Overview

The Yunnan Baiyao Group is a prominent Chinese pharmaceutical company renowned for its production of Yunnan Baiyao, a traditional Chinese medicine with a storied history. The company, headquartered in Kunming, Yunnan Province, has evolved into a significant player in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, integrating traditional Chinese medicine with modern manufacturing and research.

Historical Background

The origins of Yunnan Baiyao trace back to Qu Huanzhang, an herbalist from Jiangchuan County in Yunnan Province, who formulated the medicine in 1902. Originally named “Qu Huanzhang Panacea,” it was later renamed Yunnan Baiyao (“White Medicine from Yunnan”). The medicine gained fame during the Battle of Taierzhuang in 1938 when Qu donated over 30,000 bottles to the Chinese National Revolutionary Army, allegedly saving many lives.

Notable Events

• 1940s: Army commander Wu Xuexian’s recovery from a severe leg injury without amputation after using Yunnan Baiyao further enhanced the medicine’s reputation.
• 1956: Qu Huanzhang’s wife, Liao Lanying, donated the secret formula to the Chinese government, facilitating large-scale production.
• 1971: Establishment of the Yunnan Baiyao Factory.

Intellectual Property and Brand Protection

The Yunnan Baiyao Group began focusing on intellectual property (IP) protection in the late 1990s in response to counterfeit products. The company registered several trademarks, including “Yunfeng” and “Yunnan Baiyao.” By 2004, the brand was valued at 2.18 billion yuan (US$269 million) and ranked 263rd among the top 500 Chinese brands according to the World Economic Forum and the World Brand Lab.

Patents and Innovation

Prior to 2005, the Yunnan Baiyao Group invested heavily in patent registration and technological innovation. Key milestones include:

• 2002: Application for three invention patents.
• 2004: Total number of patents reached 14.
• October 2005: The company had applied for 36 invention patents and 40 design patents, reflecting its commitment to innovation.

Controversies and Regulatory Issues

• 2013: Officials in Sichuan Province banned the sale of Yunnan Baiyao powders and pills due to defective wrappers causing water contamination and mold issues.
• February 2013: Hong Kong’s Department of Health found undeclared potentially toxic aconitum alkaloids in Yunnan Baiyao products, leading to a mandatory recall and temporary sales ban in Hong Kong and Macau.

Secrecy and Trade Secrets

The formula and production processes of Yunnan Baiyao are protected under the “Law on Guarding State Secrets,” granting the longest period of proprietary secrecy protection under Chinese trade law. This level of secrecy means the exact ingredients are not printed on packaging in China, and production details are withheld from factory workers. Despite this, products sold in the U.S. as dietary supplements must list their ingredients per FDA regulations.

Conclusion

The Yunnan Baiyao Group stands as a significant entity in the pharmaceutical industry, blending traditional Chinese medicinal practices with modern technology. Its historical significance, combined with ongoing innovations and strict IP protection measures, underscores its pivotal role in both the domestic and international markets.

The formula and production processes of Yunnan Baiyao are closely guarded trade secrets. According to the company’s website, the formula includes the steroid progesterone, various saponins, alkaloids, and calcium phosphate. The intricate production process involves thirteen separate teams, each responsible for different herbal ingredients without knowledge of the other teams’ components. A final team combines the prepared mixtures in specific proportions without knowing the individual ingredients.

Chemical analysis has identified protopanaxadiol and panaxatriol, sapogenins found in ginseng (Panax ginseng) and notoginseng (Panax pseudoginseng), in Yunnan Baiyao powder through capillary supercritical fluid chromatography. It is advised not to use Yunnan Baiyao with alcohol or during pregnancy.

Disclosure and Ingredient Lists

In December 2010, purported lists of Yunnan Baiyao ingredients were published on Amazon.com and the FDA’s website. These lists, allegedly containing eight active ingredients of a liquid form, were part of correspondence between the FDA and a distributor. Ingredients for the powdered and capsule forms were also listed on Amazon.com. However, the exact proportions and manufacturing processes remain undisclosed.

