnan Province. It was originally named Yuejin Reservoir. Every winter, a large number of migratory birds such as black-necked cranes fly over. The arrival of the black-necked cranes has added aura and mystery to Nian Lake. The originally unknown Nian Lake has become increasingly popular on the Internet. Nian Lake is not only a paradise for black-necked cranes, but also a paradise for photographers. Photography Location Dam (Yangmei Mountain Observation Point), Yangmei Mountain, Observation Point No. 1, Observation Point No. 2, Lijiawan Observation Point, the back mountain of Lijiawan Primary School, etc. The best location is on the embankment. Shooting time In winter, 6:30-9:30 a.m. and 3:30-5:30 p.m. The sunrise time in winter is around 7 o'clock. Self-driving route Chengdu - Yibin - Zhaotong - Ludian - Longtoushan Toll Station - Mashu Town - Nianhu, 588 kilometers, 7 hours. Among them, the section from Chengdu to Longtoushan Toll Station is a highway, and the section from Longtoushan Toll Station to Nianhu is about 70 kilometers, with two lanes and asphalt road surface. On sunny days in winter, the sunlight is strong. When entering Yinshan from Yangshan or from outside the tunnel into the tunnel, it is often difficult to see the road ahead, so be sure to reduce your speed. Accommodation recommendations Nianhu Impression Inn is located in Yangmeishan Village, close to the dam, making it convenient for watching the sunrise and sunset. Huizhao Nianhuchun Inn is located in Dideka Village, far away from the dam, and has good room facilities. Many inns in Daqiao Township have closed, and now only a few can be booked online. Precautions Nian Lake is 2,300 meters above sea level. It is colder in the morning and evening, so you should bring an extra thick coat to keep warm. Fill up your tank before exiting the highway. Nian Lake is a national nature reserve, and according to regulations, only indigenous people are allowed to enter the core area. Since November this year, this regulation has been strictly enforced. Please contact the innkeeper before traveling to confirm whether the inn can find someone to bring you in.

Nianhu Lake is a "poetry and distance" given by tourists. It is located at the junction of Daqiao Township and Zhaotong, Huize County, Qujing City. It was originally named "Yuejin Reservoir". The core area of ​​Nianhu Lake is the Black-necked Crane Nature Reserve. There are currently 179 species of birds. The main protected objects are black-necked cranes, black cranes, Chinese mergansers, etc. Every year, more than 30,000 birds come to the reserve to overwinter. feather. Nianhu Lake is about 2,500 meters above sea level and has a water area of ​​13.3 square kilometers. It was included in the list of "Wetlands of International Importance" under the Ramsar Convention on World Wetlands Day on February 2, 2022. Hundreds of black-necked cranes migrate to Nianhu Nature Reserve from November to March every year. Other migratory birds such as bar-headed geese and red shelducks also arrive one after another. The birds gather together, thousands of feathers gather together, ski and fly, and walk for food. , these happy elves used a "magic touch" to slowly unfold a dynamic picture of "ecological agility, coexistence of humans and cranes". The black-necked crane is a unique species in my country. It mainly lives in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It is the only crane in the world that grows and breeds on the plateau. It is the "weather vane" of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau wetland and a first-level key protected wild animal in my country. The beauty of Nian Lake is magnificent due to the plateau. Looking far into the distance, it is like the water in the sky nourishing cranes and sacred birds. The plump water plants nourish life. The shadows of the metasequoia lake reflect each other. Nian Lake is the stage for cranes and the home of birds. The black-necked crane "songs" Singing "Neck to the Sky", calling friends, standing on one leg, elegant, flying and playing, or walking quickly on the waves. In the early morning, the golden red sunshine covers the lake surface, and at sunset, the sunset glows with the clouds. Black-necked cranes and other migratory birds, no matter in the early morning or at sunset, perform in their most beautiful postures amid the beautiful scenery of high mountains, dense forests, clear water waves, and smoky clouds. Enjoy the beauty of nature. The transportation to Nianhu Lake is not very convenient. There are shuttle buses from Kunming to Huize about 270 kilometers away. There are also shuttle buses from Huize Bus Station to Yangmei Mountain (Nianhu Lake) in Daqiao Township about 50 kilometers away. We set off from Kunming in the early morning and arrived at Nianhu Lake in the afternoon. Tour time Three days in total for the round trip. If you forget to return due to intoxication, time is infinite.

Nian Lake is a major attraction in Huize County and a signature attraction in Qujing City. It is a place to admire the elegant black-necked cranes, sunrise over the sea of clouds, mountain villages, and the lake and mountain scenery. The black-necked cranes only migrate from the north in winter. We arrived here at noon, so of course we couldn't watch the sunrise over the sea of clouds, but the lake and mountain scenery, blue sky and white clouds, and sparkling clear water were very beautiful. The high blue sky was dotted with white clouds, ripples spread across the pool of broken blue, the distant layers of mountains presented a dark green, the willows on the shore were lush, and unknown water birds were playing in the nearshore aquatic plants. Even though it was not the best season or time to come to Nian Lake, it left a deep impression on me.

