Things to do in Zhaotong
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Top 10 attractions in Zhaotong
The Huanglian River Scenic Area
The Huanglian River Scenic Area is located in the Daguan County of Zhaotong City. With waterfall views as its main attraction, it presents natural wonders such as caves, rain forests, and rare animals and plants, as well as cultural exhibits such as ancient tombs, prehistoric relics, and ethnic customs. A great getaway destination, it is a multipurpose sightseeing district for tourism, vacation, rock climbing, scientific expeditions, and other recreational activities.Daguan · 3.9 km from downtown
Dashanbao Black-necked Crane National Nature Reserve
The Dashanbao Black-necked Crane National Nature Reserve is located in Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province. It is an important wintering ground for black-necked cranes. The reserve is about 3,100 meters above sea level. The climate is cold in winter and there is often snow, forming a unique plateau wetland ecology. From November to March of the following year, black-necked cranes fly from Qinghai and other places, making it an ideal place for bird watching enthusiasts. Dashanbao is not only famous for its black-necked cranes, but also attracts tourists for its magnificent natural scenery. There are vast meadows, lakes and mountains here, which are particularly charming at sunrise and sunset. Visitors are advised to wear warm clothes and carry binoculars and cameras to better observe and record black-necked cranes. There are bird-watching platforms and trails in the reserve, which are convenient for tourists to get close to nature. The local village provides simple accommodation and catering services, allowing tourists to experience the simple plateau life. In order to protect the ecological environment, tourists must abide by relevant regulations and not interfere with wild animals.Zhaotong · 39.1 km from downtown
Dashanbao Scenic Area
Dashanbao attraction, located in Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, is an ideal destination for self-driving tours and consists of four attractions:Jigong MountainFairy Field, Tiaodun Lake andDahaizi.Jigong MountainIt is magnificent and spectacular, making it an ideal place to view the sea of clouds and watch the sunset.DahaiziYou can see the sunrise and black-necked cranes. Looking out over the Dashanbao attraction, a classic grassland scene unfolds before your eyes. A vast expanse of green grassland is dotted with cattle and horses, and several small lakes are scattered throughout. It would be a shame not to capture this paradise-like scenery with your camera. visitors can climb...Jigong MountainThere you can see a sea of clouds and watch the sunset. Local residents sell roasted eggs and potatoes on the mountain; you might want to try them.Zhaotong · 41.6 km from downtown
Zhaotong Ancient City
Zhaotong Ancient City is one of the better-preserved old towns from the Qing Dynasty in northeastern Yunnan. It is an important part of the local historical district and an area where local history and culture are well-preserved. Dou Street is built on a slope, with Chinese-Western style arcade buildings standing on both sides of the slate-paved road, serving as the starting point for many visitors. The names of streets and alleys like Huaiyuan Street, Tiaoshui Lane, and Maohuo Street still retain the traces of the era of horse caravans and markets. After restoration, some streets and alleys still maintain their traditional scale and architectural style, where you can see wooden structures, brick-and-wood structures, and residential buildings with local characteristics. Today, while preserving its historical layout, it has also incorporated functions such as intangible cultural heritage workshops, specialty dining, and cultural performances, but it remains centered on historical streets, traditional architecture, and urban life.Zhaotong · 262m from downtown
Sanhaidong
The Shanhai Cave Attraction is based on the Classic of Mountains and Seas and is built around the main story line of "Searching for the Secret Realm of Mountains and Seas and Tracing the Origin". The cave uses sound, light, electricity and other technological means to perfectly present more than 40 dream scenes such as Nuwa mending the sky, Chiyou's battlefield, birds paying homage to the phoenix, and Yu killing Xiangliu, allowing you to be immersed in the scene and enjoy a visual feast.Daguan · 15.4 km from downtown
Dousha Gate Ancient Town
Doushaguan Scenic Area is located 22 kilometers southwest of Yanjin County. It consists of 60 scenic spots in four areas, including Doushaguan, Sangushui, Lianhuadong and Dalishan, covering an area of about 70 square kilometers. The landscape includes the majestic and dangerous ancient post road Doushaguan, the gorgeous scenery of Laoli Mountain, the round hills and peaks with stars holding the moon, the dreamy and blurred natural maze, the precious flowers all over the mountains, the towering ancient trees, the picturesque Sangushui waterfall, and the rich and ancient cultural relics. It is a tourist attraction in northeastern Yunnan on the way to Sichuan and the northwest. Doushaguan was formerly known as Shimenguan. It was the first dangerous pass for the ancients to enter Yunnan from Shu. The turbulent Guanhe River split the steep stone mountain into two like a sharp sword, forming a huge stone gate, locking the ancient Sichuan-Yunnan road. The rock wall on the west bank is engraved with large characters such as "Southern Yunnan Hub" and "Its Danger is Like This", and it is known as the "First Pass in Southern Yunnan". Doushaguan has the famous "Five-foot Road" ruins. The