The 2010 FDA document listed the following active ingredients in Yunnan Baiyao products:

• Notoginseng (Panax pseudoginseng) root
• Borneol (Dryobalanops aromatica) crystal
• Boea clarkeana entire plant
• Inula coppa root
• Lycopodium complanatum rhizome
• Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita) rhizome
• Galanga (Alpinia officinarum)
• Cranebill (Erodium stephanianum) aerial parts
• Camphor (Cinnamomum camphora) crystal extracts
• Peppermint (Mentha haplocalyx) leaves

Secrecy and Legal Protection

Under the “Law on Guarding State Secrets,” Yunnan Baiyao’s formula and production processes receive the highest level of protection under Chinese trade law, preventing disclosure on packaging in China and within the production facility. In the U.S., Yunnan Baiyao products sold as dietary supplements must list their ingredients per FDA regulations. Yunnan Baiyao Group officials have denied allegations of double standards, asserting that ingredients are reported only to drug authorities, and any unauthorized disclosure should result in legal accountability.

Regulatory Issues

In early 2013, Sichuan province officials banned the sale of Yunnan Baiyao powders and pills due to defective wrappers causing water contamination and the presence of mold. In February 2013, Hong Kong’s Department of Health found undeclared potentially toxic aconitum alkaloids in Yunnan Baiyao products, prompting a mandatory recall and temporary sales ban in Hong Kong and Macau.

Development and Early Use

Yunnan Baiyao, initially formulated as “Qu Huanzhang Panacea” by Chinese herbalist Qu Huanzhang from Jiangchuan County, Yunnan Province, emerged from extensive herb explorations in 1902. Qu tested hundreds of herbs before finalizing the formula, which later gained renown as “White Medicine from Yunnan” or Yunnan Baiyao.

During the Battle of Taierzhuang in 1938, Qu’s donation of over 30,000 bottles to the Chinese National Revolutionary Army reportedly saved many soldiers’ lives, solidifying its reputation as an effective remedy.

Notable Cases and Government Involvement

In the 1940s, army commander Wu Xuexian avoided amputation for a severe leg injury using Yunnan Baiyao, a decision made after the French hospital in Kunming recommended amputation. Wu’s remarkable recovery without surgery bolstered Yunnan Baiyao’s reputation as a miraculous treatment.

After Qu Huanzhang’s death, his wife, Liao Lanying, donated the secret recipe to the government. Qu’s earlier trademark registration in 1935 marked an initial attempt at intellectual property (IP) protection for Yunnan Baiyao.

Modern Production and Intellectual Property

Large-scale production of Yunnan Baiyao commenced in 1956 following Liao Lanying’s donation of the recipe to the Chinese government. The establishment of the Yunnan Baiyao Factory in 1971 marked a significant milestone. Concerns over counterfeit products prompted the company to intensify IP protection efforts starting in the late 1990s, registering trademarks like “Yunfeng” and “Yunnan Baiyao.”

By 2004, Yunnan Baiyao achieved a valuation of 2.18 billion yuan (approximately US$269 million) and ranked 263rd among the top 500 Chinese brands according to the World Economic Forum and the World Brand Lab.

Patents and Technological Innovation

Before 2005, Yunnan Baiyao invested nearly 1 million yuan (US$123,300) in patent registration, product industrialization, and technological innovation. The company applied for three invention patents in 2002, increasing the total to 14 by 2004. As of October 2005, Yunnan Baiyao had filed applications for 36 invention patents and 40 design patents, highlighting its commitment to innovation and robust IP protection strategies.

Hello, I’m Dianna Zhou, a marketing consultant. At the same time, I’m also a girl who loves singing and traveling. My hometown is Dali, so I chose Tourism English as my major in Yunnan Normal University.

In my mind, the memories of my hometown are folk songs echoed in the mountains, the colorful cloud in the blue sky, the steep mountains and rushing rivers, and the bowl of rice noodles cooked by my grandma. I hope that through my efforts, more people can find the beauty of Dali and see the magnificent landscapes of Yunnan.

It’s my honor to become a member of Yunnan Exploration, and thanks to the help from my colleagues, I could get close to my dream step by step. I will use my professional knowledge to provide you with excellent service, and share with you the wonderful experiences about travel. If you have any needs, please do not hesitate to contact us, we will tailor your unforgettable tours.

