Stand on Liaokuo South Road in the late afternoon and the hill above the city comes into view, with Jingning Pagoda on its summit catching the last of the light. That walk up, past paved and shaded trails, is as good an introduction as any to Qujing.
Qujing suits travellers moving through eastern Yunnan who want a city with a mild highland climate, short dry winters and warm, rainy summers, and who are happy to spend their time on hillsides, in caves and along market streets rather than in queues. Most of the year's rain falls from June to October, so plan indoor and cave time loosely around summer afternoons.
This guide covers the sights and streets the sources describe, with practical notes on how to combine them.
Top things to do in Qujing
1. Jingning Pagoda
A tower on top of a hill, visible from most of the city, with an impressive view of the area. The trails up are mostly covered and paved, and depending on your fitness level and how direct a path you choose, the hike could take 30 minutes to one hour. You can visit the interior of the tower to see some local art, though there are no windows.
Enter the park near Weisheng Stone Forest Hotel, or on Liaokuo South Road. A shuttle up to the tower is available if you would rather not walk.
2. Tiansheng Cave
A park with a very large and impressive cave, along Z014 road in Zhanyi District. Coloured lights inside make for some very nice photos, and the trail inside is well marked and an easy walk.
Because the walk is straightforward and the cave is the main draw, this works well as a half-day outing rather than a quick stop.
3. Emerald Mountain Film and TV Set
A filming location that is also a theme park, at 370 Wangsantun Village, Cuifeng Street. There is a roughly 4km road up to the summit, and on the way there are different attractions such as a Chinese village with some shopping, temples, a glass bridge, and a mountain slide.
Entrance includes the temples and village; a round trip shuttle to the summit and the other attractions are priced separately, so decide in advance how much of the hill you want to cover.
4. Qilin Water Town
A wetland park with trails, boat rides, and lots of flowers, in Xinwei Community, Yanjiang Subdistrict. It is very striking when the lavender and lotus are blooming.
Time your visit to the flowering season if you can, and allow time to walk the trails rather than only taking a boat.
5. Qujing Museum
A comprehensive museum presenting the history, archaeology and regional culture of Qujing. Its permanent exhibitions cover topics including the source of the Pearl River, local Cuan culture and the history of eastern Yunnan.
It is closed Mondays except public holidays, and last entry is 16:00, so arrive with enough time before that. Take bus 3, 4, or 33.
6. Qujing Bund
A large outdoor market with shops, street food, restaurants, and bars at 168 Sanjiang Ave. It is especially busy on weekends, popular with young people, and is the nightlife capital of the city.
Come in the evening, and come on a weekend if you want the fullest version of it.
7. Qilin Alley Commercial Street
A popular shopping street off Qilin South Road, with tea, coffee, and restaurants.
It pairs naturally with a wander through the centre rather than as a destination on its own.
8. Tanghang Road
Relatively quiet during the day, but in the late afternoon vendors come out to sell snacks and other crafts. It also has many teahouses and bars, with a much more quiet vibe than the Bund.
Choose this over the Bund when you want a slower evening, and come in the late afternoon for the vendors.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start with the hike up to Jingning Pagoda, entering the park near Weisheng Stone Forest Hotel or on Liaokuo South Road, and take the shuttle up if you prefer to save your legs. Follow it with the Qujing Museum, taking bus 3, 4, or 33, and arrive well before last entry at 16:00.
Afternoon: Head to Tiansheng Cave along Z014 road in Zhanyi District for the coloured lights and the easy marked trail inside. If you have time left, walk the trails and flowers at Qilin Water Town in Xinwei Community.
Evening: Spend it at Qujing Bund on 168 Sanjiang Ave for street food, restaurants and bars. If you would rather have a quieter night, go to Tanghang Road instead, where the teahouses and bars are calmer than the Bund.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of year to visit Qujing?
Qujing has short, mild, dry winters and warm, rainy summers, with most of the year's rainfall from June to October. Winter days generally warm up to around 15 °C, while summer daytime temperatures rise to 25 °C. If you want the lavender and lotus at Qilin Water Town, plan around their blooming season.
How do I get to Qujing and around it?
Qujing is linked to Kunming by National Highway 320, with a drive time of about three hours, and buses to Kunming depart from Qujing Bus Station every half hour. By express train it takes one and a half hours to Kunming, and since the Shanghai–Kunming high-speed railway opened in December 2016, 45 minutes to Kunming South High-speed Train Station and an hour to Guiyang North High-speed Train Station from Qujing North High-speed Train Station. Within the city, taxis and buses are available, and the taxi base rate is RMB 7 for the first 2.5 km.
Which sights are free?
Jingning Pagoda, Tiansheng Cave, Qilin Water Town and the Qujing Museum are free, though the shuttle up to Jingning Pagoda costs ¥10. At Emerald Mountain Film and TV Set, entrance includes the temples and village, while the round trip shuttle to the summit and the other attractions are charged separately.
What should I do in the evening?
Qujing Bund is the nightlife capital of the city, especially busy on weekends. Tanghang Road is the quieter alternative, with teahouses and bars and vendors who come out in the late afternoon.
Work out which of these fit your days, check the museum's closed Monday and the cave and hill walks against the season, and you can start planning your trip to Qujing.