Puzhehei Scenic Area is located in Qiubei County, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, 13 kilometers away from Qiubei County Town. The total area of the scenic area is 388 square kilometers, with a core scenic area of 15 square kilometers. It is a national 5A-level tourist attraction, a national wetland park, the only tourism circular economy pilot in the province, and one of the first provincial-level all-for-one tourism demonstration zones in Yunnan. "Puzhehei" is a term in the Yi language, meaning "a lake filled with fish and shrimp". Belonging to the karst area of southeastern Yunnan, the scenic area features a typical plateau karst landform, renowned for its six major landscapes: "Water-based Pastoral Fields, Yi Water Township, Lotus World, Karst Wetlands, Lake Peak Forests, and Bird & Fish Paradise". The area boasts 312 isolated peaks, 83 karst caves, 54 interconnected lakes, 26.67 square kilometers of wild lotus, and 40 square kilometers of plateau karst wetlands.
History and Culture
Qiubei County, where Puzhehei is located, has a long history. It belonged to Liangzhou during the Tang Yao and Yu Shun eras (ancient legendary periods) and the Shang Dynasty. In the Western Zhou Dynasty, it was under the rule of the Baidan clan. During the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, it fell within the territory of the Chu State. In the Qin Dynasty, local officials were appointed to govern parts of this area. During the Western Han, Eastern Han, Shu Han (Three Kingdoms), and Western Jin dynasties, it was part of Tongfeng County. In the Eastern Jin Dynasty, it came under the jurisdiction of Kunzhou Prefecture within Nanning Prefecture. In the Tang Dynasty, it was governed by the Qianzhou Military Governor's Office. During the Taihe reign period (Tang Dynasty), it was annexed by Meng Guiyi of the Nanzhao Kingdom. In the Song Dynasty, it was known as the Weimo Prefecture. In the Yuan Dynasty, its administrative division was adjusted to Guangxi Road. From 1300 to 1669, it remained as Weimo Prefecture. During the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty, it was placed under Shizong Prefecture. In 1731, Qiu bei Sub-Prefecture was established as a branch of Shizong Prefecture. In 1770, it was downgraded to Qiu bei County, and in 1840, it was promoted to a full-fledged county under Guangxi Province's jurisdiction. In 1913, it was transferred to Mengzi Prefecture and later became directly governed by Yunnan Province. In 1949, it was assigned to Wenshan Special Prefecture, and in 1958, Qiubei County was placed under the jurisdiction of Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, a status that continues to this day.
As early as 1.7 million years ago, ancient apes inhabited the Puzhehei Scenic Area. The Heijinglong ancient ape relics and fossils in the area, as well as the "bird totem" ancient cliff paintings at Rizhe Lion Mountain, are all relics from the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. Qiubei County is home to seven ethnic groups: Han, Zhuang, Yi, Miao, Hui, Bai, and Yao. The Puzhehei Scenic Area is primarily inhabited by Zhuang, Yi, Sani, Miao, and Yao people, who have created diverse ethnic cultures and customs. Among the many traditional festivals of ethnic minorities, the Yi "Flower Face Festival" and "Torch Festival" are the most grand and lively.
Main Attractions
Swan Lake Scenic Area
Located within the Puzhehei Karst National Wetland Park, it was established on October 1, 2013, and is a habitat for migratory birds in the karst wetlands of southwestern China. It covers an area of 3 square kilometers, including 2.6 square kilometers of wetland, with four types: river wetlands, lake wetlands, swamp wetlands, and artificial wetlands. It is home to nearly 10,000 migratory birds and over 200 species of wetland animals, including fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds.
Immortal Lake
Located north of the Shanhewan area and northwest of Xianren Cave Village, it covers an area of 0.7 square kilometers, about 2 kilometers long from north to south, with a winding shoreline. It features 54 isolated peaks around 10 meters in height, as well as scenic spots such as the Male Lion Lying on the Water, Fairy Lying on the Water, and Lion Mountain.
Immortal Cave
Located southeast of Immortal Lake, the cave has a total length of 244 meters and a height of 3 to 5 meters, with internal landscapes such as stalactites, stone pillars, soda straws, stone curtains, and rimstone pools. It includes a water cave connected to Immortal Lake, accessible by boat, with a length of about 150 meters and a water depth of 0.5 to 2 meters, as well as a waterway inside the cave about 90 meters long and a dry cave about 600 meters long after landing.