About Lishejiang River

Lishejiang river(礼社江), the name of the upper reaches of the Yuanjiang River, originated in the east foot of Ailao Mountain, Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County, Yunnan Province. The main stream flows through Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yuxi City, after the confluence with Luzhijiang River(绿汁江) in Yuxi City, it is called Yuanjiang river(元江). After flowing into Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, it is also known as the Honghe River(红河), and Honghe river is injected into the Beibu Gulf(北部湾) after leaving Hekou Yao Autonomous County. Lishejiang river, in Yunnan Province, mainly flows through Yuanjiang Hani, Yi and Dai Autonomous County, Honghe County, Yuanyang County(元阳), Hekou(河口) Yao Autonomous County. The main tributaries are Nanjian River(南涧河), Pixiong(毗熊) River(Juli River苴力河), Niujie River(牛街河), Malong River(马龙河) and so on.

Where is Lishejiang River?

Lishejiang river(礼社江), located in central Yunnan, is originated from the north of Weishan(巍山) Yi and Hui autonomous county. The altitude of river head is 2,650 meters above the sea level, the overall length is 282 kilometers, with a natural drop of 2045 meters, belonging to Honghe(红河) river system.

About Honghe River

Lishejiang River(礼社江) is the upper reaches of the Honghe River(one of the great rivers in southwest China), and Honghe River(Red River) and Yunling mountain(云岭) divide Yunnan Province into two parts, east and west, which is an important geographical boundary of Yunnan Province. The Honghe River is located between Ailao Mountain(哀牢山) and Wuliang Mountain(无量山), forming a deep valley 2000 meters above sea level. On the Yuanmo(Yuanjiang元江-Mohei磨黑) Expressway, there is the spectacle of the world’s tallest bridge. Honghe River Bridge is one of the most magnificent bridges of its kind in the world. The Honghe River Valley is also one of the hottest places in Yunnan Province, with an annual average temperature of more than 30 ℃. The Honghe River at the exit of Hekou County(河口县) is only 76.4 meters above sea level, the lowest point in Yunnan Province. The Honghe River is also one of China’s international rivers, flowing into Vietnam’s Lao Cai(老街), Yen Bai(安沛), Viet Tri(越池), Hanoi, Nam Dinh(南定), Taiping(太平) and other important cities.

How to Get There

There are long-distance bus, train, airplane and other vehicles you can choose.

1. Long-distance Bus

There are long-distance buses from Kunming to Dali, Chuxiong, Yuxi and Honghe. And regular buses are available between counties and towns.

2. Train

Not every county and city in Dali Autonomous Prefecture, Chuxiong Autonomous Prefecture, Yuxi City and Honghe Autonomous prefecture has their own railway stations, but the main counties and cities like Dali city, Chuxiong City, Hongta District, Mengzi City and Mile City, etc, have railway stations. In addition, there are high speed trains from Kunming to Dali.

3. Airplane

So far, there are no airports in Chuxiong, Yuxi and Honghe, but Dali has Dali Airport.

Accommodation Around Lishejiang River

Lishejiang River flows through Dali, Chuxiong, Yuxi and Honghe in Yunnan province. There are hotels in these places, so accommodation is not a problem.

Useful Travel Tips

1. The river mainly flows through mountainous regions, the temperature difference is large from daytime to night. You are supposed to bring coats in case the changes in the weather.

2. On rainy days, it is prone to nature disasters, try to avoid going out. While on the sunny days, ultraviolet ray in most Yunnan province is strong, please bring sun cream, sunglasses and other sunscreen products.

3. There are a lot of attractions in Dali, Chuxiong, Yuxi and Honghe, such as Dali ancient town, Honghe Hani rice terrace.

4. Lishejiang River has different names when running through difference places, its lower reach is called Honghe River because it flows through Honghe Prefecture.

Caicun Wharf

Located in the west bank of Erhai Lake, Caicun is a beautiful fishing village here. With the booming of tourism in Dali, villagers began to transfer from fishing to tourism. They also run the cruising ship in Caicun Wharf. The cruising ship will stop in two islands nearby. It is 2 km from Dali Ancient Town, so it can be another attraction after visiting ancient town. It will represent the charming landscape of Erhai Lake.

How to get to Caicun Village?