Five-foot Road was first built in the Qin Dynasty. It is now about 350 meters long and five feet wide. Each stone step is different in width and height. There are dozens of horse hoof prints on the road. It is an important passage from Sichuan to Yunnan, to Myanmar and India, the "Shu-Shendu Road" (ancient Southwest Silk Road). Doushaguan has a Tang stele pavilion, and on the rock wall inside the pavilion is the famous Tang Yuanzi Moyan. Yuan Zi was the imperial envoy Zhongcheng of the Tang Dynasty and a famous calligrapher. This Moyan was carved by Yuan Zi when he passed by Shimenguan when he was on a diplomatic mission to Yunnan in 794 AD (the 10th year of Zhenyuan in the Tang Dynasty). It has now been listed as a national key cultural relic. On the Dongyan rock wall facing the Moyan, you can see the mysterious ancient "Bai people hanging coffin" burial. There are 5 ancient Bai people hanging coffins in existence, which are of great value for studying the rise and fall of the Bai people and are precious cultural relics.Yanjin · 13.8 km from downtown
West Grand Canyon Hot Spring
Western Grand Canyon Hot Springs is a popular weekend destination for families. The resort offers a wide range of mineral springs infused with flower petals, vinegar, alcohol, and milk. There is also a water park for children.Shuifu · 4.5 km from downtown
Western Grand Canyon Hot Springs
The Western Grand Canyon Attraction is a natural leisure destination with canyon landforms and hot spring resources as its core. Relying on the unique terrain of the Jinsha River, the Attraction cleverly combines the precipitous canyon with the soothing hot springs to form a "hard and soft" tour experience. The canyon area retains its original geological features. Visitors can walk along the cliff plank road and overlook the magnificent view of the rushing river, or challenge the lightweight hiking route and feel the wildness of the rocky mountains. The hot spring area offers a variety of bathing pools to choose from. The spring water comes from deep underground, the water quality is clear, and the water temperature is suitable. The bathing pools are scattered according to the mountain terrain. There are semi-open viewing hot spring pools and private small pools surrounded by green plants to meet the recreational needs of different groups of people. The Attraction focuses on the design of activities that combine movement and stillness: the water park has facilities such as a wave pool and a rafting river, which are suitable for family interaction; the night light show uses the canyon cliff as a backdrop to interpret natural and human stories with light and shadow. The local specialty food street brings together Zhaotong small meat skewers, Tianma stewed chicken and other flavors, allowing the taste buds and body and mind to relax simultaneously. The Grand Canyon of the West does not deliberately pursue "check-in" landscapes, but focuses on the natural tension of the canyon and the healing feeling of hot springs to create an immersive journey for tourists that can both get close to nature and relieve stress. This place is especially suitable for travelers who want to temporarily leave the hustle and bustle of the city and find a sense of balance between mountains and rivers.Shuifu · 4.6 km from downtown
Tongluoba National Forest Park
Tongluoba National Forest Park is located in Shuifu County, Zhaotong City, more than 40 kilometers away from the county seat. There are five streams, eighteen small basins, seven small lakes and dozens of waterfalls in the scenic area. It is a relatively complete subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forest area in northeastern Yunnan. Show in one, beautiful scenery, is a good place for leisure travel. The mountains and forests in Tongluoba National Forest Park are very beautiful. In the Pigeon Valley, several dove trees are concentrated in a row. When the flowers bloom, they dance like thousands of white pigeons in the forest. There are also thousand-year-old elephant trunk trees, ancient trees with intertwined roots and vivid images. Chashan Ridge, Rhododendron Forest, when the flowers bloom, it is dazzling and dizzying.Shuifu · 33 km from downtown
Wuchidao Scenic Area
The Wuchi Road is an ancient official road connecting Yunnan and the mainland. Although this road is narrow, it has the same significance as the 50-step wide "Chiaodao" built by Qin Shihuang in other parts of the country. It is an important trade route between Yunnan and Shu.Yanjin · 14.1 km from downtown
Free things to do in Zhaotong
The Huanglian River Scenic Area
Daguan · 3.9 km from downtownImmediate access, Book now for today, Cancel anytimeDashanbao Black-necked Crane National Nature Reserve
Zhaotong · 39.1 km from downtownDashanbao Scenic Area
Zhaotong · 41.6 km from downtownZhaotong Ancient City
Zhaotong · 262m from downtownSanhaidong
Daguan · 15.4 km from downtownBook now for tomorrow, Cancel anytimeDousha Gate Ancient Town
Yanjin · 13.8 km from downtownWest Grand Canyon Hot Spring
Shuifu · 4.5 km from downtownBook now for today, Cancel anytimeWestern Grand Canyon Hot Springs
Shuifu · 4.6 km from downtownTongluoba National Forest Park
Shuifu · 33 km from downtownWuchidao Scenic Area
Yanjin · 14.1 km from downtown
More ways to travel from Zhaotong
What travelers say about Zhaotong
M29***2221 June 2026
5.0
It doesn't require much physical exertion, and you can reach all the checkpoints. The scenery is beautiful, with many waterfalls of various shapes and sizes. The air is incredibly rich in oxygen ions. You can take a water slide down the mountain. The price is reasonable, and it's just a few minutes to the parking lot at the scenic area entrance.
