Mile: A Hidden Gem in the Land of Southwestern Clouds
In the poetic and romantic land of Yunnan, there lies a small city like a warm pearl, radiating unique charm—Mile. Far from the hustle and bustle of big cities, it boasts spring-like weather year-round, picturesque landscapes, and mouthwatering cuisine, offering a tranquil paradise for the soul. This journey to discover its beauty is absolutely worth taking.
A Blend of Art and Nature
Step into the Dongfengyun Scenic Area, and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a dreamy artistic kingdom. The distinctive red-brick buildings here, constructed without steel or nails, showcase extraordinary artistic beauty with their whimsical shapes and imaginative structures. Strolling through, the winding walls and arched domes against the backdrop of blue skies and white clouds make every photo a masterpiece. The Kaleidoscope Art Museum within the area is particularly stunning, with cylindrical structures that channel light to create mesmerizing effects, offering visitors a visual feast. The surrounding flower fields are another highlight, blooming with seasonal flowers—tulips in spring, sunflowers in summer, and pink muhly grass in autumn. Wandering through the fragrant sea of flowers is an intoxicating experience.
The Taiping Lake International Eco-Tourism Resort is a gift from nature. With its harmonious blend of mountains, water, lush trees, vast lawns, and vibrant flower fields, it resembles a garden straight out of a Monet painting. Hop on the flower field train and glide through the woods and blossoms, enjoying the ever-changing scenery. The land art piece "Princess Taiping" is a marvel, where the giant princess silhouette comes to life amid the flowers, perfectly merging with the natural surroundings. For thrill-seekers, the flower field slide offers an exhilarating ride with the wind whistling past your ears.
Tracing History and Culture
The Jinping Mountain Scenic Area is Mile’s Buddhist sanctuary and a great place to explore local history and culture. Climbing the 1,999 steps leads you to the majestic Mile Buddha statue. Towering at 19.99 meters, the seated Buddha exudes serenity as it gazes over the land, imparting a sense of peace. Beyond the statue, ancient trees and dense forests fill the area, offering fresh air and a natural oxygen bar-like atmosphere. From the mountaintop, the panoramic view of Mile city is breathtaking, leaving urban noise far behind.
Keyi Town, an ancient Yi ethnic Axi tribe village, preserves rich ethnic culture and traditions. The town’s rustic architecture, adorned with intricate Yi murals, tells ancient legends and historical tales. Warm-hearted Yi locals welcome visitors with unique hospitality, inviting them to join in the lively Axi Moon Dance and experience their vibrant culture. Authentic Yi cuisine, like copper-pot lamb and fragrant beef stew, takes your taste buds on a cultural journey. As night falls, gather around a bonfire, listen to elders share ancient stories, and lose yourself in the mystical ambiance of a bygone era.
A Culinary Delight
Mile’s cuisine is as unique as the city itself, with every dish reflecting its local flavors. Braised chicken is a signature dish, made with free-range poultry simmered in a spiced broth until golden and fragrant. The tender, juicy meat, infused with rich flavors, is delightful on its own or with dipping sauces. A bowl of steaming braised chicken rice noodles, topped with fresh herbs and vegetables, delivers pure happiness with every bite.
Lamb hotpot is another local favorite. Premium goat meat is slow-cooked for hours until the broth turns milky and aromatic. Served like a hotpot, it’s paired with fresh seasonal vegetables. The tender, non-gamy lamb and rich yet light broth warm you from the inside out. Other must-try snacks include golden pea jelly, chewy and savory with soy sauce, vinegar, and chili oil, and crystal-clear rice shrimp jelly, served with rose syrup for a refreshing, childhood-evoking treat.
Mile enjoys spring-like weather year-round, but the best times to visit are March–April and September–November. In spring, comfortable temperatures and blooming flowers make Dongfengyun and Taiping Lake’s flower fields breathtakingly photogenic, with fewer crowds and great value. Autumn brings cool, pleasant weather, ideal for hot springs and vibrant scenery.
Getting to Mile from Kunming is easy, with high-speed trains taking just 30 minutes. Local transport is convenient, with taxis and buses readily available. For luxury stays, the Mile Huquan Tianyi Hotel offers lakeside botanical gardens and tranquility. Families will love the Taiping Lake Forest Log Cabin Hotel, nestled in a forest with fresh air and unique cabins. For stunning views, the Dongfengyun MGallery by Sofitel provides a perfect retreat.
Mile, this charming small city, captivates with its natural beauty, artistic vibe, rich history, and delectable cuisine. Come, slow down, and create unforgettable travel memories here.
The town's planning and development are quite good. Although the scenery and attractions are limited, the strong sense of local life and art makes it feel unique. It gave me a basic understanding of the Yi ethnic group's Axi branch. I really liked the people here; they were very friendly. The dancers were all very dedicated. The food was delicious, and local specialties weren't overpriced just because it's a tourist area.
I went there during the off-season, and there were very few people. The colors of the ancient village were very unique, quiet and special. I guess I wouldn't have that feeling during the peak season. The villagers are very simple and it's worth going.
