Things to do in Luquan

We took a long cable car ride and then a bus up the mountain. The old man got carsick on the way up. The snow was not heavy enough on the second day of the first lunar month, so we got off the bus and took a cable car up to see the snow.

Wuding Lion Mountain is located to the west of Wuding County, Chuxiong Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is named after the image of a crouching lion. The mountain is oriented from north to south, facing Wumeng Mountain from afar. The mountain slopes down slowly from south to north, and the top of the mountain is surrounded by steep cliffs. The mountain is very majestic when viewed from the front. Wuding Lion Mountain is a national 4A-level scenic spot in Yunnan Province. It is known as the "No. 1 Mountain in the Southwest", "Emerald of Central Yunnan", "Eight Small Buddhist Mountains in China" and "Peony Garden in the South".

Location: Haigeng Park/No. 16 Hubin Road ↔ Xishan Longmen (West Mountain Dragon Gate), not near the old street, you have to go to the Dianchi Lake area. Experience: Crossing the lake + climbing the mountain, about 20 minutes one way, views of Dianchi Lake, Sleeping Beauty Mountain, and city scenery, great for taking photos. Ticket Price: One way about 59-60 RMB, round trip about 98-100 RMB. Advantages: Easy for lazy people to climb West Mountain, no climbing required, unique views; seagulls in winter. Disadvantages: Stops during strong winds/thunderstorms; long queues during peak season; separate ticket/walking required for Longmen after climbing the mountain; don't confuse with the "Xishan Longmen Cableway". Conclusion: First time in Kunming, taking the Dianchi-Xishan route → worth it; if just exploring the old street → not worth a special trip.

If you’re already in Lijiang, you should still visit—just adjust your expectations and prepare to be pushed around by the massive crowds!Personally, I found it slightly overrated. Visiting in September means virtually zero snow on the peak, just grey rock, patchy ice, and mist. Yet, it’s still packed. Expect an exhausting, full-day affair filled with endless queues for park shuttles, cableways, and boardwalks. You'll spend half the day jostled along in a sea of people.Quick Tips:Wear solid walking shoes: Non-negotiable for hundreds of boardwalk stairs at 4,680m.Oxygen: Vendors sell it like survival gear. I didn't use mine, but most people huff it continuously. Pace yourself and listen to your body.Time: Write off the whole day.It’s an iconic check-the-box spot, but go in mentally prepared for the hustle. Blue Moon Valley at the base remains a great silver lining!

Overall, I recommend visiting Kunming. I originally planned to go for the nighttime activities, but after having dinner near the entrance it was already past 8 PM, and the park staff advised against going in. So we entered the park at 11 AM the next morning. Because I had a child with me, we didn't plan to spend too much time there, so we didn't hire a guide. We regretted it a bit after entering, but finding a guide later was difficult. I recommend hiring a guide upon entry; it costs 200 yuan for 3 hours. It allows you to learn about the various ethnic cultures and customs, and also helps you avoid missing some villages and performances while exploring on your own.

Excellent package. No Q and vip treatment. The assigned tour guide is friendly and good!

The architecture is distinctive, and it's quite photogenic. However, it's essentially a modern, man-made tourist attraction; it's not particularly interesting, with nothing particularly fun or story-driven. People who enjoy taking photos and checking off landmarks can come here; it's definitely suitable for posing and taking pictures.

Tiger Leaping Gorge is truly breathtaking! Seeing it in person truly makes you appreciate the immense power of nature. The Jinsha River roars and surges through the gorge, its waves crashing against the banks, creating a deafening roar. The spray from the water on the viewing platform is incredibly impactful. The cliffs on both sides are majestic and precipitous, with snow-capped mountains visible in the distance – the scenery is magnificent and photogenic. The scenic walkways are well-maintained, making it relatively easy to explore, even for seniors. The signs are clear, the environment is clean, and there are no hidden fees. Although the mountain paths are quite challenging, seeing this world-class canyon scenery makes it all worthwhile. I highly recommend visiting Tiger Leaping Gorge when you come to Yunnan; it's an unforgettable stop on your trip!

The weather down the mountain was actually quite nice, a bit overcast but the temperature was alright. As the cable car ascended higher and higher, the entire Dali city and Erhai Lake slowly came into view below. That stretch of scenery was truly worthwhile; looking down through the cable car glass, I finally had a truly concrete feeling about "Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake" for the first time.

A truly worthwhile destination; the experience exceeded my expectations. Although there were no seagulls and the water hyacinths weren't in full bloom at Lugu Lake in late September, it was still incredibly beautiful. Whether you start from Lijiang or Dali, it's very friendly to independent travelers, with convenient public transportation. A tour around the lake is also easy, and the stone pot fish and cured pork rib hot pot are delicious.