Qinglong Gorge in Anning City, Kunming
Qinglong Gorge (青龙峡) is located in the northwest of Anning City (安宁市), approximately 29 kilometers away from the urban area of Anning and 20 kilometers from hot springs. The gorge has convenient transportation access, with the Anfu Road (安富公路) passing through it and a station on the Chengkun Railway (成昆铁路) nearby (Qinglong Station, 青龙站). The total area of Qinglong Gorge is about 19 square kilometers and features ancient forests and beautiful waterfalls. Minority groups have lived in this region for generations.
Overview
- Chinese Name: 青龙峡
- English Name: Qinglong Gorge
- Location: Kunming City (昆明市), Yunnan Province (云南省)
- Area: 19 km²
- Opening Hours: Year-round, Monday to Sunday, 09:00 AM – 05:00 PM
Main Attractions
The scenery within Qinglong Gorge is characterized by dense forests, well-preserved vegetation, ancient vines, babbling streams, cascading waterfalls, spinning waterwheels, sunlight casting warm hues, and simple local customs. The attractions are distributed across five main zones:
- Drifting Adventure Zone: Qinglong Gorge’s drifting experience is known as “the best drift in central Yunnan” and is the most engaging tourist activity. This area includes 17 attractions, such as:
- Cattle Returning Home (牧牛归耕)
- Fragrant River Crossing (禾香渡)
- Flower Valley (群芳坞)
- Ancient Forest Exploration Zone: This area features 20 attractions, including:
- Ancient Vine Swing (古藤荡秋千)
- Streamside Pavilion (溪山草亭)
- Ancestral Ruins (先人遗址)
- Stream and Valley Sightseeing Zone: Here, you can explore 12 attractions, including:
- Waterfront Mountain Lodge (水踞山房)
- Serene Stream (芳溪静流)
- Valley Exploration (溪谷探源)
- Minority Group Village Scenic Area: This zone showcases 6 attractions and recreational activities, such as:
- Yi Village Scenery (彝寨风光)
- Archery Hunting (弓箭狩猎)
- Horse Riding (骑马)
- Flower Adventure Zone: This area consists of 9 attractions, including:
- Exquisite Flower Realm (玲珑花界)
- Spring Flowers by the Stream (花溪春早)
- Fragrant Pavilion (染香亭)
The gorge also offers facilities such as restaurants, parking lots, guest rooms, and camping tents. Visitors who stay overnight can participate in ethnic-themed bonfire parties.
Geographical Environment
Qinglong Gorge is located in the northwest outskirts of Anning City (安宁市), approximately 29 kilometers from the city center and 20 kilometers from nearby hot springs. It has favorable transportation links, including the Anfu Road (安富公路) and the Chengkun Railway (成昆铁路) with a station (Qinglong Station, 青龙站). The total area of the scenic area is about 19 square kilometers.
Travel Guide
The climate in Kunming (昆明) is mild throughout the year but has distinct wet and dry seasons. January and February are particularly pleasant, making them ideal for travel. Late July marks the “Torch Festival” celebrated by the Yi, Bai, Nala, and Mongolian ethnic groups, and visitors can explore nearby Stone Forest (石林) while enjoying the festival festivities.
From July to August, most regions in China experience intense heat, while temperatures in Kunming range between 20-25°C, making it a perfect summer retreat. Kunming is suitable for tourism throughout the year.
Driving Directions
To reach Qinglong Gorge from downtown Kunming, follow this route:
- Kunming City Center → Dongfeng East Road → Baita Road → Chuncheng Road → Fude Interchange → Second Ring South Road → Guannan Interchange → Hangrui Expressway → Kun’an Expressway → Mingbo Interchange → Biji Pass Tunnel → Xiaohubian Tunnel → Anchu Expressway → Anfengying/Yimen Exit → G320 → Luping Line → C717 → Longchuan Street → Anfu Road → Qinglong Gorge Scenic Area.
Zones Overview
- Zone 1: Drifting Adventure
- Zone 2: Ancient Forest Adventure
- Zone 3: Stream and Valley Adventure
- Zone 4: Minority Group Village Adventure
- Zone 5: Flowers Adventure