1. Take the No.2 bus in the North Gate of Dali Ancient Town and take of at terminal station.

2. It takes you 30 minutes to drive from Eastern Gate of Dali Ancient Town to Caicun Village.

Useful Travel Tips

When the weather is fine in Dali, the sunshine is heated, and ultraviolet light is strong. People should avoid direct sunlight, and the sun hat preparation is required during outdoor activities, a pair of sunglasses will make you comfortable in the trip.

The news updated on June 28, 2019. 

Hundreds of elementary school students rushed out of classrooms and gathered at the playground of Yingpan Minzu Primary School on June 21.

The school is located in Mangshi city, the Dehong autonomous county of Dai and Jingpo minorities, western Yunnan province.  

This is the time of a day when pupils routinely practice their radio calisthenics. However, the way of practicing it here is never seen before. 

Wearing traditional Jingpo costumes, the students carried out dance-like gymnastic exercises with the companion of ethnic Munao music. 

Munao, which means “let dance together” in the local language, derives from the traditional Munao Song Festival of the Jingpo people.

It was selected as one of the first intangible cultural heritage projects of the nation in 2006.

“We introduced the Naomu to the school in 2014, and now most of our 369 students already know how to dance it,” said Shi Legan, the teacher who invented this form of exercise. 

Our students always have passion for the Munao dance, and we hope to pass this cultural tradition from one generation to another,” added him.

Why is the Moon Bay(YueLiangWan) Wetland Park So Special?

Yueliangwan(Moon Bay) Wetland Park is developed and managed by Yue Chun Hotel悦椿酒店. It is adjacent to Fuxian Lake Yue Chun Resort Hotel and is suitable for strolling on the edge of Fuxian Lake. The wetland park is connected to Yue Chun Hotel(Angxana Fuxian Lake) via an underground passage decorated with ancient fossil pictures and text description. What’s more, Moon Bay Wetland Park is open to hotel guests free of charge. Various kinds of plants are planted in the park, like a botanical garden. On the southernmost side the park, Fuxian lakeside, is an open beach that seems to be on the true sunny shore.

Where is Moon Bay Wetland Park?

Moon Bay Wetland Park, located on the north bank of Fuxian Lake in Chengjiang County, Yuxi City, is adjacent to Fuxian Lake Yuechun Holiday Hotel(Angxana Fuxian Lake). It is the nearest scenic spot to the county seat of Chengjiang County. It is about 60 km away from Kunming and 13 km from Chengjiang Bus Terminal.

Nearby Attractions

1. Cherry Blossom Valley樱花谷

Next to Angsana Fuxian Lake, cherry blossom valley is located on the northeastern side of Fuxian Lake, 15 km away from the Chengjiang county. It is an international high-end elderly care community dominated by high-end health care functional areas, supporting five-star hotels and an ecology landscape theme park of about 200,000 square meters. it is a pension resort area with tourism, strolling, pension, leisure and holiday.

2. Mingxing Scenic Spot明星景区

Mingxing scenic spot includes Mingxing fish cave明星鱼洞 and Biyun mountain碧云山 two major scenic spots. Mingxing fish cave is located on the west bank of Fuxian lake, about 1 km from Mingxing village, Jiangchuan district, Yuxi city.

3. Luchong Scenic Area禄充景区

Luchong Scenic Area is the most beautiful scenic spots on the west bank of Fuxian lake, 19 kilometers away from Chengjiang county. Important attractions of Luchong scenic area include Jianshan mountain尖山, Qilin mountain麒麟山, Wenchang palace文昌宫, Grand Buddha temple大佛寺, Laoyu village老渔村, Dadong Cave大洞, golden beach, Bosiwan波息湾, Biyan park笔砚公园 and Bijia hill笔架山. With the completed tourist facilities and colorful entertainment projects of the scenic area, Luchong Scenic Area is an ideal place for sightseeing and leisure.

