Qixingdun Scenic Area, one of the core attractions of the Yunhe Rice Terraces, attracts numerous visitors with its unique natural scenery and rich cultural heritage. Below is a comprehensive review of the area:
Advantages
• Excellent Views: Qixingdun, at an altitude of nearly 1,100 meters, is the highest point of the Yunhe Rice Terraces, offering panoramic views of the entire Silver Valley and the layers of terraced fields. On sunny days, the terraces resemble a vast, boundless Milky Way framed by stars and the moon, creating a truly spectacular sight.
• Rich Natural Landscapes: The scenery here changes with each season: spring is vibrant, summer is lush green, autumn is golden, and winter is blanketed in snow. Seas of clouds often linger, and the terraced fields appear to be shrouded in mist, creating a fairyland-like experience.
• Rich Cultural Heritage: Qixingdun was originally a place where ancient people observed the stars, prayed to the heavens, and guided their farming. The Yuwang Temple, built in the 26th year of the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty, still remains. It serves as a key site for praying for good fortune during the "Meiyuan Grain in Ear Ploughing Festival," a national intangible cultural heritage, and embodies the local history, culture, and folk customs.
• Complete Supporting Facilities: The scenic area features amenities such as a cloud-top coffee shop and a cloud-top swing, allowing visitors to enjoy the scenery while enjoying a cup of coffee or taking photos on the swings, adding to the fun of the experience.
Disadvantages
• Dining Services Need Improvement: Some visitors reported limited dining options, a mossy taste in the mineral water, and slow service at restaurants, which failed to meet their dining needs.
• Disadvantages in Some Facilities: The round-trip cable car ticket for the scenic area is 120 yuan, which some visitors found to be too expensive. Furthermore, the cable car operation can be foggy, impacting the scenic experience.
• Poor transportation convenience: Although there is a cable car available, tourists who do not like to take the cable car need to drive or hike. Driving requires passing through the winding mountain road, and tourists who are prone to motion sickness may feel uncomfortable, while hiking is more physically demanding.