Xiaocaoba Scenic Area in Yiliang County, Zhaotong
Attraction Overview
Located 29 km northeast of Yiliang county seat, Xiaocaoba Scenic Area covers an area of some 160 square km. It teems with tubers of elevated gastrodia and this scenic area is vibrant with life by its steep cliffs, rushing waterfalls, dense forest, vast grassland, as well as ethnic cultures of the Yi and Miao.
Chinese Name: 彝良县小草坝旅游区(Pinyin: Yiliang Xiaocaoba)
Best Time to Visit: All-year-round
Recommended Visiting Time: 2 Hours
Open Hours: 7:00-17:00
Admission Fee: CNY 45
Location: Yiliang County, Zhaotong City of Yunnan Province
Why is Xiaocaoba Scenic Area So Special?
Xiaocaoba provincial scenic spot is a masterpiece of nature. Covering an area of 160 square km, the natural reserve densely covered by trees, which is known for its rich natural scenery including virgin forests, rivers, steep peaks, waterfalls and cascading waterfalls, ponds, stone forests and other landscapes as well as Miao and Yi ethnic customs. The vegetation coverage of this area reaches nearly 80%. It impresses visitors with its magnificence, miraculousness, serenity and elegance. High bio-diversity is another mighty appeal.
Where is Xiaocaoba Scenic Area – Location
Xiaocaobai, located on the northeast of Yiliang County in Yunnan Province, covers an area of 163 km2, and it is 32 km away from the county and 400 km from Kunming.
Natural Resources
According to statistics, there are at least 1,200 kinds of higher plants and more than 96 kinds of vertebrates, of which there are 29 kinds of endangered plants such as Davidia involucrate and Tetracentronsinense, 10 kinds of rare pants such as Chinese yew and basswood, and 16 kinds of state-protected rare animals such as black bear, macaque and golden pheasant.
Features of Xiaocaoba Scenic Area
Numerous peaks, deep valleys, mountain streams, waterfalls and cascading waterfalls and mist-covered scene constitute the miracle of Jiuzhaigou in Sichuan Province and graceful and restrained artistic conception of Zhangjiajie in Hunan Province. Appreciate the flowers in the Spring, and ten miles of flowery streams are extremely beautiful; view waterfalls in the Summer, waterfalls and cascading waterfalls make you linger; pick up red leaves in the Autumn, the forest of maple shows colorful scene; step on the snow in the Winter, and the rime scenery and silver thread are intoxicating. After a snowfall, Xiaocaoba scenic spot becomes a fairyland, presenting tourists with frozen waterfalls, snow-covered primitive forests and other picturesque landscapes.
Every March 3 is the Huashan Festival(花山节) of Miao people and every June 24 is the Torch festival of Yi, when the minorities gather together singing and dancing to celebrate the festivals.
How to Get there
Tourists can take the regular bus from Yiliang to Xiaocaoba, and may also head from the Yiliang County via chartered bus. The road condition from Yiliang to Xiaocaoba is average, and there are quite a few curves.