4. Chengjiang Biota澄江生物群

Chengjiang biota, located near Maotianshan Mountain帽天山, Chengjiang, Yunnan Province, is a intact early Cambrian paleontological lithosphere. She vividly reproduced the magnificent landscape of marine life and the primitive characteristics of living animals 530 million years ago, providing valuable evidence for the study of the origin, evolution, ecology and other theories of life that lasted 5370 million years in the early period of the Earth

Best Time to Visit

Different seasons have different scenery at Moon Bay Wetland Park. In Spring, various flowers are in bloom, you can enjoy the beautiful cherry blossoms at the cherry blossom valley. In summer and autumn, Yunnan gets hot. Moon bay Wetland Park is an ideal place to escape the heat. In winter, with clear weather and warm temperature, the lake looks more clearer and greener. You can fully enjoy the beauty of Fuxian Lake. Therefore, tour is possible all the year round.

How to Get There

Bus is the main means of transportation to Moon Bay Wetland Park. You can take long-distance bus from Kunming to Chengjiang. After arriving at Chengjiang Bus Terminal, you can take No.2 bus or taxi to the wetland park.

Kunming-Chengjiang County

There are midibuses from Kunming South Bus Station to Chengjiang County. It takes about 1 hour and a half to Chengjiang Bus Terminal. Ticket price is about 20 yuan each person. The phone number of Kunming South Bus Station is 0871-67361722.

Accommodation Around Moon Bay Wetland Park

1. Angsana Fuxian Lake抚仙湖悦椿度假酒店

Address: No.8, Huanhu North Road, Chengjiang County, Yuxi玉溪市澄江县环湖北路8号

Tel: 0877-6818888

Starting Price: 599 CNY

2. Fuxian Lake Yueliangwan Shangjia Hotel抚仙湖月亮湾·尚家酒店

Address: No.8, Huanhu North Road, Chengjiang County, Yuxi玉溪市澄江县环湖北路8号

Tel: 0877-6222190

Starting Price: 139 CNY

3. Cloud Fuxian Lake抚仙湖云之梦度假酒店

Address: No.8, Huanhu North Road, Chengjiang County, Yuxi玉溪市澄江县环湖北路8号

Tel: 0877-6766666

Starting Price: 276 CNY

Useful Travel Tips

1. Moon Bay Wetland Park or Yueliangwan Wetland Park is close to Yuechun Hotel(Angsana Fuxian Lake), If you stay at the hotel, the entrance is free.

2. Ultraviolet ray is strong in summer, when you go to Moon Bay Wetland Park on sunny days, remember to bring sunglasses, sun cream, sunhat or other sunscreen products.

There are 150 families in Dahusai, including Lahu and Han, 60 of which are Lahu and the rest are Han. The Han people live in the upper Liangzi(Shangbian Liangzi/上边梁子) and the Lahu people live in the lower depression(Xiabian Wazi/下边洼子) about half a kilometer apart. The best preserved ancient tea garden in Dahusai is in the riverside village inhabited by the Lahu people. Most of the ancient tea trees over 200 years are here. This ancient tea garden has about 50 or 60 mu, which has not been dwarfed. The tree girth is mostly between 90 cm and 110 cm. Dahusai’s Mao Tea(毛茶) is a little different from its villages in the Western Half Mountains(西半山). It is dark and shiny after being dried. Mengku people call it big black leaves. The tea soup is bright and brilliant. Dahusai was the main tea-producing village in Mengku in 1949. Dahusai was the key tea-growing area delimited by Shuangjiang County in the 1950s. Tea trees were planted every year. Now the tea gardens that can be picked have Sanjiacun Village(三家村) and Tofu village(豆腐寨) in Gongnong(公弄), one is closed to Dongguo Village(懂过) and Dijie Village(地界).

Dahusai Tea Plantation in Shuangjiang County

The best preserved ancient tea garden in the Dahu competition is in the riverside village where the Lahu people live. There are large number of the ancient tea trees of more than 300 years. The branches are tall and thick, and the leaves are bright and green. Enjoying the favorable weather and plenty of rain, it is suitable for the growth of tea. These ancient tea trees show the life perseverance like the spirit of local people.

More Information

Dahusai Village

20 KM away from Mengku Town, Dahusai Village is located at Mengku Town(勐库镇) of Shuangjiang Lahu, Wa, Bulang, and Dai Autonomous County(双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县), bordering with Gongnong Village(公弄村委会) in the south, Genma County(耿马县) in the west, Dongguo Village(懂过村委会) in the north. Dahusai Village(大户赛), Huajiaoshu Village(花蕉树), and Hebianzhai(河边寨) are under its jurisdiction.