Puzhehei Lake
Located north of Immortal Lake and west of Puzhehei Village, it is about 2.5 kilometers long, covers an area of about 1 square kilometer, with an average width of about 300 meters and an average water depth of about 3 meters. There are over 50 isolated peaks on both the east and west banks, and three additional isolated peaks north of the lake. The lake is named "Puzhehei" because it abounds in carp, grass carp, and crucian carp.
Green Dragon Mountain
Located west of Puzhehei Lake, the main peak has an altitude of 1,555 meters, about 108 meters above the lake surface. The vegetation is evergreen shrubs, and the summit features the Green Dragon Mountain Viewing Platform, offering a panoramic view of Puzhehei. The mountain houses eight karst caves, including Huobadong (Torch Cave), Yueliangdong (Moon Cave), and Zhangju Shidong.
Cuisine
Lotus Leaf Porridge
Using lotus leaves and rice as raw materials, wash the lotus leaves and then boil them together with rice. The cooked porridge emits a fresh fragrance of lotus leaves, has a soft and glutinous texture, and possesses the effects of clearing heat, relieving summer heat, invigorating the spleen, and improving appetite.
Drunken Shrimp
Fresh live shrimp from Puzhehei Lake are marinated in wine until intoxicated. When eaten, the shrimp meat is tender, with a rich wine aroma, preserving the original flavor of the shrimp.
Sour Soup Fish
Prepared with local sour soup as the base and fresh fish from Puzhehei Lake, the soup is rich in sour flavor, and the fish is tender and flavorful. It is a hot and sour appetizing dish and one of the signature foods of Puzhehei.
Tickets
Admission to the Puzhehei Scenic Area is free, but charges apply for in-scenic activities. For example, boat tours cost 130 yuan, and night tours cost 39 yuan, etc.
For the latest updates or online ticket purchases, search for the official WeChat public account "普者黑景区".
Opening Hours
The Puzhehei Scenic Area is open 24 hours, but opening times may vary for specific attractions. For example, Swan Lake Scenic Area is generally open from 08:00 to 18:00, subject to the actual announcements on the day of the visit.
Tour Routes
One-day tour: Xianren Cave Village - Puzhehei Lake - Green Dragon Mountain Viewing Platform - Swan Lake Scenic Area. In the morning, explore Xianren Cave Village to experience Yi culture; then take a boat tour of Puzhehei Lake to admire the lake and mountain scenery; in the afternoon, climb to the Green Dragon Mountain Viewing Platform for a panoramic view, and finally visit Swan Lake Scenic Area to watch migratory birds and wetland landscapes.
Two-day tour: Day 1: Puzhehei Village - Huobadong (Torch Cave) - Yueliangdong (Moon Cave) - Immortal Lake. Experience folk life in Puzhehei Village, then visit Torch Cave and Moon Cave to explore karst cave landscapes, and enjoy the sunset at Immortal Lake in the evening. Day 2: Swan Lake Scenic Area - Bailong Lake - Shede Grassland. Spend the morning at Swan Lake, then visit Bailong Lake in the afternoon, followed by Shede Grassland to experience grassland scenery.
Transportation
- By Air: Arrive at Wenshan Puzhehei Airport first, then take an airport bus or taxi to the scenic area.
- By Train: Qiubei County has a railway station. After taking a train to Qiubei Station, transfer to a bus to the scenic area.
- By Bus: There are shuttle buses from Qiubei County Town to the Puzhehei Scenic Area, or take a taxi from the county town.
Must-Visit Attractions
- Xianren Cave Village: It is a settlement of the Yi ethnic group, preserving a great deal of traditional Yi culture and architecture, where visitors can experience the local Yi customs and traditions.
- Puzhehei Lake: The largest lake in the scenic area, where boat tours allow visitors to enjoy surrounding isolated peaks and lotus flowers.
- Green Dragon Mountain Viewing Platform: Offers a panoramic view of Puzhehei, especially breathtaking during sunrise and sunset.
Tour Tips
- Visiting in summer allows you to see vast fields of blooming lotus flowers, but remember to apply sunscreen and take mosquito prevention measures.
- Boat tours are recommended for enjoying the lake and mountain scenery, but always wear a life jacket and pay attention to safety.
- To experience ethnic culture, participate in Yi festivals such as the "Flower Face Festival" and "Torch Festival."
Notes
- With many lakes in the scenic area, do not swim in the water at will to prevent accidents.
- Respect the customs and habits of local ethnic minorities to avoid conflicts due to cultural differences.
- Protect the environment in the scenic area by not littering and keeping the area clean.