Zhaotong, Yunnan | The First Stop for a Spring Festival Road Trip

| The first stop for a Spring Festival road trip. 🌈Zhaotong Ancient City: Located in Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong City, it was built during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty and has a history of nearly 300 years. Its architecture is a blend of Qing Dynasty, various regional, and Republican Chinese-Western styles. Inside the city, there are attractions such as the city gate tower, the bell tower, the Confucian Temple, and the Zhu Family Garden. [Food Recommendations] 🥧Lao Chao Yougao Erkuai: The first choice for breakfast! Their yougao (fried rice cake) is crispy, and the erkuai (rice rolls) are covered in sauce. One bite is super satisfying. 🥘Li Tan Beef Hot Pot: Different from Sichuan hot pot, the soup base has a unique fermented black bean flavor. The marinated beef is chewy, and it's amazing to eat it with mint leaves. 🐔Yi Bing Ding Tianma Ham Chicken: Zhaotong's specialty Tianma chicken soup is made with sanqi powder, which has a slightly bitter taste. The ham is salty, fragrant, and sweet. It's so delicious that I bought some ham to take home. 🍟Xiaoyudian Classic Fried Potatoes: I randomly walked into this shop and was super impressed. The taste is unique and surpasses other restaurants. 🍜Small Pot Rice Noodles: Rice noodles are a must-try in Yunnan, and you can't go wrong with any restaurant. 🥤Banza Lemon Tea: A local Yunnan milk tea. The Qiaoxian brown sugar milk tea is amazing, with lots of toppings and a rich flavor. 🍗Ma Si Barbecue: Zhaotong barbecue is a must! The marinated meat is flavorful, and the roasted tofu, mushrooms, and other dishes are all delicious. 🍖Dashanbao Scenic Area Barbecue Skewers: Taking advice from netizens is always right. I randomly tried five restaurants, and each skewer cost 2 yuan. They were all incredibly fragrant. 🥔Roasted Potatoes: You can find them everywhere. The roasted potatoes in Dashanbao are amazing, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. 🥣Red Bean and Pickled Vegetable Soup: I had this in Doushaguan Ancient Town. The pickled vegetable flavor is light, and the combination with red beans is quite unique. 🏞️Attractions: ⛰️Dashanbao: The Altay of Zhaotong. Standing on the cliffs, you can see the magnificent momentum of the Wumeng Mountains stretching beyond the mountains. It is a wintering habitat for the black-necked crane, a national first-class protected animal. From November to March of the following year, a large number of black-necked cranes come here to spend the winter. ⛲Huanglian River: Known as the "hometown of waterfalls," the scenic area is famous for its cluster of 47 waterfalls in various shapes. ⛩️Long Family Ancestral Hall: Built by Long Yun, the chairman of Yunnan Province during the Republic of China. 🏯Zhaotong Ancient City: With its unique architectural features, the east gate is called Fuzhen Gate, the south gate is Meining Gate, the west gate is Jichuan Gate, and the north gate is Quma Gate. 🏛️Zhaotong Museum: A cultural landmark of Zhaotong City, it's an encyclopedia recording the long history and culture of Zhaotong. 🚗Transportation Guide: High-speed Rail: There is currently no direct high-speed rail to Zhaotong. You can transfer in Kunming and take the high-speed rail to Zhaotong. • Bus: There are several bus stations in Zhaotong City, and you can take buses to surrounding areas. • Ride-hailing: There are several ride-hailing platforms in Zhaotong City, and you can book a car to your destination. • Taxi: There are several taxi companies in Zhaotong City, and you can take a taxi to your destination. • Shared electric bikes: There are several shared electric bike platforms in Zhaotong City, and you can ride a shared electric bike to your destination. It is recommended to choose according to your actual situation and preferences. 💗Other tips: Zhaotong, an underrated and hidden gem for tourism. The natural scenery here is intoxicating, and the culture is unique. Come and experience its charm!📸