Oh my beans! A forgotten ancient Yi village lost in time!

### **In-Depth Cultural Journey in Yunnan: Xingmeng Mongolian Township, Tonghai Mongolian Village & Luxi Chengzi Ancient Village (5-Day 4-Night Premium Guide)** **📍 Itinerary Overview** - **Day 1-2**: Kunming → Xingmeng Mongolian Township, Tonghai (Mongolian culture, Naadam Festival experience, Tonghai Lake) - **Day 3**: Tonghai → Luxi Chengzi Ancient Village (Yi-style earthen houses, stargazing photography) - **Day 4**: Luxi → Return or extend to Honghe Prefecture (optional) --- ### **✨ Xingmeng Mongolian Township & Tonghai Mongolian Village** **Highlights**: Yunnan's only Mongolian settlement with 700 years of history, blending grassland culture with Yunnan's landscapes. The grand **Naadam Festival** is held annually from December 13-15. **🏨 Premium Accommodation Recommendations** 1. **Fuxian Lake Star Lake Holiday Homestay** (Lake-view villas, 180° Fuxian Lake views, butler service) 2. **Tonghai Longting Business Hotel** (Near Xiushan Scenic Area, comfortable business-style, from ¥174) 3. **Xingmeng Mongolian Family Inn** (Immersive experience, traditional yurt-style) **🍽️ Must-Try Cuisine** - **Kazhuo Feast** (Whole roasted lamb, Tai Chi eel, hot pot) - **Xingmeng Arrowhead Cake** (Refreshing and fragrant, a local specialty snack) - **Mongolian Milk Tea & Hand-Grabbed Meat** (Recommended at grassland restaurants) **🎯 Must-Do Experiences** - **Naadam Festival** (Equestrian, archery, bonfire party) - **Baisha Ancient Town** (Traditional Mongolian architecture, handicraft workshops) - **Morning Mist Boat Ride on Tonghai Lake** (Mirror-like lake surface, perfect for photography) - **Three Saints Palace** (Dedicated to Genghis Khan, with stone inscriptions from Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties) --- ### **✨ Luxi Chengzi Ancient Village** **Highlights**: A thousand-year-old Yi village with stacked "earthen houses," hailed as the "Potala Palace of the Yi people" and a prime spot for astrophotography. **🏨 Premium Accommodation Recommendations** 1. **Chengzi Ancient Village Homestay** (Under renovation, check availability in advance) 2. **Luxi Yunshang Hotel** (Upscale option in the county, 30-minute drive) **🍽️ Must-Try Cuisine** - **Yi-Style Smoked Bacon** (Smoky flavor, available at village eateries) - **Bitter Buckwheat Cake** (Traditional Yi staple food) **🎯 Must-Do Experiences** - **Hike to the Tusi Mansion Ruins** (Overlook the village, golden rooftops resembling terraces) - **Stroll Across Rooftop Drying Yards** (Interconnected earthen houses, free to explore) - **Stargazing Photography** (Minimal light pollution, clear Milky Way views) - **Visit General's Mansion** (Qing-era Yi general's residence, courtyard-style architecture) --- ### **🚗 Transportation Tips** - **Kunming → Tonghai**: 2-hour highway drive - **Tonghai → Luxi**: 2.5-hour drive - **Luxi → Kunming**: 3-hour highway drive **📌 Tips** - Book accommodations early during Xingmeng's festival season. - Wear comfortable hiking shoes for Chengzi Ancient Village's cobblestone paths. --- ### **🌟 Trip Highlights** ✅ **Cultural Contrast**: Mongolian boldness vs. Yi simplicity ✅ **Off-the-Beaten-Path**: Escape crowded spots for authentic, untouched experiences ✅ **Photographer's Paradise**: Tonghai Lake morning mist, Chengzi's starry skies **📅 Best Season**: October-December (autumn colors + Naadam Festival) This guide is perfect for travelers seeking niche, in-depth, and high-quality experiences—unveiling Yunnan's most hidden cultural gems! 🌄