Create meetup in Qujingchevron_right
Select a place on the map to change the location.
I want to meet
Verified required?
explore Qujing Guides
bar_chart Trends in Qujing
Best Food in Qujing (2026)
Qujing is famous for its bold, spicy flavors, with cross-bridge rice noodles (guoqiao mixian) being the star. Another local specialty is Qujing roasted potatoes, often ser… 🍜 Must-Try Local Dishes
Qujing is famous for its bold, spicy flavors, with cross-bridge rice noodles (guoqiao mixian) being the star. Another local specialty is Qujing roasted potatoes, often served with a variety of chili dips. For a true taste of the region, try the sour and spicy fish hotpot, which is a staple in many local restaurants.
🏪 Top Restaurant Picks
For an authentic cross-bridge rice noodle experience, head to Qiaoxiangyuan (桥香园) on Linyin Road, where a bowl costs around 25-35 CNY. For roasted potatoes and other Yunnan snacks, visit Laojie Potato Shop (老街土豆店) on Dongfeng Street, with prices starting at 10 CNY. For a sit-down meal with local hotpot, try Yunnan Flavor Restaurant (云南风味餐厅) at 88 Cuifeng Road, where a hotpot for two runs about 80-120 CNY.
🌮 Street Food Hotspots
The night market on Nanmen Street (南门街) is the best place for street food, with stalls selling grilled skewers, fried tofu, and sticky rice cakes. Most items cost between 5 and 15 CNY, and the market is busiest from 6 PM to 10 PM. Another great spot is the area around Qilin Park (麒麟公园), where vendors sell freshly made erkuai (rice cakes) and sugar-roasted chestnuts.
🍵 Best Breakfast Spots
Start your day at a local breakfast stall serving erkuai (rice cakes) with pickled vegetables and chili oil, often found near the Qilin District bus station. For a heartier option, try the rice noodle soup with braised pork at Lao Ma Tou (老码头) on Jianshe Road, open from 7 AM to 11 AM, with bowls starting at 12 CNY.
🍰 Sweet Treats and Snacks
Don't miss Qujing's rose-flavored pastries (huabing) available at Jixiang Pastry Shop (吉祥糕点店) on Zhongshan Road, priced at 8 CNY each. Another local favorite is the glutinous rice cake with brown sugar syrup, sold by street vendors near the Confucian Temple for 5 CNY. For a refreshing drink, try the local yogurt drink from Yunnan Dairy (云南乳业) shops, costing around 6 CNY.
💰 Budget and Price Guide
Street food meals typically cost 10-20 CNY per item, while a full meal at a mid-range restaurant runs 30-60 CNY per person. High-end dining at places like Qujing Grand Hotel (曲靖大酒店) on Cuifeng Road can cost 100-200 CNY per person. Most restaurants accept WeChat Pay and Alipay, but cash is useful for small street vendors.
📍 Neighborhoods to Explore
The Qilin District (麒麟区) is the culinary heart of Qujing, with the most diverse food options. The area around Qilin Park offers a mix of street food and sit-down restaurants. For a more local experience, head to the Zhanyi District (沾益区), known for its traditional Yunnan farmhouse dishes like steamed chicken and wild mushroom soups.
🚌 Getting Around for Food
Most food hotspots are within walking distance in the city center, but buses and taxis are affordable for longer trips. Bus routes 1, 3, and 9 connect major food areas like Nanmen Street and Qilin Park, with fares of 2 CNY. Taxis start at 8 CNY and are easy to hail via apps like Didi.
that guide is pretty thorough but they missed the best late night snack spot in my opinion. after 10pm there's a cart that sets up right outside the east gate of qilin park, old guy with a white hat sells these incredible fried rice cakes with spicy sausage and pickled radish. 8 cny and he wraps it in a bamboo leaf, keeps it warm for ages
for drinks try the fermented rice wine at the small shop on beimen street, it's sweet and barely alcoholic and costs like 3 cny for a big cup. perfect after all that spicy food to cool your mouth down
honestly the guide is solid but it's missing the best spot for cross-bridge rice noodles imo. there's a tiny hole-in-the-wall called Yang's Noodle on a side street off Dongfeng, no english sign just a red banner. the soup is made with chicken and pork bones and they bring it to you still bubbling hot, the owner's been doing it for like 30 years. 20 CNY a bowl and they close by 2pm so you gotta go for lunch
also if you're into spicy stuff the dried chili fried chicken at Yunnan Flavor Restaurant is way better than the hotpot there. it's like 45 CNY and comes with these crispy fried peanuts and dried chilies you can actually eat. pair it with a cold bottle of the local Dali beer and you're set
The guide is right about Nanmen Street but most visitors miss the small lane that runs behind the main market. There is a lady there who sells grilled tofu with a fermented bean dip that's been her family recipe for over twenty years. It's 5 CNY for six pieces and she's usually set up by 7 PM.
For something not mentioned, try the wild mushroom hotpot at a place called Shan Zhen on Wenhua Road, especially during rainy season from June to August. They use fresh local fungi and the broth gets incredibly rich after simmering for an hour. A pot for two runs about 100 CNY but it's worth every yuan.
