Shilin Changhu Lake
Shilin's Changhu Lake, shaped like a slim maiden, is the home of Ashima in folklore. As it is hidden in the green mountains and inaccessible to visitors in the past, it is also known as the ‘Hidden Lake.’
Come here for a two-day, one-night camping stay and you can enjoy a barbeque at the lake and even dip your toes in the water. There’s also a Yi ethnic bonfire party to enjoy in the evening.
Address：Changlu Lake Scenic Area, Shilin County, Kunming
Yiliang Moon Valley
Colourful wild flowers blossom in spring; flowers scent the valley and trees swing in the breeze in summer; yellow leaves reflect with green mountains in autumn; and there’s sunshine on you rather than snow in winter.
You will discover continuous mountains in green along the large rift valle of Yiliang Moon Valley.
Sparsely populated, the area has long attracted flocks of wild ducks here beside the mountains and water.
It’s also a good location for camping at the waterside, where you can light up a barbeque and take it all in. In the morning, you will wake up to the beautiful green mountains and hear the song of birds in the woods.
Route: Kunming — Shantou-Kunming Highway (G80, Kunming-Shilin Highway) — Yiliang — Gengjiaying Township — Xinshizipo Village (road end) — walk to the Moon Valley.
Anning Butterfly Valley
The Butterfly Valley, located in Xiaojingkou Village, Xianjie Township, Anning city, is about 24 km from downtown. It is a small reservoir hidden deep in the mountain ranges, surrounded by the green mountains and water.
Ancient trees tower into the sky, ivy canes surround the road, mountain streams flow in-between. The scenery will have you besotted.
As Xiaojingkou Reservoir is hidden deep in the mountains, it is small and relatively unknown.
Route: Second Ring Road — Kunming-Chuxiong Highway to Anning — Xianjie — Xiaojingkou Dam
Luquan Guihuajing
Guihuajing in Chinese means sweet-scented osmanthus mountain valley. It is a name given by the local people because of a variety of tree found in this area resembles sweet-scented osmanthus trees.
Guihuajing has a waterfall named Amei (means young girl in Chinese language) and another named Alang (meaning young man). The two natural features tell a beautiful love story.
It takes about an hour to find a piece of flat grassland beside the stream to pitch your camping equipment.
Route: Kunming - Luquan - Guihuajing
Jinyuan "Little Qinghai-Tibet Plateau"
Located at the eastern end of Jinyuan Township, in Xundian Industrial Park, the "Little Qinghai-Tibet Plateau" Meadow is about 28 kilometres from Jinyuan Township, covering an area of 40,000 mu.
Here you can experience the fun of camping, enjoy the local wheat knot rice, and go to Reshuitang Village to indulge in a natural hot spring spa.
Route: along the Jiaozi Snow Mountain tourism special line to the Jinyuan Township Government, along the road at the right side of the township government to the mountain top, it is there.
Tips：
Choose flat, dry land and avoid areas where there are risks of falling rocks and mudslides.
The sun is strong on the plateau, so it is best to use the sunscreen to protect yourself from any harm. Be sure to remove your rubbish and dispose of it correctly.