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3 Days in Yuxi: Itinerary 2026
Start your trip in the city center around Hongta District. Visit the Hongta Mountain and the iconic Hongta Pagoda in the morning. After lunch, explore the Yuxi Museum to learn ab… 🗺️ Day 1 Overview
Start your trip in the city center around Hongta District. Visit the Hongta Mountain and the iconic Hongta Pagoda in the morning. After lunch, explore the Yuxi Museum to learn about local history and culture.
🍜 Day 1 Lunch Spot
Head to Old Street (Lao Jie) for authentic Yuxi rice noodles at a local favorite, Yuxi Rice Noodle King. A bowl costs around 15-20 CNY and is served with rich broth and toppings. The street is a 10-minute walk from the museum.
🌅 Day 1 Evening
Spend the evening at Nie'er Park, a scenic lakeside area perfect for a stroll. The park is free and open until 10 PM. For dinner, try the nearby Fuxian Lake fish restaurants, about 15 minutes by taxi.
🏞️ Day 2 Fuxian Lake
Dedicate Day 2 to Fuxian Lake, about 40 minutes by bus from Yuxi city. Start at the Bijiashan scenic area for panoramic views. Then head to the lakeside beach for swimming or a boat ride. Entry to Bijiashan is 30 CNY.
🍲 Day 2 Lunch
Have lunch at a lakeside restaurant like Yunnan Flavor Garden, specializing in steamed fish and wild mushrooms. A meal for two costs around 80-120 CNY. The restaurant is a 5-minute walk from the beach area.
🌄 Day 2 Afternoon
In the afternoon, visit the Fuxian Lake Science and Technology Museum (20 CNY) to learn about the lake's ecosystem. Alternatively, hike the nearby mountains for sunset views. Return to Yuxi city by bus before 7 PM.
🏯 Day 3 Cultural Sites
On Day 3, explore the Tonghai County, 1 hour by bus from Yuxi. Visit the Tonghai Confucian Temple (free) and the ancient town. Then head to Xiushan Park (10 CNY) for a peaceful walk among temples and gardens.
🚌 Getting Around
Yuxi has a reliable bus network with fares of 1-2 CNY. Taxis start at 8 CNY for the first 3 km. For Fuxian Lake and Tonghai, take long-distance buses from Yuxi Bus Station. Renting a car is also an option for flexibility.
That itinerary covers the main spots pretty well. One thing I'd add is that the Yuxi Museum has a free guided tour in Mandarin at 10 AM and 2 PM, which makes the exhibits way more interesting than just walking through on your own. For Day 3 in Tonghai, if you have time after Xiushan Park, the little lake on the other side of the county is a 20 minute walk and has a completely different vibe from Fuxian, just locals fishing and a few tea houses with outdoor tables. The bus from Yuxi to Tonghai runs every 30 minutes but the last one back leaves at 6 PM sharp, so keep an eye on the clock.
if you're around on a weekend morning, the flower market near hongta mountain is worth a wander - it's just a side street that fills up with vendors selling potted orchids and those little succulents everyone's into, prices start at like 5 yuan. for day 3 in tonghai, the new moon noodle shop on the main street does a mean bowl of cross-bridge rice noodles for 18 yuan, way less touristy than the places in the ancient town. also the bus to tonghai drops you off about a 15 minute walk from the temple, just follow the crowd of old ladies with shopping bags
honestly the yuxi museum is worth maybe an hour tops, the real local history is in the old street itself if you just wander the side alleys. there's a tiny shop near the rice noodle king that sells handmade paper fans for like 10 yuan, the lady there has been doing it for 30 years and she'll show you how they're painted if she's not busy. also for day 2 at fuxian lake, the water is surprisingly cold even in summer so bring a light jacket for the boat ride, i learned that the hard way shivering the whole time
Things to Do in Yuxi (2026)
Start your cultural journey at the Hongta Pagoda, a towering white structure that has become the city's symbol since the Ming dynasty. Located in the city center at Hong… 🏯 Explore Ancient Temples
Start your cultural journey at the Hongta Pagoda, a towering white structure that has become the city's symbol since the Ming dynasty. Located in the city center at Hongta Park, it's free to enter and offers panoramic views of Yuxi. Nearby, the Fuxian Temple on Fenghuang Road provides a quieter glimpse into local Buddhist practices with its intricate carvings and incense-filled halls.
