Escape the City, Go Where the Wind Blows: A Complete Guide to 5 Slow-Paced Days at Fuxian Lake with Kids

The Beginning: A TV Show, a Spontaneous Trip

If you've ever been captivated by that azure lake, lazy sunshine, and unhurried pace of life in the TV drama Meet Yourself (去有风的地方), then you'll understand exactly why I jumped at this trip. After two years without leaving our province, I had this restless energy bottled up inside. At first, my plans were wildly ambitious — I vaguely locked onto "Yunnan" and even foolishly thought I could squeeze in Fuxian Lake, Xishuangbanna, and Kunming all in five days. But the moment I saw an aerial photo of Fuxian Lake on a map, those unrealistic plans shattered. That impossibly blue body of water, like a giant sapphire embedded in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, made me decide without hesitation to devote all five days to it.

April is when Yunnan's sunshine is at its gentlest. Traveling with a child, we decided against rushing from one spot to another. Our only goal was to slow down and soak in the lake and mountains. We took high-speed rail all the way, then rented a car — we chose "Ehi Car Rental" (一嗨租车), which offered good service and a simple process. As it turned out, this was a brilliant decision. With elderly parents and a kid in tow, the flexibility of driving made the entire trip at least twice as easy.

Trip Overview: A Schedule for Five Days of Slow Living

• Day 1: Chongqing → Kunming (bullet train 7:58 AM – 12:50 PM) → Pick up car at Kunming South Station → Lunch (crossing-the-bridge rice noodles at Wuyue Plaza) → Drive to Xiaowan Village, Fuxian Lake → Check into Yuchen Resort Hotel → Sunset at Yuquan Beach in the evening
• Day 2: Hotel photo shoot → Yinghuagu (Cherry Blossom Valley) — a miss → Lunch at Guanglong Town (Lake's Flavor Sour Soup Stone Pot Fish) → Check into Dolphin Bay Hotel → Dolphin show at Dolphin House
• Day 3: Moon Bay Wetland Park (white sand beach photo op) → Transfer to Sunshine Peninsula Hotel
• Day 4: Morning stroll at Sunshine Coast → Explore Wanzigou (Bay Creek) → Play in the water at Mingxing Yudong (Star Fish Cave)
• Day 5: Red Sand Beach → Lunch in Kunming → Kunming → Chongqing (bullet train 3:28 PM – 8:08 PM)

Accommodation: Three Solid Picks, Average $55/Night

Traveling with a kid means comfort is everything. This time we stayed at three very different hotels or guesthouses. Each had its surprises and small drawbacks, but overall the value was excellent.

Yuchen Resort Hotel: A Perfect Viewing Platform in the Trendy B&B Area

Located in Xiaowan Village's popular guesthouse cluster, this hotel offers an unbeatable panoramic view of Fuxian Lake from above. The best part? It's right next to the trendy "Mu Coffee" (目咖啡). Guests can use their room card to enter the coffee shop's photography zone as many times as they like, and each room comes with 6 free photos and one set. We booked a garden terrace lake-view room. Step out of the room, pass through a gate, and you're in the photography area. Catch the sunrise in the morning and the sunset in the evening — every shot looks like a masterpiece.

The room wasn't large, but the bedding was comfortable, the pillows were just the right firmness, and we slept well. Service was thoughtful too — staff helped carry our luggage without being asked. The only "downside"? It was so beautiful we didn't want to leave.

Dolphin Bay Hotel: Fun for Kids, but Keep Expectations in Check

We booked this hotel specifically for the dolphin and circus shows, only to find out upon arrival that the circus performances had been canceled — a bit disappointing. The hotel sits on a hill in a relatively isolated spot. Without a car, getting anywhere is a hassle. The interior design is indeed playful and kid-friendly. The king-bed rooms come with an extra small bed, perfect for a family of three; but the twin-bed rooms have surprisingly small beds, so choose carefully.

The Fantasy Camp on the 5th floor is free with your room card, while the children's playground on the 8th floor costs extra ($12 for 24-hour access). To be honest, the lighting was dim — fine during the day with natural light, but gloomy even with the lights on at night. We visited during the off-season and didn't see the lobby clown performances mentioned online. Overall, it was average.

Sunshine Peninsula Hotel: Best Value, Watch the Sunrise from Your Balcony

This was the biggest surprise of the trip. A two-bedroom, one-living-room full lake-view room for about $70 a night. The balcony faces Fuxian Lake and Gushan Island (Lonely Mountain Island). Lie in bed in the morning and watch the sunrise. The location is perfect — step outside and you're on Sunshine Coast Beach. The only complaint was the hot water — it kept switching between hot and cold, so you had to be extra careful bathing the child. But the excellent outdoor setting more than made up for it. Every morning, sipping coffee on the balcony while watching the lake shimmer in the light — totally worth it.

