Enjoy Scenery, Food, and Outdoor Sports at Gudian Boutique Wetland

After a long urban life, I always long for a life closer to nature. So when I have free time to travel, I really like visiting places with good ecological environments that are closer to nature. Recently, I spent a few days at the Colorful Yunnan Ancient Dian Town Resort, and the feeling of being away from the bustling city and close to nature was truly wonderful.

Among them, the Gudian Boutique Wetland is the core attraction for wellness and vacation. It lies on the southern shore of Dianchi Lake, backed by Liangwang Mountain and facing the 'Sleeping Beauty of Dianchi.' Covering an area of 1,100 mu, it serves as an ecological barrier for Dianchi Lake and has received the title of 'National Ecological Tourism Demonstration Zone' jointly issued by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and the National Tourism Administration. This scenic spot is also beloved by local Yunnan people, many of whom choose to vacation or retire here.

For the Gudian Boutique Wetland in Colorful Yunnan Ancient Dian Town, the most convenient accommodation is the vacation suites at the Gudian Resort Hotel. These apartment-style suites come with a living room, kitchen, dining room, two bedrooms, a large balcony, and a washing machine. Staying here feels just like being at home—the balcony is airy with an open view, perfect for enjoying the surrounding beauty.

The resort hotel is located within a retirement community, with an extremely comfortable environment and well-rounded amenities—supermarkets, restaurants, and a hospital are all available, along with numerous wellness facilities. It’s especially ideal for inviting family and friends to spend a relaxing and enjoyable weekend; a two-day, one-night stay is a great choice.

Upon arrival, you can check in first, then take a leisurely stroll around the area—no need to rush. For dinner, I recommend dining at Yixinyuan next to the hotel. You can take an electric cart or walk; I find walking more convenient since it's not far, and a walk is quite pleasant.

Yixinyuan Restaurant specializes in authentic Yunnan cuisine, using fresh local ingredients to prepare a rich array of dishes with delicious flavors. The highlight is the beef brisket pot: take a sip of the rich, warm broth first, then add fresh vegetables to soak up the soup—the taste will earn your thumbs up.

Other distinctive Yunnan dishes are also worth trying; the stir-fried bamboo shoots and glutinous rice balls are especially tasty, I recommend them. There’s a supermarket downstairs from the restaurant, so if you need to pick up a few things, you can browse after dinner, then leisurely stroll back to the hotel to rest.

The second day's itinerary is more packed. In the morning, I suggest heading to Bosu Baqianji Ancient Dian Camp to try the play facilities, have a barbecue and whole roast lamb for lunch at the camp, then in the afternoon, go boating on the wetland lake to enjoy the scenery and watch the sunset.

Bosu Baqianji Ancient Dian Camp, an outdoor sports camp covering about 50,000 square meters, is brimming with rustic fun. You can experience a host of exciting and entertaining activities suitable for all kinds of people: families for parent-child trips, friends in small groups, and many companies and teams come here for team-building events.

It's divided into seven distinct areas, integrating camping, rock climbing, rappelling, balance bikes, kayaking, real-life CS battles, and more. It caters to the diverse outdoor experience needs of families and friends, helping to strengthen bonds while also getting a workout.

We specifically tried rock climbing, kayaking, and real-life CS battles. Before each activity, a coach provides guidance on movements, and there are safety protection measures in place, so you can play with confidence.

Rock climbing may not look difficult, but it really isn't easy! It tests your physical fitness, especially arm strength—after climbing, my arms were sore and limp. Judgment is also crucial, as you need to plan each move upward. But I felt the biggest test was coming down; with little experience and nerve, I couldn't slide down as effortlessly as the coach, so I had to climb down slowly, haha. Rock climbing truly builds willpower and courage; parents can bring their kids to give it a try.

Next, we went kayaking, which felt much easier compared to climbing. It's mainly about balance—just follow the coach's instructions carefully, and you don't have to worry about capsizing. Paddling slowly toward the center of the lake, you can also enjoy the scenery along the way—such a comfortable feeling.

Real-life CS is also worth trying, especially for teams. When we went, we happened to run into a large group on a team-building trip and saw how much fun they were having, so we tried it too. In the tense and thrilling atmosphere, it felt like a real-life version of the game 'chicken dinner.'

You can also visit the Star Traveler Astronomy Museum, where you can learn some astronomical knowledge and experience exploring the starry sky and touching nature—it's especially great for kids. Professional instructors are on hand to explain astronomy knowledge.

At noon, we had our barbecue and whole roast lamb right at the camp. After the games, everyone sat around to grill and chat—it was truly joyful. There are several barbecue set menus to choose from based on group size and taste, making it very convenient. The whole roast lamb here uses Yanchi Tan mutton, which is tender, flavorful, and rich in various trace elements.

In the afternoon, there was a rain shower, but it didn't dampen our enthusiasm. After the shower, we went on to experience the Ancient Dian painted pleasure boats. The 46 classical boats docked at the Ancient Dian Art Sea Grand Pier already look like a beautiful painting themselves.

I even prefer the Dianhai fishing boats. Sitting in an open small fishing boat, weaving across the lake with lush vegetation and birdsong on both banks, enjoying the breezes and the scenery, occasionally spotting birds flying past and fish jumping, with a gigantic Ferris wheel in the distance—it felt like drifting through a fairy tale world.

As dusk approached, the best spot to head to is the high vantage point—the observation deck at the visitor service center. From here, you can take in a panoramic view of Dianchi Lake and enjoy the hazy twilight silhouette of the Sleeping Beauty of the Western Hills. Every day offers a different scene: on clear days you see a sharp sunset, while on misty days there’s a different kind of hazy beauty.

For dinner, we ate at another restaurant next to the hotel, trying the distinctive Yunnan Peacock Feast. The presentation was stunning—a colorful array of ingredients arranged on a large winnowing tray, resembling a painting of a peacock displaying its feathers. Every item was a local specialty, with vegetables, meats, and even fried insects—truly unique.

I absolutely love this kind of tourism spot that combines natural scenery and outdoor sports—you can admire the views, have fun, and savor delicious food. Beautiful scenes are everywhere; just pick up a camera and you'll capture lovely photos. Photography enthusiasts will equally enjoy this place.

There are so many things to do at Gudian Boutique Wetland that you can’t experience it all in one visit. Cherry Blossom Valley, Lakeside Campground, and Lakeside Trail are all left for next time. Moreover, there are many seasonal activities: the Flower Festival from March to April, wetland summer activities from July to August, the Fishing Festival from September to October, and in winter you can come here to watch seagulls.

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