Keyi, in the language of the Axi people of the Yi ethnic group, means a place of good fortune. Hundreds of years ago, the Axi people fled disaster and settled in seclusion here. The area was characterized by high mountains, dense forests, barren land, and difficult living conditions. Keyi was a blessing to the Axi people. Now, it has become a scenic spot with unique Yi characteristics, and people's lives have undergone tremendous changes. This is the birthplace of the Axi moon dance, where Yi girls and boys greet you at the village gate and dance with you to the music of the Axi Xianji dance. A nearly century-old primary school remains intact, and a Christian church stands beside the square, demonstrating the profound influence of the Christian mission. The ochre-colored walls are covered with murals, including one depicting Jack Ma, the God of Wealth, carrying a purse. A three-story museum showcases the migration and daily life of the Axi people. Several local restaurants are located here, offering a wonderful experience to try their special cuisine.
Keyi Town is really tasteless. If you don't have a lot of time, you can give it up. But there is a place to eat in the ancient village. The name is quite rustic, called "Sen Sanli Canteen", which is a surprise. The decoration is fashionable and fresh. The upstairs and downstairs are very spacious. There is another building in the back with large private rooms on both floors. The proprietress is warm and hospitable, the waiters are diligent and clean, the dishes are fresh, and the prices are reasonable. I heard that I ordered noodles for my birthday, so I specially added a fried egg bigger than my face🍳! The experience is great! [Candy]
Keyi Town is an ecological tourism village of the Yi nationality and the birthplace of the world's top ten famous songs "Axi Jumping to the Moon". The scenic area is hidden in the forest, with fresh air and pleasant scenery. The main attractions of the town are to visit the ancient village, watch the "Axi Jumping to the Moon" dance, and visit the National Museum to learn about the culture of the Yi and Axi people. In addition, the shallow forest path of Mizhi Mountain, with lush trees, strange rocks and caves, and the Acacia Cable Bridge, is worth experiencing.
How should I put it? If you haven't been there, it's good to go and see it, but you have to be prepared for a long journey. After entering the village gate, there is a forest sermon about 2 kilometers long. If you don't like it, you can skip it. It's called Mizhi Wonderland. The real town is located on the top of the mountain. There is a sightseeing bus to take. To be honest, it's quite far. Take a seat if there is one. After all, there are still many places to go. The town is still inhabited. The entire ecosystem is very complete and the ethnic characteristics are also very distinct. Finally, remember to control the time. If you don't have a private car, it will be more troublesome after 18:00. There is really no online car-hailing service in that place. Remember
Keyi, which means "auspicious place" in Axi language, is surrounded by mountains and lush trees. Looking down from the sky, it looks like a lotus; looking from close, old trees are towering, stone walls are like screens, trees are shady, and hundreds of birds are melodious, which is intoxicating. With unique and rich ethnic customs such as "Axi Moon Dance", "Axi Fire Sacrifice", "Axi Bullfighting" and "Axi Wrestling", Keyi Town has won the honorary titles of "National Ecological Cultural Village", "China's Most Beautiful Leisure Village" and "China's Habitat Environment Model Award". [Address] Keyi Town is located in Keyi Village, Xisan Ant Village Committee, Mile City, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, 21 kilometers away from Mile City. [Tickets] 60 yuan. Children 1.2 meters or less in height, elderly people aged 70 or above or holding "Elderly Discount Card", retired personnel with valid certificates, active military personnel, and disabled people are free of charge; retired people who do not have "Elderly Discount Card", students and minors are half price. [Tour Guide] 1. Village Gate Entrance Scenic Area: The hospitable Yi Axi people will hold an ancient and unique welcoming ceremony here. The Bimo (priest) will sing "Peace Tune" while shaking the copper bell. Then, in the ensemble of sanxian, suona and flute, Axi men and women in ethnic costumes will dance the cheerful "Axi Moon Dance" to express their welcome to the guests. 2. Mizhi Mountain Scenic Area: Located in the primeval forest on the left side of the village gate entrance, there is a nearly two-kilometer wooden plank road, which is winding and secluded, with lush vegetation along the way. In addition to the beautiful natural scenery, you will also see colorful folk customs displays, singing stages, sacrificial sites, etc., which make people linger. Walking along the road of this strange land with a cheerful rhythm, every step will bring new discoveries, and every step is a light tune... 3. Tiger Roaring Forest Scenic Area: Go up the mountain from the left side of the road of Keyi Ancient Village, and you can reach the Tiger Roaring Forest Scenic Area. The main landscape is a large roaring tiger stone sculpture, which is 18.2 meters long, 17 meters wide, and 7.2 meters high. This huge and mighty stone tiger guards the mountain village and looks proudly into the distance. The wide base is engraved with tiger totem legends around it. The tiger is the totem of the Axi people and the power of the Axi people. The tiger culture has long been closely related to the lives of the Axi people. The people of Keyi hope that their descendants will be as brave and courageous as tigers and have extraordinary survival and competitiveness. 4. Ancient Village Scenic Area: Keyi Ancient Village has a history of 360 years. The traditional Yi dwellings, ethnic culture and simple folk customs are well preserved. At the Folk Museum, you can visit and learn about the rich and colorful production and living utensils and folk entertainment items of the Axi ancestors; at the Axi Moon Dance Square, you can watch and experience the brisk and passionate "Axi Moon Dance" song and dance performance; at the intangible cultural heritage courtyard, you can appreciate the "Axi Ancestors" performance that condenses the essence of Axi culture; at the Keyi National Restaurant, you can enjoy a variety of Yi specialties and experience the authentic ethnic food culture.