Yuxi City is at the center of Yunnan province, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) south of Kunming. With its location at the western end of the Yunnan–Guizhou Plateau, it has a landscape that varies from the mountainous northwestern region down to the flat plains of the southeast and has richly varied and complex geographic features, such as mountains, valleys, lakes, plateaus and basins.
The climate of the Yuxi region is a subtropical plateau monsoon climate, with mild, spring-like weather year round. It is hottest in June and coldest in December or January.
Yuxi offers a great richness of discoveries to explore, from the mountains, rivers, lakes and waterfalls to temples and museums, a major tobacco factory, arcades, dance exhibitions in the parks, free opera performances, bars, restaurants and tea houses.
Yuxi’s population is about 2.5 million, which includes many ethnic minorities that preserve many of their traditional customs, including Yi, Hani, Dai, Hui, Mongolia, Bai, Miao and Lahu peoples.
Among Yuxi's most popular attractions are its many lakes, including Fuxian Lake, Xingyun Lake, Qilu Lake and Yangzong Lake.
Fuxian Lake, which is near Yuxi City, is the second-deepest freshwater lake in China. Besides its awesome visual beauty, natural freshness and the recreational pleasures it offers, it also has the mysterious distinction of having been the site of the discovery ancient fossils that are now on display in the Yuxi museum.
Yuxi is known around the world for high-quality rice and tobacco. It is one of the top-producing regions in the world for high-quality tobacco. It’s the base of the Hongta Tobacco Group, the largest cigarette company in China and the fifth largest in the world.
Yuxi also has the honor of having been the home of Nie Er, the Chinese musician who composed the national anthem of the People's Republic of China.
Some of Yuxi's most popular tourist areas are the Chengjiang Fossil Site, and the many scenic areas of Mount Mopan, Mount Ailao, Mount Xiushan, Mount Maotian and the Yudai River.
Popular recreational attractions in and around Yuxi City include Nie Er Park, Huilong Ecological Park and Huaning Xiangbi Hot Spring Resort. Tourist Resorts of Ethnic Minorities: Eshan, Yuanjiang and Xinping.
Special products that are characteristic of Yuxi and make good souvenirs include Tonghai silver ornament, Tonghai cloth umbrellas, Tonghai bean powder candy and Huaning dried rice noodles.
Yuxi is about a two-hour' ride from Kunming by train. The city has two stations for inter-city bus service, and there is local bus service within the city.
