[Honeycomb Commemorative] Traveling with My Parents | A Yunnan Trip with a Twist

Even with a 9-to-5 grind, keep moving forward!

Preface: Travel Reboot in 2020

2020 felt like an absurd movie—the calendar flipped at lightning speed, and before we knew it, the year was ending. My long-awaited Northern Lights trip to Scandinavia was canceled at the last minute, making overseas travel seem like an unreachable "poetry and distant lands." But as life in China gradually improved, I finally dusted off my travel plans—exactly one year since my last trip.

To my surprise, my parents were willing to join me on a long journey. Yunnan, the perfect destination for the season, became our choice. While Yunnan is a popular tourist spot, I was determined to carve out an off-the-beaten-path route. Fuxian Lake, Dongchuan, Mile, Jianshui—names that are familiar yet not exactly household—leaped onto the itinerary. And of course, there was Tengchong, an autumn-exclusive gem. In these unusual times, every chance to travel is precious. Since we were going, we were going all out!

Central Yunnan | Fuxian Lake: A Crystal World as Blue as the Sea

Modou Mountain: Romance of Windmills and Sheep

On the map, Modou Mountain lies quietly on the southern shore of Fuxian Lake. Starting from the Sun Hill Town on the east bank, we drove up the winding mountain road—about 50 to 60 kilometers. The GPS said an hour and a half, but it took us two and a half. Still, this wild mountain road was in decent condition, just a bit narrow. The GPS offered two routes: one along the lake, the other through the mountains. I highly recommend the lakeside route—you get sweeping views of the lake and can avoid the convoy of trucks.

The mountain road twisted and turned until we reached Black Mountain Foot. Though the altitude wasn't high, the panoramic view of Fuxian Lake was already breathtaking. Fuxian Lake resembles a giant chicken drumstick, and the southern shore where Modou Mountain sits is like the "knee joint"—narrow and delicate. As we climbed, our ears started popping—Modou Mountain stands at 2,663 meters, and the wind was ferocious. The wind farm at the summit, with its giant turbines scattered at different heights, became the most stunning scenery.

Standing next to Windmill No. 2, we had a perfect road-trip photo op: winding mountain roads in the foreground, layered peaks in the distance. The windmills themselves were enormous, but from afar they looked like the little pinwheels of childhood, spinning with a whoosh. I couldn't help humming a tune: "Big windmill spinning round and round, the scenery here is truly grand..." As for lake views, Modou Mountain's perspective was somewhat obstructed, but the summit boardwalk and pavilion, paired with the lush green vegetation in the shifting light, were mesmerizing.

Even more surprising, we stumbled upon a flock of sheep that seemed to be "walking themselves." The sheep huddled on the hillside grazing, then headed home together in a surprisingly organized manner. They were shy, though, so we kept our distance. Around 4 or 5 PM, the light turned golden, and the sunset cast long shadows. But my dad, ever the pragmatist, asked, "Was it worth driving all this way?" I smiled and replied, "My idea of a happy trip is not caring about time, just chasing a single view."

Sun Hill Town: A European Village Dream

Sun Hill Town is a resort complex built by Vanke for its villa community. Staying in one of the duplex villas here, almost every unit offers a front-row lake view. Ours had an expansive view of the entire Fuxian Lake. In the early morning, the community was so quiet you could only hear birdsong. Watching the sunrise from the balcony, observing the clouds roll by, was pure bliss. That said, the east bank is better for sunsets—we just didn't have the time, so we left that for another visit.

The town has a European countryside style, with red walls, flower carts, and flower-covered walls—perfect for photos. The main street takes no more than 10 minutes to walk from end to end, but the "Sun Hill Town Canteen" serves affordable and delicious breakfasts, and the infinity pool at the scenic restaurant is worth a stop. Still, if you're making a special trip, it's not essential—the town is pretty but not jaw-dropping.

Time Trail: Walking the "Ten Thousand Acres of Crystal"

Fuxian Lake has been called "Ten Thousand Acres of Crystal" since ancient times, and it's China's largest high-altitude deep-water lake by volume. The "Time Trail" along the lake stretches about 30 kilometers, perfect for hiking. Starting near Dawan Village and heading toward Xianhu Bay Park, you'll pass a cluster of moored fishing boats. The water is a brilliant blue, the shallows resemble a sandy beach, and even seagulls come to join the fun.

But if you're driving, parking is tricky, and walking too far means retracing your steps. My mom and I hit the trail, while my dad stayed in the car to avoid a parking ticket. The boats were a bit rusty, but they made for great moody photos. I carefully climbed into a half-docked boat, feeling like I was floating in the middle of the lake. The large rocks by the shore were also good photo props—I jumped on one for a few shots, and my mom laughed until her cheeks hurt.

Xianhu Bay: A Winter Feast of Red-Beaked Gulls

Xianhu Bay is a must-visit in autumn and winter—Siberian red-beaked gulls migrate here to spend the cold months. Near the shore, the lake surface was dotted with countless white specks, and when they took flight, it was a chaotic blur of birds. These gulls can swim, fly, and catch food with impressive skill. We didn't dare feed them ourselves, so we just snapped photos of kids tossing treats. Three gulls coordinated a perfect takeoff sequence, with the middle one striking a particularly cute pose.

