Summer Resort at Fuxian Lake

Number of days: 10 days
Time: August
Average cost: 2500 yuan
With whom: and friends
Updated: 2025.08.25

A heat wave hit Chengdu in August 2025. To escape the heat, I and three families of relatives and friends, a total of seven people, went to Yunnan's #FuxianLake to escape the summer heat.

Let's set off for vacation.

I. Itinerary Planning

1. About Transportation

Fuxian Lake is a #romantic travel destination in China, with many attractions surrounding it. A full circumference around the lake is a full 100 kilometers. Although public transportation is available, considering that we were traveling with our elderly companions, we decided to drive from Chengdu for the convenience of exploring the area. The one-way journey from Chengdu to Fuxian Lake is over 900 kilometers. If traffic conditions are favorable, the trip could be made in a single day, but it would take over ten hours. Since we were traveling with an elderly person, we decided to take a break and reach our destination in two days. Therefore, we stayed one night in Doushaguan on the way there and one in Zhaotong on the way back.

2. Accommodation

August is peak season at Fuxian Lake, and prices for hotels and B&Bs are generally higher. We followed a classmate's recommendation and chose a B&B in Longhu Xingguang Town, at the southernmost tip of Fuxian Lake. Although it's farther from the scenic spots, it offers a quiet environment and a relatively affordable price. We chose Yifan Boutique B&B, located on the outskirts of Xingguang Town. Despite its secluded location, it's more affordable than those with direct lake views. The B&B has four floors and an elevator. Each room is spacious, nearly 30 square meters. Each room comes with a sink and range hood, perfect for making a simple breakfast. We booked four rooms for a week's stay.

The room is very large

It is equipped with a table and chairs

There is a stovetop, sink and range hood

The only drawback is that the balcony sliding door does not have a screen door.

3. About how to play

Although there are many attractions to visit around Fuxian Lake, since we are here to escape the summer heat and have plenty of time, we might as well enjoy the cool air and delicious food here. Therefore, the weekday play arrangements are not too tight. Every morning we'd drive out to visit scenic spots, and after lunch we'd come back to rest. It was a leisurely and enjoyable experience!

4. About the Weather

Fuxian Lake is located over 1,700 meters above sea level, making it a plateau. The daily temperature in August ranges from 10-25°C. Most days, we'd see blue skies, white clouds, and stunning views of the lake and mountains. However, there might be a sudden downpour, and then the sky would clear up, bringing a fresher air. The temperature was comfortable during the day, slightly cooler in the mornings and evenings.

5. Travel Budget

This trip took ten days, including round-trip travel. Our main expenses were food, accommodation, and vehicle-related expenses (gas, highway tolls, etc.). Fuxian Lake attractions rarely require entrance fees, and if you avoid the highway around the lake, there are no local tolls. We booked a relatively affordable B&B, costing just over 100 yuan per person per day. Breakfast was provided at the B&B, and lunch and dinner were eaten out, sharing a table, which was generally not expensive. The total cost came to 250 yuan per person per day, or 17,500 yuan for seven people over ten days, or about 2,500 yuan per person. After the trip, we reviewed our budget and realized it was more than enough.

Now let's get back to the topic and talk about my vacation experience.

2. On the way

For the convenience of narration, I have combined the relevant information of the two attractions on the way there and the way back here.

1. Visiting Doushaguan on the way there

The first stop of our trip is#Doushaguan. Dousha Pass, located on the Yinkun Expressway at the border of Sichuan and Yunnan, was a strategically located transportation hub in ancient times. However, Dousha Pass isn't famous for its bean paste. It's said to have originated from a Yuan Dynasty general named Dou Shao, who guarded the area. Later, the name Dousha Pass spread through misinformation. From here, you can see a deep canyon with towering cliffs, forming a natural stone gate. Across the canyon, on the eastern rock face, you can see the mysterious ancient "Bai people hanging coffin" burials. Dousha Pass also boasts the remains of the famous "Five-Foot Road." Originally built during the Qin Dynasty, the remaining section is approximately 350 meters long and five feet wide, with each stone step varying in width and height. Dozens of horse hoof marks remain on the road, demonstrating the difficulty of crossing the pass.

Before departure, we booked a stay at the Laomadian Boutique Inn in Dousha Pass Town. We departed Chengdu at 10 AM and arrived at the inn at 3 PM. Objectively speaking, Doushaguan Town is still relatively untouched, and living there does present a number of inconveniences. The terrain is steep and space is limited, so the inn doesn't even have a parking lot. We had to drag our luggage down dozens of steps from the town's public parking lot to access the inn. The room was small, but clean. At the end of the town is the Wuchidao Scenic Area. The food is average, but the rice noodles for breakfast are quite good. The weather is also not cool, and the UV rays are quite strong. It's definitely not recommended for a special trip.

I wrote a short poem in front of Dousha Pass:

Passing Dousha Pass

There are ancient relics on the Sichuan-Yunnan road, but there is no bean paste in front of Dousha Pass.

Five-foot rock steps lead from north to south, and Bai coffins hang on the wall of Shimen Gorge. The town has a cobblestone road. From this gate, there is the Five-foot Road. src="https://dimg04.c-ctrip.com/images/1mf2l12000nlhvzdgF66A_R_800_10000_Q90.jpg?proc=autoorient" /> On the opposite cliff are the hanging coffins of the Bai people.

2. Visit Zhaotong Ancient City on the way back

On our way back from Fuxian Lake, we stopped in Zhaotong and stayed at the Yishan Hotel in Zhaotong. In the afternoon, we also went to #ZhaotongAncientCity. The ancient city felt unremarkable; it was chaotic and chaotic, with few legitimate businesses, just a few ten-yuan shops selling cheap goods. I had originally planned to have dinner in the old city, but couldn't find any restaurants, so I had to move elsewhere. I don't recommend visiting Zhaotong Ancient City.