The Huanglian River Scenic Area
A欢888820 April 2025
5.0
家人们，大山包自然风景区是非常值得去的，有雄奇险峻的峡谷，广袤无垠的高原草，多样的生物种类 变幻莫测的天象，独特的民族文化，值得大家去打卡的好地方
Dashanbao Black-necked Crane National Nature Reserve
Anonymous user28 September 2026
5.0
This scenic area is somewhat overshadowed by its unassuming name; in reality, the scenery is exceptionally beautiful. Highland meadows, seas of clouds, lakes, herds of cattle and sheep, and a cool climate make it comparable to Xinjiang and western Sichuan. The landscape is also richly layered, with attractions like the glass walkway, Fairy Fields, Jumping Mound Lake, and Jigong Mountain easily worth a full day's visit.
Dashanbao Scenic Area
游侠半仙3 May 2023
5.0
The core area of Zhaotong Ancient City is 2.97 square kilometers centered on Yuanmenkou, which is the urban area before 1985. There are four gates in Zhaotong Ancient City: Fuzhen Gate in the east, Jining Gate in the south, Jichuan Gate in the west, and Quma Gate in the north.
Zhaotong Ancient City
帝国统帅664 October 2025
4.0
Shanhai Cave, located in Shanggaoqiao Township, Daguan County, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, was formerly known as Qinglong Cave. It is a karst cave formed by an underground river and stalactites. The cave's towering cliffs and golden stalactites create a unique karst landscape. It is a comprehensive tourist attraction integrating natural scenery, historical culture, and leisure and entertainment.
Sanhaidong
M50***419 August 2026
4.0
The Dousha Pass Five-Foot Road Scenic Area wasn't as magnificent as I'd imagined, and the core area wasn't very large either; a round trip took less than an hour. However, the hanging coffins of the Bo people on the opposite cliff were quite amazing. Although Dousha Ancient Town isn't large, it has a long history, and various shops and restaurants line both sides of the street, making it quite lively.
Dousha Gate Ancient Town
小飞龙14 April 2025
5.0
The Western Grand Canyon Scenic Area is mainly dominated by hot springs. The hot springs here are not only open-air, but also large in area and deep in water, proving that they are natural hot springs, otherwise the heating costs would be unaffordable. Although the supporting facilities here are not as good as some high-end hot springs, they are sufficient. We also happened to catch the rehearsal of the Water Splashing Festival and enjoyed the singing and dancing performances for free.
West Grand Canyon Hot Spring
老老倪6 April 2023
5.0
The Western Grand Canyon is located on the south bank of the Jinsha River in Baweicao, Shuifu County, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, covering an area of 3,150 acres. It is now a national 4A-level scenic spot. The Grand Canyon is a picturesque Jinsha River valley with green mountains, steep gorges and dangerous waters. About 2,400 meters underground, it contains 8,000 cubic meters of high-quality minerals with a daily flow of 85 degrees high temperature, high pressure and high flow, and the first-class hot springs in China. It is a comprehensive scenic spot with hot spring bathing as the main feature, collective leisure, vacation, entertainment, and conference products. There are also red tourist attractions such as Luohanba, Tongluoba, Huanglianhe Waterfall Group, Dousha Ancient Town Shimenguan, Black Neck Crane Wintering Habitat, and Zhaxi Conference on the Long March Road.
Western Grand Canyon Hot Springs
118***317 May 2025
4.0
The scenic area is built around the reservoir, with mountains, water, and waterfalls. You can take a cruise to drink tea and coffee, and the Lansheng Pavilion overlooks the whole view of the Fairy Lake. Overall, the scenery is average. It is suitable for leisure and exercise.
Tongluoba National Forest Park
小灰灰_1666 October 2021
5.0
In the third century BC, after the Qin State occupied Bashu, Li Bing, the governor of Qin and Shu, built the first inland access to Yunnan, the "Bai Dao", from Baidao (today's Yibin) through Shimen Pass to Qianqingchi (Zhaotong), by piling up firewood and burning stones. It is very meaningful and worth a visit!
Wuchidao Scenic Area