Story behind the Tea

Dahusai is a beautifully crafted, mellow-tasting, bitterness-free sheng puer from the heart of Menghai. It looks great. It tastes great. And it has a magical floral fragrance. One can only imagine how many more facets this tea will develop if aged properly for an extended period of time. Da Hu Sai makes excellent tea ceremony material. We use it to show people what manually pressed cakes should look like, what kind material is considered top-grade, and how flavor and fragrance change over multiple steepings. Make sure to treat it nicely. To fully enjoy this delicate sheng, use water of 70-75 °C.

The Tea of Dahusai Village

The elevation of Dahusai Tea Plantation is just next to Sanjiacun(三家村) Tea Garden in Xibanshan Mountain(西半山) of Mengku. Because the best way to go to world-known wild tea plantation in Bangma Snow Mountain is through Dahusai, Dahusai is more well-known than Xiaohusai Village. Many well-known Pu’er tea is based on mixing with Shuangjiang Mengku tea(双江勐库大叶茶), such as Xiaguan Tuocha. After liberation, the recipe of Xiaguan Tuocha was opened to the public, it showed that 60% of the tea was Shuangjiang Mengku tea. During that period, it is a great honor to drink Tuocha from Yongchangxiang(永昌祥) in Sichuang, Tibetan area. Drinkers are more preferred the taste called “Mengku Weidao(勐库味道)”

The tea of Mengku(勐库大叶茶) is so mysterious. The level of internal components in the tea of Mengku is higher than any other Yunnan tea, so this tea appears in other Pu’er tea as a kind of aginomoto(味精). The nearest village is Doufu Village(豆腐寨), about 5 KM apart. There are more than 150 families in Dahusai, the mainly group is Lahu and Han. But the first inhabitants in Dahusai are Lahu and Wa ethnic group. Lahu ethnic group had already started planting tea in Dahusai at least 300 years ago, at present, the tea trees over 200 years are mainly grown around the residence of Lahu people.

The tea of Dahusai is different from the other villages in Xibanshan Mountain(西半山), when they are dry, they became sheen, the local Mengku people call it Daheiye(大黑叶) , the tea infusion is characterized by the aroma of tea, gentle mouth feel, light yellow colour, clear appearance and fine quality. The merchants of Yunxian County(云县) are preferred to buy the tea of Dahusai during the Period of the Republic of China.

Main Attractions

Shennong Temple(神农祠)

The famous Shennong Temple stands at the foot of Dahusai. Local people pay high reverence to this temple. Every traveler will worship and pray for the health and happy life.

Ancient Tea Plantation

The Tea Plantation of Dahusai accounts for 40% of the total.The ancient tea plantation maintains the traditional style. Most of the trees are 800 to 2000 years. Enjoying the tea in Dahusai must be a good choice.

Nearby Attraction

The Ancient Tea Plantations in Mengku Snow Mountain

The Mengku tea growing area is located in Yunnan’s Lincang Prefecture Shuangjiang County town of Mengku. Mengku contains the largest distribution of wild tea trees in Lincang. It is the highest elevation and densest currently known group of Dali variety tea trees growing on earth. These trees grow on the middle and upper reaches of the Shuangjiang County Daxue Mountain and are scattered over more than 12,000mu. Mengku ancient tea trees are considered wild-type wild tea. In evolutionary terms, they are more primitive than Pu’er tea varieties. These trees possess all characteristics and components of tea trees (tea polyphenols, amino acids, caffeine, etc). They can be used to produce and drink tea. It is a valuable resource for researchers of molecular biology and resistant plant breeds. It is the green pearl of Shuangjiang.

Useful Travel Tips

Attraction Transportation:
We can take a shuttle bus from Shuangjiang County to Mengku Town, then transfer a local mini-bus to Dahusai Village.

Attraction Travel Tips:
From March to May, travelers can visit the charming landscape and get rid of the rainy season.

Where is Haba Snow Mountain – Location

Located in the half mountain of Haba Snow Mountain, Heihai Lake or Black Black is also named Black Sea (Heihai/黑海 in Chinese). Haba Snow Mountain or Haba Xueshan is located in 120 kilometers southeast Shangri-La city, Yunnan province. Mountain raises 5396m above the sea level, and is one of the tallest peaks in Yunnan province. Its lowest slopes are crossed by the popular Tiger Leaping Gorge trail.