🏞️ Visit Fuxian Lake
Fuxian Lake, about an hour's drive south of Yuxi city, is one of China's deepest freshwater lakes and a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. You can rent a bike to cycle the lakeside paths or take a boat tour to see the mysterious underwater city ruins. Entry to the lake area is free, but boat rentals start at around 80 RMB per person.
🍜 Taste Local Yuxi Noodles
Yuxi is famous for its rice noodles, especially the 'crossing-the-bridge' style served in a rich broth with sliced meats and vegetables. Head to the old town area on Renmin Road, where small family-run stalls like Lao Ma Noodle House serve bowls for 15-25 RMB. Don't miss the spicy pickled vegetables that add a local kick to every bite.
🎭 Catch a Flower Lantern Show
Yuxi is the birthplace of Yunnan's unique Flower Lantern opera, a vibrant folk performance combining singing, dance, and colorful costumes. The Yuxi Grand Theatre on Hongta Avenue hosts regular shows, with tickets ranging from 50 to 150 RMB. Check their schedule in advance, as performances are often held on weekends and during festivals.
🚌 Getting Around Yuxi
Public buses are the most affordable way to navigate the city, with routes covering major attractions and a flat fare of 2 RMB. Taxis start at 8 RMB, and ride-hailing apps like Didi are widely available. For trips to Fuxian Lake, consider taking a shared minibus from the Yuxi Bus Station, which costs around 20 RMB per person.
🛍️ Shop at Yuxi Old Street
Yuxi Old Street, located near the intersection of Renmin Road and Yuxi Street, is a pedestrian-only lane lined with shops selling local handicrafts, jade jewelry, and Yunnan tea. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the asking price. The street comes alive in the evenings, with food stalls offering grilled skewers and sweet rice wine.
🌿 Hike in Longmen Mountain
Just 20 minutes from downtown, Longmen Mountain offers well-marked hiking trails through pine forests and past ancient stone carvings. The main trail takes about two hours round trip and rewards you with views of the entire Yuxi valley. Entry is 30 RMB, and it's best to go early in the morning to avoid the midday heat.
🌙 Best Evening Spots
As dusk falls, head to the Hongta Park area where locals gather for evening tai chi and street performances. For a livelier scene, the bars along Nie'er Road offer craft beers and live music, with drinks averaging 30-50 RMB. The night market on Yuxi Street is perfect for late-night snacks like grilled fish and sticky rice cakes.
for a quieter take on the lake, rent a scooter from one of the shops near the bus station, like 50 rmb for the day. the east side road from haikou to jiangchuan is mostly empty even on weekends, with random spots to pull over and swim. just keep an eye on the gas gauge, there's only one station on that stretch near the old ferry dock
also the old street market is better for breakfast than dinner imo. get there before 8am and you'll find fresh rice rolls with minced pork and a side of that spicy pickled veg they do here. the ladies at the stall closest to the south gate have been running it for like 20 years, they'll remember your order after the first visit
honestly the fuxian lake dive site is worth mentioning if you're adventurous. there's a spot near the underwater city ruins where local operators do guided snorkeling for like 150 rmb, you can see old stone foundations and pottery shards just 5 meters down. beats the boat tours hands down for a unique experience
for the flower lantern shows, the grand theatre is fine but check if the old town stage on yuxi street has weekend performances in spring. it's free and more intimate, the performers are retired locals who've been doing it since the 80s. just show up around 7pm and grab a stool
That bit about the old town stage for flower lantern shows is spot on. I stumbled into one during the mid-autumn festival a couple years back and sat on a borrowed stool next to an elderly couple who kept offering me sunflower seeds. The performers are definitely retired locals and they take requests if you're polite about it, just nod and say "zai lai yi ge" between songs.
For the lake, skip the bike rental altogether and just walk the boardwalk near the north shore at sunset. There's a section just past the Luchong village pier where the water turns this unreal shade of turquoise around 6pm and the fish jump right next to you. No cost, no crowds, and the bus back to Yuxi runs until 8 from the stop by the main gate.