Location: Located in the middle
of Yunnan Province, Yuxi is neighbor to
Kunming
City, Simao District, Honghe and Chuxiong States.
History: Yuxi was once the core area of Yunnan
Province during the Previous Qin Dynasty (period before 221BC).
In the Western Han Dynasty
(206BC-24AD), it became a county of Yizhou Shire. The following
dynasties witnessed the continuous separations and unifications
of the area. It was not until 1997 that Yuxi became a prefecture-level
city of the Republic of China.
Physical Features: Yuxi is in the west edge
of Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with complex geographic features including
mountains, valleys, lakes, plateaus and basins. Fuxian Lake is
China's second deepest lake. The whole area extends from high
northwest to low southeast. The urban city is about 1,630 meters
(1,782 yards) above the sea level.
Climatic Features: Yuxi enjoys a subtropical
plateau monsoon climate, which blesses the city with all-like-spring
four seasons all year round. The hottest month is June while the
coldest is in December or January.
When to Go: Best time to visit Yuxi is between
summer and autumn. Because of the high temperature difference
between morning and night, you'd better take a coat when you go
there in spring or autumn.
Local Highlights: Endowed with pleasant climate,
Yuxi is rich in crops and tobacco leaves, hence its honor 'Barn
of Middle Yunnan Province' and 'Hometown of Yunnan Tobacco'. Yuxi
Cigarette Company (Hongta Group) has become a famous cigarette
making company. Its product brands such as Hongtashan, Ashima
and Hongmei have been popular for many years in China. Yuxi also
has beautiful natural sceneries and colorful cultures. Various
festivals, dances, musics and folk cultures of different ethnic
minority groups should not be missed on Yuxi travel. In addition,
it is the hometown of Nie Er (1912-1935), the famous musician
who has wrote many revolution songs including China's present
national anthem.
Special Local Products:
Handicrafts: Tonghai silver decorations and cloth umbrella
Foods: Tonghai bean powder candy; sesame pieces; Huaning dried
rice noodles; 'three treasures' on Mt. Yuanlao (beet, Citou Cai-a
kind of potherb with thorns and Yangnai Cai (a kind of potherb
with sheep-milk-like juice))
Scenic Spots: Mt. Mopan Scenic Area, Mt. Yuanlao
Scenic Area, Mt. Xiushan, Mt. Maotian, Fuxian Lake, Xingyun Lake,
Yudai River
Recreation: Nie Er Park, Huilong Ecological
Park, Xiangbi Hot Spring
Tourist Resorts of Ethnic Minorities: Eshan,
Yuanjiang and Xinping
Tourist Tips: From Kunming to Yuxi, it takes
approximately two hours by train. There are two bus stations in
Yuxi. The Central Bus Station is located near the crossroad on
Shanhu Rd. Buses to Kunming and other provincial cities start
from there every day. The Chengxi Bus Station is located on Qixing
Street, from where visitors can go to Yuanjiang, Chengjiang, Jiangchuan
and other counties. Yuxi city buses are quite convenient and cheap.
The general ticket is from CNY1 to CNY2 per person.