Why is Haba Snow Mountain So Special

Haba Snow Mountain is a mountain rising above the northwest side of Tiger Leaping Gorge in Yunnan, China. It rises opposite the higher Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and towers 3,500 metres above the upper reaches of the Yangtze River(Jinsha River). There are numerous alpine glacial lakes located in the reserve, most of which are more than 3,500 meters above sea level. Among them, the sceneries of Heihai Lake, Yuanhai Lake, Huanghai Lake and Shuanghai Lake are most enchanting.

How is the Heihai Lake Formed

Alpine moraine lakes is a glacier relic formed by ancient cirque hydrops which is the only glacial relic distribution area of “Dali glacial period” in the area of “three parallel rivers”. Heihai Lake is the most famous one.

Features

The lake is deep and mysterious, and the landscape varies from season to season. It is located at an altitude of 4,200 meters to the southeast of Haba snow mountain, belonging to a typical plateau glacial lake with an average depth of 18 meters, and the lake area is 3,800 square meters. Inside the lake swims the alpine snow fish, also called alpine giant salamander. It’s called Heihai Lake due to the black and blue stones distributed in the bottom, making the surface of the water black-colored.

The Heihai Lake is also the holy lake of the Naxi ethnic group. It is said that you can’t shout at the lakeside, or you will enrage the holy lake and make heavy rain. Near the Heihai Lake are some plateau lakes such as Huanghai Lake, as well as Alpine azalea forest around the lake.

Tourists can also make a tent around Heihai Lake and set a campfire, with singing and dancing. 

About Gudao Island of Fuxian Lake

The Gudao island(孤岛) is the Gushan Island(孤山岛) in Fuxian Lake. There used to be two islands in the southwest part of Fuxian Lake, Big Gudao Island(大孤岛) and Small Gudao Island(小孤岛). In the Ming Dynasty, a bridge was built to connect these two islands. At the end of the Ming Dynasty, the bridge and small Gudao island was swept away in the storm. Now there is only big Gudao island(today’s Gudao Island or Gushan Island) standing there, more than 40 meters higher than the lake, forming an elliptical shape. There are caves, peaks and displacement cliff at the side of water. In Ming Dynasty, many famous people and scholars regarded the island as a fairyland, they built a summer resort, Ying Hai Tower(瀛海楼) and other pavilions. In 1988, Gushan Scenic area was listed as a provincial scenic spot in Yunnan Province. Tourists can camp at Fuxian Lakeside, boat and swim in the lake, of course, there are many resorts and hotels. Every summer, more and more tourists come here for summer vacation.

Where is Gudao Island?

Gudao Island(Gushan Island) is the only island in Fuxian Lake, located in the southern part of Fuxian Lake in Jiangchuan District, with an area of about 60,000 square meters. Gushan Mountain(孤山) is separated from Haimen Park(海门公园) in the south and faces the lotus peak on Biyun(碧云寺) Temple in the north. Seen from the mountain, you can overlook the beautiful scenery of Fuxian Lake. 

Nearby Attractions

Lijiashan Bronze Museum李家山青铜博物馆
Xingyun Lake星云湖
Fuxian Lake抚仙湖
Haimen Park in Jiangchuan District, Yuxi
Mingxing Scenic Area of Fuxianhu Lake, Yuxi

Best Time ti Visit

Enjoying a subtropical monsoon climate, tour is possible all the year round. However, the best time to visit is in Summer, it is a ideal place to escape the heat in Summer. Every year, on the 6th day of the 6th lunar month, locals go to Gushan Mountain for temple fairs.

How to Get There

1. By Long-distance Bus

You can take midibus from Kunming East Bus Station to Jiangchuan District. It takes about 2 hours to take the long-distance bus. It is about 20 kilometers from Jiangchuan bus terminal to Gudao Island(Gushan Island), takes about 30 minutes. You can take the boat on the Fuxian Lake of Jiangchuan District to the island.