Fuxian Lake truly feels like the ocean, with waves crashing against the rocks. But the trees and grass growing in the water prove it's a freshwater lake. Xianhu Bay also has trendy photo spots like bird nests and swings, perfect for Instagram-worthy shots.

Guanglong Fujian Bay: A Flower Field Letdown

What first drew me to Fuxian Lake was the aerial view of the flower fields at Guanglong Fujian Bay. I even bought a drone for it. Unfortunately, November is the maintenance season for the plants, so the fields were covered in ugly green plastic tarps, and the lavender had withered. The wind was too strong to fly the drone safely; I could only snap a shaky, pathetic aerial shot from a corner. Little did I know, this would be the last drone shot of the trip—the rest of the journey either involved mountains too dangerous to fly or no-fly zones at scenic spots.

Central Yunnan | Dongchuan Red Land: A Visual Feast on a Palette

Morning in Kunming

Back at our base in Kunming, the early morning light jolted me awake. In the distance, cars streamed endlessly on the elevated highway, a testament to the city's relentless pace. Today's destination, Dongchuan Red Land, was a long drive away, so we set off early. As for the RV we used? Strongly not recommended—the beds were dirty, the ride so bumpy you couldn't sleep, and the seats faced sideways, making it impossible to stay seated during braking.

Luoshi Bay: First Glimpse, Pure Wow

Some say Dongchuan Red Land is a photographer's paradise but far from a tourist hotspot. I disagree—if the season and timing are right, it's a visual feast. The best colors come in May, September, and November, while March offers snow-dusted terraced fields. We hit the jackpot!

The first sight of the red land was a genuine "wow!" The terraced fields looked like a painter's palette, with crops dividing the soil into vibrant blocks of color. The wind was brutal, giving everyone a "bald forehead" look, with hairlines suddenly becoming a major concern. My dad caught a cold from the wind, and by the next day he was sniffling and coughing. We panicked, afraid he might develop a fever.

A quick science note: Dongchuan has a subtropical and tropical climate, with high temperatures and rainfall that leave the soil rich in iron and aluminum, giving it that striking ochre-red hue. Globally, only Brazil's red land can compete.

Luoxia Gully: Second Glimpse, Deep Sigh

Luoxia Gully is the best spot for sunset views. It has a long boardwalk overlooking a village nestled in the red land. The open space is ideal for drone flying, but the wind was too strong for my lightweight drone. From the viewing platform, the hilltops were perfectly shaped, with layers of fields in different colors, and the village looked like a hidden paradise. The red land would have been even more stunning after rain, but the clear blue sky was already breathtaking.

The local farmhouse restaurant nearby served an incredible cabbage and tofu soup and pork ribs—lean but incredibly flavorful!

Old Dragon Tree: Third Glimpse, Wishing for Good Fortune

In Huagou Village stands a thousand-year-old cold sand cypress. It once withered for three years before sprouting new leaves, earning it the name "Old Dragon Tree" among locals, who believe it blesses the area. This tree was featured in the film Forever Young. Standing alone on a hilltop, its shape is elegant. A short walk along a dusty dirt road brings you up close. A kind young man helped us take a family photo—I absolutely love it!

Yuepu Ao: Searching for the Famous Grandpa

Yuepu Ao was our last stop. Almost every photo of the red land online features this elderly man with a big fat sheep or a large black dog. Actually, two grandpas take turns sitting there. They're only in their 70s, but Yunnan's harsh UV rays age people quickly. My favorite part of this spot was the scenery—the colors were the brightest and most vivid, with large patches of golden yellow. Unfortunately, you can only admire it from the roadside, and passing cars make it a bit dangerous.

Southeast Yunnan | Mile: Utopia in a Wine Bottle

Honghe Dongfengyun: Master Luo's Surreal World

A photo of a "wine bottle" castle filled me with anticipation for Mile. Against a blue sky and white clouds, the reddish-orange, bizarre architecture looked like a utopian painting, almost too beautiful to be real. This "Kaleidoscope Art Gallery" was designed by Luo Xu, a local of Mile and a sculptor by trade. Yet he created this surreal world entirely out of red brick.

The town is free to enter, with the kaleidoscope at the far end, about 2-3 kilometers away. I recommend taking a one-way shuttle to the innermost point and walking back. Seeing it in person, it exceeded all expectations! The main building, composed of "wine bottles" of varying heights and widths, was stunning. Master Luo has a fascination with female thighs, and the thigh sculptures in front of the kaleidoscope become more "suggestive" the longer you look. Inside, it's an exhibition hall, but unfortunately, it wasn't open.

The kaleidoscope is incredibly photogenic—every angle yields a masterpiece. With few tourists, it felt like we had the place to ourselves. The ice cream at the tea shop was refreshing, and the steps offered the perfect photo vantage point. The seal stamp hall, with its square red-brick architecture, matched its name perfectly.

Epilogue: A Yunnan Trip with a Twist

Nine days across Yunnan—from the crystal blue of Fuxian Lake to the vibrant colors of Dongchuan, and the surreal beauty of Mile—every stop made me see the province in a new light. Traveling with my parents came with its share of dad-jokes and cold-induced chaos, but the landscapes we shared and the photos we took together became the most precious memories.

2020 taught us to cherish every moment. Every trip is a celebration of life. Even with a 9-to-5, keep moving forward. What will the next adventure look like? I'm already counting down.