3. Arrival at Fuxian Lake

The next day, we departed Doushaguan at 9:00 AM and drove for six hours, arriving at our destination at 3:00 PM. We checked into the Yifan Boutique B&B in Xingkong Town on the shores of Fuxian Lake. After a short rest, it was almost 5:00 PM. We packed up and headed to a classmate's welcome dinner. After not seeing each other for years, we enjoyed a good chat and shared some useful information about Fuxian Lake. On the way back, a classmate invited us to watch the sunset on the cliffs of Starry Sky Town. It was here that we were amazed by the sunset glow of Fuxian Lake for the first time. After resting in the room for a while, I changed into pajamas and went to the balcony, where I was suddenly shocked by the bright moon again.

I couldn't help but write down another short poem:

...

From now on, I will cross the thousand-mile majestic pass and listen to the zither at night by Fuxian Lake.

The first day at Fuxian Lake gave us a different feeling and gave us more expectations. From then on, we would walk to the top of the cliff to watch the sunset every evening. The scenery was intoxicating and we lingered there every day. I will talk more about the Starry Sky Town later, and there are many beautiful pictures.

The last ray of sunset

The moon in the small town

A roadside barbecue stall under the moonlight

Moon Viewing from the Room Balcony

IV. West Route Scenic Area

Next, we began our leisure trip to Fuxian Lake as planned. Starting from Starry Sky Town, you can visit Fuxian Lake via the East Route, West Route, or North Route. We took the West Route the most. Each morning we drove to various scenic spots, rested in the afternoon at the inn, and strolled through Starry Sky Town in the evening. Regarding scenic spots, we particularly recommend the Gushan Island Scenic Area and the Luchong Scenic Area on the western route. These areas have well-developed tourist facilities, a wide variety of restaurants, and beautiful scenery, offering plenty of opportunities for capturing stunning photographs.

1. #JiangchuanGushan Island Scenic Area

Gushan Island is the only island in Fuxian Lake, located approximately 800 meters offshore. It is said to boast a Ming and Qing architectural complex of eight halls, five pavilions, and three pavilions. Because some of us were seasick, we didn't land on the island; we simply admired it from the shore. The elephant grass along the shore was beautiful, and we took numerous photos. For lunch, we enjoyed Fuxian Lake stone pot fish and copper pot rice at a roadside restaurant.

Looking at Gushan Island

Gushan Island Scenic Area

Gushan Island Scenic Area src="https://dimg04.c-ctrip.com/images/1mf3b12000nlpaod4D6A7_R_800_10000_Q90.jpg?proc=autoorient" /> Stone pot fish is in the pot

Stone pot fish is cooked

Copper pot potato rice

2.#Luchong Scenic Area

During our vacation at Fuxian Lake, we visited Luchong twice. It boasts a bay, a beach, a fishing cave, and Bijia Mountain. You can hike, play in the water, or just relax and enjoy the lake. Entrance to the Luchong Scenic Area requires a ticket, which costs 15 yuan per person without a discount. Parking is available inside the area. Bijia Mountain is not high, and there's a Guanyin Temple atop it, perfect for taking photos and checking in. Luchong Scenic Area

Luchong Scenic Area

3. #Biyun Temple Scenic Area

Biyun Temple is located on Biyun Mountain, on the shores of Fuxian Lake. While it's called Biyun Temple, it's actually home to more than just Buddhist temples. Counting a total of 36 temples, this is the mountain's most unique feature. No matter what your Chinese faith, you can find nearly any idol you worship on this mountain. Here, you'll find not only Buddhist Bodhisattvas and the Taoist Zhenwu Emperor, but also the Earth God, the Goddess of the Five Grains, and mountain gods. Even more surprising, there are also figures like Guan Yu, Lu Ban, and Bian Que. Biyun Mountain may not be high, but it offers a commanding view of the lake. From the summit, you can take in the entirety of Fuxian Lake.

Biyun Temple Scenic Area

V. East Line Scenic Area

1. #Xianhuwan Scenic Area

Xianhuwan is located in Haikou Town, Fuxian Lake. Strolling along the lakeside, you can see white sails in the lake and pavilions on the shore. Watching the lake water gently lapping against the rocks, it feels like time has slowed down here.

Xianhu Bay Scenic Area

2. #Fuxianhuwanghongswan

In fact, the popular S Bay is not a real scenic spot, but a wild scenic spot. It is located at a bend in a cliff road. Because of its height, the scenery is unique. There are many coffee vendors here. There are a row of pergolas on the cliff near the road. Sitting here with a cup of coffee in the cool breeze is really quite pleasant.

Internet celebrity S Bay

Internet celebrity S Bay The highlight of the northern scenic area is the Chengjiang Fossil Site Natural History Museum. This museum, also part of Yunnan Province, is the only one located on a fossil-rich World Heritage site. It bears witness to the origins of life on Earth 530 million years ago. Numerous fossils dating back hundreds of millions of years reveal the evolution of life on Earth. The 3D images within the museum provide a glimpse into ancient times, making it a truly remarkable experience. It's also worth a visit, as admission is free; reservations are required. Since photography is not allowed inside the museum, I didn't take many photos. Those interested can go there on their own; it's definitely worth the trip. Fossil Museum

7. Starry Sky Town

Here I'd like to specifically mention #FuxianLakeStarSkyTown. We stayed here this week and walked to the cliff edge every day to watch the sunset. We took tons of photos, and they were truly stunning. This place exudes a sense of tranquility and indifference. Gazing at the vast lake, it felt as if all unpleasant things could drift away with the wind.