Stand on Baoxiu Road West in the late afternoon and Taibao Hill rises straight ahead of you, a green mound in the middle of the city with temple roofs showing through the trees. That hill, and the cluster of sights around its base, is the heart of a visit to Baoshan.
Baoshan suits travellers who prefer museums, temples and wetlands to theme parks, and who are happy to use the city as a base for the wider prefecture. Buses reach most of the places below, and several of the best are free.
This guide covers the sights in Longyang District and the experiences the destination is known for, with practical notes on timing and what to pair with what.
Top things to do in Baoshan
1. Baoshan Museum
A small but comprehensive museum with exhibitions on the natural history of the prefecture, the ethnic minorities who live in the area, and Baoshan's experience during World War II. It is free, and the range of subjects makes it a good first stop for context before you visit the temples and the old town.
It is on Longyang Road in Longyang District. Bus nos. 2A, 11 and 17 stop outside; bus nos. 3, 4, 5, 13A, 13B and 16 stop nearby. Opening hours are 08:30-11:30 and 14:30-17:30, so plan around the long midday closure.
2. Taibao Park
One of Baoshan's oldest parks, centred on Taibao Hill, a prominent hill in the middle of the city. The climb is not hard and you get good views over the city from the top. Several temples, a zoo and a museum sit within the park.
Entry to the park is free, though some attractions inside charge a small fee. To get there, take bus no. 1, 9 or 9 north, get off outside the Baoshan People's Hospital, then walk west down Baoxiu Road West. The park is open all day.
3. Jade Emperor Pavilion
A large Taoist temple dating from the Ming Dynasty, and the base of the Baoshan Taoist Association. It sits at 132 Baoxiu Road West, near the eastern entrance to Taibao Park, so it fits naturally into the same outing.
Do not confuse it with the smaller and much more recently built Jade Buddha Temple just next door. Entry is free.
4. Baoshan Qinghuahai National Wetland Park
An important breeding ground for dozens of different bird species, and the best time to see the birds is in the winter months. The park also includes manmade attractions such as the Yongchang Pavilion.
It is in Longyang District and open all day, with free entry. Take bus no. 7, 8, 10, 11, 13A or 13B and alight near the amusement park.
5. Yiluo Pool
A small scenic lake on the south side of Yiluo Park. Surrounding features include a World War II memorial, a Buddhist temple and a pagoda, which together make this a compact stop with several things to look at.
It is at 2 Longquan Road in Longyang District, reached by bus no. 10, and open 08:00-18:00. Entry is free.
6. Guangzun Temple
A rare mixed-religion temple dedicated to all three of China's main religions: Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. It was established during the Tang Dynasty and rebuilt during the Qing Dynasty, and during the Second World War it was used as a command post by the Chinese Expeditionary Force. It is now a national heritage site.
It is in Shike Village, Banqiao Town, Longyang District. Take bus no. 5 or 23 to Tongguang Road, then walk 1.7 km east. Entry is free.
7. Wuhou Temple
A 19th century temple dedicated to Zhu Geliang, a famous statesman and military strategist of the Three Kingdoms period. It is free and open 07:00-17:00, which makes it one of the earlier starts available in the city.
8. Museum of Famous Historical Figures in Baoshan
Displays busts of many of the famous people who have lived in Baoshan, each with biographical information beneath it in Chinese and English. It is free and open 08:30-11:30 and 14:30-17:30, the same hours as the Baoshan Museum, so the two can be paired in one day if you use the middle of the day for something else.
9. Taibao Park Zoo
A fairly typical old-style Chinese zoo featuring animals in cramped, spartan cages, with bears, lions, monkeys and other popular zoo animals. It is at 114 Baoxiu Road West in Longyang District, inside Taibao Park, and entry is ¥20.
Go in knowing what it is. If old-style zoos are not for you, the temples and the hill views in the same park are free and worth the trip on their own.
10. Heshun Ancient Town Hiking Tour
Stroll through the streets of the ancient town, visit traditional houses and ancestral halls, and take in traditional life and culture. This is a walking experience rather than a single sight, so allow time to wander rather than treating it as a quick stop.
11. Tengchong Volcanic Hot Spring Experience
Soak in the volcanic hot springs and experience the geothermal resources of the area. It pairs well with a day spent outdoors, and is one of the experiences the destination is known for beyond the city itself.
12. Nature Photography and Birdwatching
Capture the natural scenery and birdlife at the Dashanbao Wetland and Volcanic Scenic Area. If birds are your priority, note that the best time to see birdlife at Baoshan Qinghuahai National Wetland Park is in the winter months, so a winter trip serves both.
13. Cultural Experiences
Join workshops in local calligraphy, pottery and folk crafts. These are hands-on sessions rather than displays, so they suit travellers who want to make something rather than only look at it.
14. Culinary Experiences
Savour Tengchong delicacies such as local chicken hot pot, cold rice noodles and local snacks. Build a meal around the hot pot and use the cold rice noodles and snacks for lighter eating earlier in the day.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start at Baoshan Museum on Longyang Road when it opens at 08:30, using the first session before the 11:30 closure to get your bearings on the prefecture's natural history, ethnic minorities and wartime history. If you have time before the doors close, the Museum of Famous Historical Figures in Baoshan keeps the same hours and can be slotted in alongside.
Afternoon. Head to Baoxiu Road West and spend the afternoon around Taibao Park: climb Taibao Hill for the city views, then visit Jade Emperor Pavilion near the eastern entrance. If you want the zoo as well, Taibao Park Zoo is at 114 Baoxiu Road West and charges ¥20. If you would rather stay outdoors, take bus no. 10 to Yiluo Pool instead, which is open until 18:00 and has a World War II memorial, a Buddhist temple and a pagoda around the lake.
Evening. Finish with a culinary experience, sitting down to Tengchong local chicken hot pot, with cold rice noodles and local snacks if you want something lighter earlier in the evening.
Frequently asked questions
Which sights in Baoshan are free?
Baoshan Museum, Baoshan Qinghuahai National Wetland Park, Guangzun Temple, Taibao Park, Jade Emperor Pavilion, the Museum of Famous Historical Figures in Baoshan, Wuhou Temple and Yiluo Pool are all free. Taibao Park Zoo charges ¥20, and Taibao Park itself is free even though some attractions within it charge a small fee.
When is the best time to visit Baoshan Qinghuahai National Wetland Park?
The best time to see the birds is in the winter months. The park is open all day and entry is free.
How do I get to Baoshan Museum and Taibao Park by bus?
For Baoshan Museum on Longyang Road, bus nos. 2A, 11 and 17 stop outside, and bus nos. 3, 4, 5, 13A, 13B and 16 stop nearby. For Taibao Park, take bus no. 1, 9 or 9 north, get off outside the Baoshan People's Hospital, then walk west down Baoxiu Road West.
What should I not confuse Jade Emperor Pavilion with?
Jade Emperor Pavilion should not be confused with the smaller and much more recently built Jade Buddha Temple that is just next door.
Pick your dates, check the museum's morning and afternoon sessions against your arrival, and start building the rest of the trip around Taibao Park and the wetland.