Yuanmou Man Exploration

Yuanmou County is located in the north of Yunnan Province. The historical and natural sites in the county are becoming more and more popular. You can easily travel from Kunming to Yuanmou via Wuding County.

Day One: Kunming – Wuding – Yuanmou

In the morning, take a coach from Kunming Northwest Coach Station to Wuding County. The bus runs every 30 minutes from 07:30 to 19:30 and it takes 1.5 hours and costs CNY22 to reach Wuding. Upon arrival in Wuding, take a short visit to Lion Mountain, which lies in the south of the county. It only costs CNY10 by taxi to the mountain. The mountain gets its name as it resembles a lion in prone position. On the mountain, there are ancient temples, steep cliffs and heavily-wooded hills. The admission fee is CNY60 per person.

After lunch, take a coach from Wuding Coach Station to Yuanmou. The bus ride takes 2 hours. Check in at a local hotel for a short rest, and then proceed to the Yuanmou Man Archaeological Exhibition Hall. The exhibition hall houses a great number of Yuanmou Man fossils and artifacts excavated from the county. It is said that Yuanmou Man was the earliest human being that has been found in China and indeed, all of Asia, up to now. The admission fee is only CNY2.

Day Two: Yuanmou – Kunming

There are 13 earth forests in Yuanmou, among which the Hutiaotan (also Wumao), Xinhua and Banguo rank as the top three for their spectacular and colorful landscapes.

In the morning, catch the 09:20 tourist bus to the Hutiaotan Earth Forest, which is the best one among the three (Add: Luomaole Village, Wumao Township, Yuanmou County). The bus runs at 09:20, 11:00, 15:30, and 16:30, and arrives at the attraction in about 40 minutes, costing CNY7.5 per person. Alternatively, you can charter a taxi at a cost of CNY60 – 80 for a round trip. For photography lovers, you are advised to visit the earth forest in the early morning or at twilight. The earth forest is like a young girl when the bright sunlight falls on it in the morning; at sunset, the rosy glow turns it to a shy and charming bride. The admission fee is CNY80. If time permits, we suggest that you stay overnight near the attraction to enjoy the sunrise the next morning, and then take a taxi to visit the Banguo Earth Forest which is the largest one among all the earth forests.

Return to Yuanmou Coach Station in the early afternoon so as to take the coach back to Kunming. The coach is available at 14:45, 15:40 and 16:30. The ticket fare is around CNY45 per person.(D)