3 Days in Qujing: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip at the Qujing Confucian Temple (No. 1 Wenming Road, open 8:30-17:30, free entry). Spend the morning exploring the serene halls and gardens. For lunch, head to… 🗺️ Day 1: City Center
Start your trip at the Qujing Confucian Temple (No. 1 Wenming Road, open 8:30-17:30, free entry). Spend the morning exploring the serene halls and gardens. For lunch, head to Laojie Snack Street (near the temple) for local specialties like steam pot chicken and rice noodles. In the afternoon, walk to the nearby Nanpan River promenade for a leisurely stroll. End the day with dinner at Hongji Restaurant (No. 88 Liaojiu Road, average 60 CNY per person).
🏞️ Day 2: Zhanyi District
Take a 40-minute bus (route 33, 2 CNY) from the city center to Zhanyi District. Visit the Zhanyi Tiankeng (sinkhole) and the adjacent Pearl Spring (open 8:00-18:00, entrance 30 CNY). Enjoy a picnic lunch at the scenic spot or eat at a local farmhouse restaurant near the entrance. In the afternoon, hike the Zhanyi Karst Forest trails for panoramic views. Return to the city by bus before 18:00.
🏯 Day 3: Luliang County
Catch an early bus from Qujing East Bus Station to Luliang County (1.5 hours, 25 CNY). Explore the Luliang Ancient Town (free entry, open all day) with its Ming and Qing dynasty architecture. For lunch, try the famous Luliang roasted duck at Old Town Restaurant (No. 15 South Street, about 50 CNY). In the afternoon, visit the Colorful Sand Forest (20-minute taxi from town, 40 CNY entrance, open 8:00-17:00). Return to Qujing by bus before 19:00.
🚌 Getting Around
Qujing's public buses cost 1-2 CNY per ride and cover most attractions. Taxis start at 8 CNY, with a 10-15 CNY average for short trips within the city. For day trips to Zhanyi or Luliang, buses are the most economical option. Renting a car with a driver costs about 300-400 CNY per day and offers more flexibility.
💰 Budget Tips
Most attractions in Qujing have entrance fees under 50 CNY. Street food meals cost 10-20 CNY, while sit-down dinners average 40-60 CNY per person. Carry cash for small vendors and bus fares, as not all accept mobile payments. Discounted combo tickets for multiple sites are sometimes available at the tourist information center near the train station.
🌙 Evening Activities
In the city center, the area around Nanmen Square comes alive at night with food stalls and live music. For a quieter evening, stroll along the Nanpan River illuminated walkway. The Qujing Night Market (off Liaojiu Road, open 18:00-23:00) offers grilled skewers and local snacks. Alternatively, catch a performance at the Qujing Grand Theatre (tickets from 80 CNY).
🍜 Must-Try Foods
Qujing is famous for its steam pot chicken (qiguo ji), a tender chicken dish cooked in a special clay pot. Also try the local rice noodles (mixian) served with spicy broth and pickled vegetables. For dessert, sample the rose-flavored cakes sold at bakeries near the Confucian Temple. Don't miss the roasted duck in Luliang County, which has a crispy skin and aromatic herbs.
oh nice, someone actually put together a proper itin for qujing. i lived there for a bit and your day 3 is solid but honestly the colorful sand forest is way better in the late afternoon light around 4pm, the colors pop way more than in the morning heat. for the night market, skip the stuff right off liaojiu road and walk one block east to the little alley with the old lady selling grilled tofu, shes been there for years and her chili dip is legit. also if you're around the confucian temple area for breakfast, there's a tiny shop on wenming road just past the entrance that does fresh youtiao and soy milk for like 5 yuan, way better than the touristy spots on laojie street.
yeah this is a really well put together guide, covers most of the bases. i'd add that on day 2, the bus route 33 is fine but if you're not in a rush, the minibuses that leave from the old north bus station on jianshe road are more frequent and drop you closer to the tiankeng entrance, saves a 15 minute walk from the main stop. also for the pearl spring, bring a small bottle to refill, the locals all do it and the water's actually drinkable, has a slight mineral taste but it's cold and clean straight from the source
one thing the guide doesn't mention is that qujing has a pretty solid morning market culture. if you're around the confucian temple area before 9am, walk two blocks east on wenming road to the intersection with xinhua road, there's a big covered market that sets up with fresh fruit, dried mushrooms, and those little flower cakes they sell everywhere. the vendors are super friendly and will let you taste stuff, great for picking up snacks for the day trips
for the luliang roast duck, the old town restaurant on south street is fine but there's a smaller place on north street near the east gate that does a better version, it's called zhang ji kaoya and it's literally just a hole in the wall with two tables. the skin is crispier and they use a different herb mix, plus it's
Good to see someone put real thought into a Qujing itinerary. I've been going there for years and one thing I'd change is the day 1 lunch recommendation. Laojie Snack Street is fine but the place two doors down from Hongji Restaurant, the one with the red lanterns and no English sign, does a better steam pot chicken. They use an older clay pot and the broth has more depth. About 55 yuan per person and the waitress will tell you to dip the chicken in the dry chili mix they bring out.
For the Colorful Sand Forest on day 3, if you're going in summer or early autumn, aim to arrive by 3pm instead of later. The light is good until about 5 and you avoid the worst of the heat. Also the taxi drivers at the bus station in Luliang will try to charge you 50 yuan for the ride there, just walk one block south to the main road and flag one down for the standard 40 yuan fare.