Day 1: From Chongqing to Fuxian Lake, a Sunset That Stole the Show

We departed from Chongqing West Station at 7:58 AM. The bullet train headed south and arrived at Kunming South Station right on time at 12:50 PM. After picking up the car, and with the whole family hungry, we drove straight to Wuyue Plaza (Chenggong branch), not far from the station, for lunch. Crossing-the-bridge rice noodles (过桥米线) are Yunnan's traditional "welcome greeting." The broth was rich and flavorful, and even our kid enjoyed it. On the way back, we ate our last meal here too — a nice full-circle moment.

Around 3 PM, we left Kunming and drove about an hour to Yuchen Resort Hotel in Xiaowan Village. As the car wound up the mountain road and Fuxian Lake's blue appeared and disappeared through the trees, everyone in the car couldn't help but gasp. The hotel's service started the moment we stepped out — staff took our luggage, showed us to our room, and introduced nearby attractions.

That evening, I stumbled upon a park called "Yuquan Beach" (Jade Spring Beach) on Gaode Maps. It was only a five- or six-minute drive downhill. Thinking we'd let the kid play by the lake, watch the sunset, and find a fish restaurant for dinner, we set off immediately. This "wild" lakeside park had zero commercial atmosphere — just the sound of waves lapping the shore and the breathtaking sight of the sunset painting the sky red. Our child ran barefoot in the shallow water while my partner and I sat side by side on a rock, watching the sun sink slowly into the lake. That first evening's magic set the tone for the entire trip.

After sunset, we randomly picked a fish restaurant near the entrance of Xiaowan Village. The copper pot potato rice (铜锅洋芋饭) was a must-order — the crispy, fragrant potatoes mixed with soft, sticky rice had our kid eating two bowls. The fish itself was just okay, so I won't recommend it. We'd originally wanted to try "Housekeeper Fish Restaurant" (管家婆鱼庄), but the people waiting outside said it would be at least 40 minutes, so we gave up.

Day 2: Cherry Blossom Valley — a Miss; Dolphin House — a Hit

Early morning on the balcony of our room at Yuchen Hotel, Fuxian Lake was shrouded in mist, like a Chinese ink wash painting. The hotel's complimentary photo shoot gave each room 6 photos; with two rooms, we had 12 shots. There were several gorgeous setups, but our child was in a grumpy mood and wouldn't cooperate, so we rushed through it. A small regret, but these little hiccups are part of travel memories too.

By the time we packed up, it was already 10:30 AM. Since Cherry Blossom Valley (Yinghuagu) wasn't far, we decided to stop by. Well… the "white sand beach" that Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book) bloggers rave about simply doesn't exist. The beach area was tiny, the sand coarse, the water murky, and the waves too big for kids to play safely. If you're short on time, skip this spot entirely.

For lunch, we ate at "Lake's Flavor" (湖之味) in Guanglong Town. The sour soup stone pot fish (酸汤石锅鱼) was the highlight — tender fish in a tangy, appetite-stimulating broth. Even our kid, who usually doesn't like fish, ate a good amount.

In the afternoon, we checked into Dolphin Bay Hotel. The website said check-in at 4 PM, but rooms were available after 2 PM. We got our dolphin tickets at the front desk and took the hotel shuttle to Dolphin House at 3 PM. I'd expected a run-of-the-mill dolphin show, but it far exceeded expectations. There were lots of dolphins, we were very close to the action, and each of the three shows in different zones had its own character. By the last show, most of the audience got splashed. Both adults and kids were wide-eyed with amazement. Even at the ticket price of around $15, it's worth a dedicated visit, even if you're not staying at the hotel. The show lasted about an hour. Back at the hotel, our kid crashed immediately. We wandered around the amusement area, looked at the big fish tank, and had a relaxing evening.

Day 3: Moon Bay Wetland Park — First Glimpse of the West Shore

Monday. The Chengjiang Fossil Museum we'd wanted to visit was closed, so we ate breakfast slowly and arrived at Moon Bay Wetland Park (月亮湾湿地公园) around 10 AM. Admission was $4 per person, but it could be used as credit toward in-park purchases. We exchanged our tickets for two beach chairs (1 hour), and the staff even gave us two bottles of water and two cans of Coke for free — very generous.

Moon Bay has a large stretch of white sand beach and several small lakes inside the park. It was pleasant enough to walk around. But the waves were still too big for swimming. The scenery looked good from a distance, but up close, gravel, small rocks, and seaweed detracted from the experience. Our kid tripped here and hit their head on the ground. We were so worried we lost all desire to continue sightseeing, so we headed straight for Sunshine Peninsula Hotel on the southwest shore of Fuxian Lake in the afternoon.

And what a surprise — the scenery on the west shore was far more beautiful than anywhere we'd been in the previous two days! From our room's balcony, the lake water was crystal clear, and Gushan Island stood quietly in the distance, like a painting. At that moment, we all regretted not allocating more time to the west shore.

