Leiding Village in Yuanmou County, Chuxiong

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📍 Location & Best Season

Coordinates: Leiding Village (雷丁村), Longshan Village Committee, Huangguayuan Town, Yuanmou County, Chuxiong Prefecture, Yunnan (云南省楚雄州元谋县黄瓜园镇龙山村委会雷丁村)
Altitude: 1,100 m (Dry-hot valley climate, avg. 21°C)
Ecological Marvel: 600+ century-old tamarind trees + 1,000+ native trees, 80% forest coverage – a “village in the woods, courtyards among trees, people amidst greenery” .
Climate: Winter days 20–25°C, 360 frost-free days – hailed as “the village without winter” ❄️➡️☀️.
Best Time:
– Nov–Mar: Warm sun + blue skies, ideal winter escape.
– July Torch Festival (火把节) & Yi New Year: Bonfires, Long Street Banquets (长街宴)
– Mar–Apr: Tamarind blossoms & kapok flowers – prime photography season 📸.

🚆 Getting There

🌟 Deep Experiences

1️⃣ 1,600-Year-Old “King Tamarind Tree” (酸角王)
– Requires 6 adults to encircle its 9m trunk; locals tie red ribbons for longevity blessings .
– Nov Bonus: Free “tamarind picking” under the tree during fruit-drop season!

2️⃣ Ethnic Festivals
– Torch Festival (July): Bonfires, Yi dances, lamb hotpot – book via village committee .
– Yi New Year: Long Street Banquets with 100+ dishes 🥘.

3️⃣ Stargazing Camping
– Pitch tents at village basketball court (near school); winter Milky Way visible 20:00–02:00 🌌.

⏳ Itineraries

A. One-Day Escape
09:30: King Tamarind Tree photo op
10:00: Farm picking (tomatoes, jujubes, custard apples – pay by weight) 🍅
11:30: Farmhouse lunch (firewood chicken + fresh tamarind juice)
14:00: Hammock nap in ancient forest + “fairycore” photos
15:30: Hike to “Longshan Viewpoint” overlooking dry-hot valley
17:00: Return or overnight at town hot-spring hotel

B. Two-Day Official Route
Day 1: Morn photos at Wumao Earth Forest → Leiding Village (lunch + picking + tree-shaded tea) → Hot-spring hotel in Yuanmou.
Day 2: Tengfei ATV camp (off-road Earth Forest adventure) → Yuanmou Man World Park (water park) → Departure.

🍽️ Stay & Taste

Accommodation (in Yuanmou Town):
– Yuanda Hot Spring Resort: Sulfur springs, shuttle service ♨️
– 21° Times Hotel: Infinity pool, night-market access 🌃

Food in Leiding:
– 4 farmhouses: Firewood chicken, tamarind stir-fried with bacon, tomato salad.
– Town Night Market: Yuanmou roast suckling pig, chilled chicken, “Pao Guo” snacks.

❗ Pro Tips

• Photography:
  – King Tree silhouette: 16:30 backlight
  – Longshan Viewpoint: Wide-angle + village smoke at dawn
• Gear: SPF50+ (intense UV), light jacket (10°C day-night swing), long pants for woods.
• Ethics: Zero-commercialization village – take all trash out; no entry fee 🚯.

✨ Why Visit?

At Leiding (雷丁村), sip the freshest tamarind juice under the world’s oldest tamarind tree, turn winter into spring in a zero-commercial primitive village – Yunnan’s best-kept “winter wellness retreat”! 🌿✨