2. By Train

If you want to take train, you should go to Yuxi station first, and then take the minibus or taxi to Gushan Island of Jiangchuan District. You will spend about 1 hour and 15 minutes on the train. The lowest ticket price is CNY 16.5. Then you will arrive at Gudao Island(Gushan Island) after 1 hour drive from Yuxi railway station.

Accommodation Around Gudao Island

There are many hotels on the bank of Fuxian Lake you can choose. It is not difficult to find a place to stay there.

Useful Travel Tips

1. Gudao Island is surrounded by the water area. The air is humid, when changes in the weather, the wind is stronger, be sure to keep warm.

2. The water in Fuxian Lake is deep, with 155 meters of its greatest depth. Therefore, if you are not good at swimming, please wear the life vest when you are doing some water sports.

3. Fuxian Lake is a plateau lake, and it is popular in summer. Ultraviolet ray is strong in summer, when you travel Fuxian Lake in summer, remember to bring sunglasses, sun cream, sunhat or other sunscreen products.

Tour Including Fuxian Lake

When you traveling Yuxi, Fuxian Lake is the best choice to enjoy yourself. Tours in Fuxain Lake are always related to the hot destinations in Yunnan, like Kunming, Jianshui, Yuanyang and so on.

8 Days Deluxe Kunming, Shilin, Mile Jianshui Photo Tour with Yuanyang Rice Terraces and Fuxianhu Lake

Where is Ice Lake – Location

Ice Lake is located at the foot of Jiangjun Mountain in Yubeng Village in Meili Snow Mountain, Deqin County, Diqing Prefecture. It’s 7 hours’ trekking from Yubeng Village and 1 hour’s trekking from the Base Camp.

Features of Ice Lake

Ice Lake is formed by snow water from Meili Snow Mountain, at an altitude of 4100m. It’s regarded as the holy lake of Meili Snow Mountain and is the main water resource of Yubeng Village. It’s typical moraine lake as a result of glacier movement. One side of the lake is the mountain mountain ridge, another side is the vertical cliff and dangling huge glacier. Climbing up the cliff to the main peak of Kawagebo. Huge glaciers and snows continue to fall off cliffs into glacial lakes and replenish them. Other glaciers spreading to the lakefront are spectacular. A startling interplay of blue sky and white mountain makes the Ice Lake be more like a paradise.

How to Get There

By Walk
Ice Lake is the end of the hiking route. It’s as difficult as treking to Yubeng Village and will takes one day. Start the trail from Yubeng Village will takes 7 hours to go there and back. Hiking along a narrow path nearby a stream, climb over a huge stone with a waterfall, then you will arrive at Ice Lake. There may happen to snow crash, so don’t approach the snowmelt point. 

By Mule-riding and Walking
You can also ride a mule from the mule farm which is located between Upper Yubeng Village and Lower Yubeng Village. However, you just can arrive at Xiaonong Base Camp, then you have to walk. People are easy to get lost at the start point, it’s suggested to start your trail with a tour guide. There are service sites for a break and kinds of wild fruits. Trek up over the most steep slope, then you will arrive at the Ice Lake.

Recommended Hiking Route

The route: Yubeng Upper Village(3200m)- Xiaonong Base Camp(3700m)- Ice Lake(4100m)

The whole route is 24 kilometers for a round-trip, which would take 4-10 hours. The average hiking time is 7-8 hours. Get out of Upper Yubeng Village, go through a huge Marnyi Stone and enter into the woods, continue to trek along the left road near the river, you will get a small bridge soon. After the bridge, go up to the mountain. There are green garbage cans during the correct hiking route that can be regarded as signposts.

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Welcome to Yunnan Exploration Travel. As one of the most professional travel agencies established in Yunnan for 15 years, Yunnan Exploration Travel(YET)is the leading online travel service platform affiliated with Trans Asia Discovery International Travel Service Co.Ltd,(云南亚索国际旅行社有限公司/亚索旅业 in Chinese) which is headquartered in Kunming, Yunnan, China. We are concentrated on organizing private tour, holiday package, and tailor-make theme trips like trekking, photography, and golf tours. In addition, Our business has expanded to Southeast Asian countries including Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. With the abundant and high-end tourist resources and impressive services, YET could be your first choice for starting your trip in Yunnan.

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