Nian Lake in Huize, Yunnan, is a small tourist attraction in Yunnan with beautiful scenery. Every winter, a large number of black-necked cranes and various migratory birds spend the winter here. Flocks of birds play on the lake. In the morning, the mist filling the lake and the slowly rising sun create a beautiful ink landscape painting! Scenes not to be missed in Nianhu Lake: Bird watching at the dam Watch the sunrise and sunset at the dam At the dam, enjoy the hazy morning mist on the lake in the early morning and the rime after snow in the entire lake area. The continuous drought in the first half of this year caused the overall lake surface to shrink a lot, but a new wetland landscape was formed, which is another kind of beauty. There are no tickets for Nianhu Lake, and the overall environment is relatively original. There are not many accommodations in the scenic area, and the conditions are also limited. The Nianhuchun B&B we stayed in this time is considered to be a B&B with relatively good conditions in the scenic area. The owner even took me to take photos of the national second-level protected animal - Golden Pheasant (a super beautiful bird) for free. This is the biggest surprise of this trip.

In the morning, the lake is most beautiful and the most beautiful, the clouds are haunting, the mountains are looming in the clouds, and the breath that is walking in the middle is the breath of autumn, and the beauty is so tearful. Whether the lake is still a village or a mountain, it is covered with layers of mist, and the ink-and-dark paintings are plunged into the eye, and a quiet natural picture is displayed in front of you. There is a word called no name, and there is a word called stunned. When I saw the reading of the lake, I think it would be more appropriate to use these two words. All the beauty in the world is not as good as Walk quietly on the shore of the lake.

Some people say that the lake on the mountain is a tear lying on the surface of the earth. The tears on the pillow are the lakes hanging in your heart. Every September 9th, the Himalayan cold wind passes through the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, a group of black The neck crane flew back to Yunnan with thoughts, and it was thousands of miles away. It was not afraid of hunger and cold. It flew over thousands of mountains and waters. It came to the Haizi of Huize County, Yunnan Province, and spent a long winter in this sea. It is expected to fly back to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in the spring of next year. They met in the migratory flight, knew and played in this picturesque lake, and agreed to fly back to the lake in the coming year, but he soon left because of the fatigue and injury of the journey. Losing her partner, she passed the lonely winter with her infinite thoughts. When the spring came, the cranes flew back to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, but she chose to stay here because of her choices. However, in the end, the lonely crane left behind, the lovesickness fell, and people moved. In the black neck crane's loyalty to love, this lake of thoughts is called "Nianhu". Groups of black-necked cranes, bar-headed geese, and kenaf ducks play crisp morning songs, lined up in formations and go out for food. These spiritual elves are free to soar in the sky, the gentleness of the bow, The rhythm of countless shutters, the shyness of the moment, the most beautiful axis of the sky.

I came from afar, just for the appointment on your side. In front of the magnificent nature, we are so small and make the most sincere wish. The misty clouds are like a magical magician, which can be seen by the naked eye. One mountain, one water, one grass and one wood illusion is in front of our eyes, it is dizzying, and imagination. faded the lush summer season, the autumn grassland color is more full, far-sighted, golden under the sky, pick up the camera, will freeze the picture in the lens, become the scenery that never fades in the heart. In this space, forget everything in the world. The so-called jealousy, trouble, and humanity... stop at this moment, stop, give the soul a rest time, do nothing, just breathe the green of nature. The fragrance of the flowers, bathed in the lakes and mountains, intoxicated. quiet, peaceful, wonderful, blue, sacred, here is everything you imagine, and everything else you imagine.

If the red land and the mountains show a rough mountain feeling, and the lake is a soft picture, it is a calm harbor, and everything in nature is in this cycle, and it is in this way. In the environment, the secular confusing brains are far away from me... The distance is the quiet mountain, the clear and bright lake in front of the eyes, the red land on the feet, and the sound of the birds in the ears. Just like being intoxicated in a paradise, there is no extra voice, no extra tourists, only some photographers press the shutter here. Standing on the shore of the lake, listening to the crisp sound of the birds, breathing the fresh air, watching the ever-changing clouds in the sky, the fish that are playing in the lake, and the smoke rising in the distance, Everything is so fascinating.

Every year in November, when the Himalayan cold wind passes through the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the paired black-necked cranes have experienced hardships, flying over the mountains and thousands of mountains to the winter in Yunnan. You said this autumn, I will take you over the mountains to see a sunrise and sunset at the lake that I think is the most beautiful. The scenery here is filled with the taste of missing, so I have the "cut lake" And the warmth of the name... Best shooting month: November of each year - March of the following year Best shooting time: early morning and dusk