Day 4: Sunshine Coast, Wanzigou, and Mingxing Yudong — the Peak of the West Shore

The scenery on days four and five was the absolute highlight of the trip. The west shore's attractions are more rustic. The roads connecting them are simple country lanes, not the grand, well-paved roads of the north and east shores. But precisely because of this, you can get incredibly close to the water. Whether sand or fine gravel, the shore is soft, the waves are gentle, and the water is so clean it's intoxicating.

Early in the morning, Sunshine Coast had not a single person in sight. The waves lapped softly against the beach, and the sound was deeply soothing. Our kid played in the sand, so happy they didn't want to leave. The sand was fine and perfect for building castles and digging holes. There were pedal boats and rowboats available for rent, but I really don't recommend the pedal boats. Once you get to the middle of the lake, the wind and waves can pick up suddenly, making steering very difficult. You'll likely end up needing a rescue boat. We took a rowboat instead, with a boatman at the helm. Even so, when the wind picked up, the boat rocked so much it made us nervous.

We bought some shrimp fritters (虾饼) from a roadside stall at Sunshine Coast. They tasted good, but I later had an upset stomach — I'm not sure if that was the cause.

Next, we stopped at Wanzigou (Bay Creek). We'd only planned to pass through, but it was so stunning we wanted to sit down and stare all day. Wanzigou is at the end of an unremarkable dirt road. After walking through some trees, the view suddenly opens up — a vast expanse of "sea" appears before you. The feeling of being healed is impossible to put into words.

From Wanzigou, it was just a few minutes to Mingxing Yudong (Star Fish Cave). The scenic area is small, but the lake water is so clear you can see straight to the bottom — truly "glass water." Admission was $2 per person, parking for 3 hours was $2, and beach chairs were $7 per hour (going even one minute over counts as half an hour). Compared to Moon Bay, where chairs were $3 per hour and could be paid with admission credit, the pricing here was steep. But our kid went wild playing in the water — it was so clear you could see rocks and tiny fish swimming at the bottom, like a natural swimming pool.

Back at the hotel, our child napped while my partner and I took a boat ride around the lake. The wind and waves were strong — it was thrilling. But I really don't recommend going onto Gushan Island. There's nothing much to see, and you have to wait a long time for a boat to pick you up — a real time-waster.

During our two days at Sunshine Coast, we ate at "Old Yellow Fish Restaurant" (老黄鱼馆). The copper pot duck (铜锅鸭) and braised chicken (黄焖鸡) are must-orders — reasonably priced and authentic. Highly recommended.

Day 5: Red Sand Beach — a Final-Day Surprise

Red Sand Beach (红沙滩) was originally just a backup plan. We thought we'd stop by on our last half-day since it was on the way. Well… it was breathtaking! We regretted not coming here multiple times. The sand is so fine that if you push down with your heel, your whole foot sinks in. Don't think the water is muddy — it's just that the sand is brick-red, while the lake water itself is perfectly clear. Our kid played in the water and didn't want to leave. I couldn't resist either — I took off my shoes, stepped onto the soft sand, and felt the waves roll in one after another.

For our last meal in Yunnan, we went back to Wuyue Plaza in Kunming. It's close to Kunming South Station, with plenty of food options — a perfect ending.

Gear Recommendations: Don't Leave Home Without These for Kids

1. Waterproof suit for kids, waterproof boots for adults: In April, Fuxian Lake's water is still cool, and the shore has pebbles. Try to keep kids from going barefoot. Waterproof suits and boots let them play freely while you stay worry-free.
2. A kid's ride-on suitcase: An absolute lifesaver for traveling with children. My little yellow duck suitcase has a detachable stroller — incredibly convenient.

Final Thoughts: Travel Is So Healing

Five days at Fuxian Lake. No rushing between attractions, no anxiety about checking off a list. Just a slow, easy rhythm and constant surprises. From the sunset at Yuquan Beach to the wonder of Dolphin House, from the breathtaking openness of Wanzigou to the unexpected delight of Red Sand Beach — every moment was worth remembering.

Yunnan is a place you can visit again and again. Next time, I want to find a guesthouse on the west shore of Fuxian Lake and stay for a whole week. Every morning, watch the sunrise from the balcony. Every evening, watch the sunset on the beach. Do nothing — just sit and stare.

Travel Tips: - The west shore of Fuxian Lake is far more beautiful than the east shore. Give yourself more time there. - Dolphin House is worth a dedicated visit, even if you're not staying at Dolphin Bay Hotel. - Don't skip Red Sand Beach. Don't let the word "red" scare you — the water is truly clear. - Self-driving is the most convenient way to get around, especially with kids. - In April, temperatures vary greatly between morning and evening at Fuxian Lake. Bring a jacket.

Go where the wind blows. There's a blue out there that can heal everything.