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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 toβ¦ πΊοΈ 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).
ποΈ 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.
π― 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.
π 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.
π° 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.
π 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).
π 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.
Things to Do in Qujing (2026)
Qujing is famous for its dramatic karst formations, and the most accessible spot is the Jiulong Waterfall Cluster in Luoping County, about a 90-minute drive east. Dβ¦ ποΈ Explore the Karst Landscapes
Qujing is famous for its dramatic karst formations, and the most accessible spot is the Jiulong Waterfall Cluster in Luoping County, about a 90-minute drive east. During the rainy season from June to September, the waterfalls are at their most powerful, and the surrounding rice terraces turn vibrant green. Entry costs around 80 RMB, and the best time to visit is early morning to avoid crowds.
πΊ Visit the Luoping Rape Flower Fields
If you're coming in late February or March, the Luoping rape flower fields are an absolute must-see, with endless yellow blossoms covering the hills. The best viewpoints are at Jinji Peak and the Duoyi River Scenic Area, both easily reachable by local bus from Luoping town. Entry to the main viewing platforms is free, but parking can be crowded on weekends.
ποΈ Discover Qujing's Old Town
The Qujing Old Town area, centered around Dongfeng Road, retains a handful of Ming and Qing dynasty buildings, including the historic Wenming Street. You can wander through the narrow alleys to find local snack stalls selling roasted chestnuts and sticky rice cakes. The nearby Qujing Confucian Temple, built in 1496, is a peaceful spot and costs only 10 RMB to enter.
π Hike the Duoyi River Scenic Area
The Duoyi River Scenic Area, located about 40 kilometers south of Luoping, offers a stunning combination of karst peaks, clear rivers, and caves. A popular activity is taking a bamboo raft ride (50 RMB per person) through the gorge, followed by a short hike to the Duoyi Waterfall. The entire loop takes about 3 hours, and the trail is well-maintained with stone steps.
π Taste Local Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles
Qujing has its own take on the classic Yunnan cross-bridge rice noodles, often served with a rich chicken broth and local ham. For an authentic bowl, head to Qiaoxiangyuan on Liaojiu Road, where a standard set costs around 25 RMB. The restaurant is open from 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and the broth is simmered for hours, so the flavor is deep and savory.
π Getting Around Qujing
Qujing city itself is compact and walkable, but to reach the outlying attractions like Luoping or the Jiulong Waterfalls, you'll need to take a long-distance bus from Qujing's main bus station. Buses to Luoping depart every 30 minutes from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and the fare is about 40 RMB one way. Once in Luoping, local minibuses connect to the scenic spots for 10-20 RMB per ride.
π Best Evening Spots
As night falls, the area around Nanmen Square comes alive with street food vendors and casual beer stalls. Try the grilled skewers at the night market on Wenhua Road, where you can sample local specialties like grilled tofu and spicy rabbit head. For a quieter evening, the promenade along the Nanpan River offers a pleasant walk with views of the illuminated bridges.
π‘ Insider Tips for Your Visit
Most attractions in Qujing are cash-friendly, so carry enough small bills for entry fees and snacks. The local dialect can be thick, but younger people in tourist areas usually speak some Mandarin. If you're visiting in spring, pack a light jacket as mornings can be chilly, and always bring sunscreen and a hat for the outdoor hikes.
This is a really thorough guide, covers everything I'd tell a friend visiting for the first time. One thing I'd add for the Old Town area is that there's a tiny museum on Wenming Street, the Qujing Folk Arts Center, that's easy to miss because the entrance is just a red door between two snack stalls. It's free and has some beautiful old embroidery and silverwork from the Yi and Miao ethnic groups, plus the old lady who runs it will sometimes offer you tea and chat if it's quiet.
For the evening spots, the Nanmen Square area is great but a lot of visitors don't realize the best grilled tofu is from the auntie with the cart at the northwest corner of the square, not the permanent stalls on Wenhua Road. She's there from around 7pm until she runs out, usually by 10pm, and her chili dipping mix is way better than the stuff the restaurants use. Grab a couple of the small plastic stools and eat right there on the curb, that's how locals do it.
Yeah this is a really solid list, I'd just add that if you're into hiking, the trail behind the Duoyi River scenic area that goes up to the old watchtower is totally free and gives you an insane view over all the karst peaks, most tourists don't know about it.
honestly this is a solid guide, really captures the main stuff. one thing i'd add is if you're hitting the jiulong waterfalls in summer, bring a poncho or a change of clothes. the mist from the falls is no joke, you'll be soaked even from the viewing platforms.
for the cross-bridge rice noodles, i'd actually recommend skipping qiaoxiangyuan and trying a smaller place called lao yang mi xian on jiefang street instead. the broth's a bit richer and they give you more side dishes for the same 25 kuai. the owner's been running it for like 20 years so he knows what he's doing.
also a heads up on the luoping flower fields in march - the local buses from luoping town to jinji peak can get packed by 8am. if u can, grab a taxi or didi for like 30 yuan to beat the rush. way less hassle and u get teh sunrise light on the hills