Park of China
Overview
| Designation | National Park of China (fifth batch) |
| Province | Yunnan |
| Location | 13 km north of Qiubei, eastern Yunnan |
| Latitude, longitude | 24.2, 104.1 Google Maps |
| Highlights | Lakes, isolated peaks, caves |
| Area | 165 km² |
| Nearby cities | Xingyi (Guizhou), Kunming (Yunnan) |
| Nearby sites | Stone Forest of Lunan 108km, Chengjiang Fossil Site 127km, Jiuxiang 138km, Dianchi Lake, Kunming 164km, Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces 179km Search nearby |
| Themes | Karst, Peak, Cave, Lake, Hidden River, Rafting & boat trips, Flower fields |
About
Puzhehei lies 13 km north of the Qiubei county seat in eastern Yunnan, near Baise in Guangxi and Xingyi in Guizhou: 165 km² with over 300 isolated peaks, more than 80 large caves, 54 natural lakes, 15 rivers and 120 km of underground rivers.
In the central area 16 lakes totalling about 11 km² link into a 20 km boating route with water clear to 3 m, among 300 lone peaks a hundred metres or more high.
The main caves are Moon, Torch, Guanyin, Immortals, Shenyi and White Jade caves; the Caiyun and Heiqinglong Lion Mountain caves have bird-totem rock paintings over 3,000 years old.
It is in the fifth batch of national parks of China (national scenic areas) named by the State Council in 2004.
Travel tips
Getting there: the nearest big city is Kunming, which is linked to Wenshan and Qiubei by expressway; a coach takes about four to five hours. You can also take a high-speed train to Wenshan and change. From Qiubei county town the park is about 13 km by bus or hired car.
Layout: the heart of the area is a string of a dozen or so connected lakes, with isolated hills, caves and farmland around them and sights on both shores.
How to visit: mostly by boat on the lakes, a route of about 20 km past isolated hills, lotus fields and farms; there are also roads and paths to villages and caves.
Caves: the Moon Cave, Guanyin Cave and Immortal Cave are among the better known, mostly at the lakeside and reached by steps.
Time: two days and a night is comfortable; one day covers only the main part of the lakes.
Season: summer is the usual time, when the lotus flowers; autumn and winter are clear, with morning and evening mist.
Where to stay: guesthouses in the villages by the lake, and hotels in Qiubei town.
Nearby: there are villages of the Yi (Sani) people near the area, with local festivals.
Caution: the summer sun is strong, so bring sun protection, and follow safety instructions when on the boats.
Photo credits: Puzhehei lakes, Qiubei, Yunnan: Anders Johnson (CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons)
Nearby
| World Heritage | Stone Forest of Lunan 108km, Chengjiang Fossil Site 127km, Cultural Landscape of Honghe Hani Rice Terraces 179km |
| National parks | Alu Caves 57km, Jiuxiang 138km, Maling River 139km, Jianshui Scenic Area 143km |
| AAAAA attractions | Wanfeng Forest Scenic Area 126km, Kunming World Horticultural Expo Garden 169km |
| AAAA attractions | Xiangping Mountain 14km, Wulong Scenic Area 55km |
| UNESCO Global Geoparks | Stone Forest UNESCO Global Geopark 96km, Xingyi UNESCO Global Geopark 132km |
| National geoparks | Luxi Alu National Geopark 54km, Luoping Biota National Geopark 90km, Chengjiang Fauna Paleontological National Geopark 127km, Jiuxiang Canyon and Cave National Geopark 128km |
| Nature reserves | Wenshan National Nature Reserve 85km, Jinzhongshan Hume's Pheasant National Nature Reserve 94km, Daweishan National Nature Reserve 145km |