Yesterday was the first day of the implementation of the cycling ban policy in the Xishan Scenic Area. Reporters at the scene found that although the scenic area had posted notices informing the public, no one stopped cyclists from entering the restricted zones.
Visitor: Fewer people are cycling on the road
At 5 p.m. yesterday, reporters arrived at the entrance of the Xishan Scenic Area. A large sign clearly prohibited cycling, and two ticket booths nearby were not staffed with personnel stopping electric bikes. However, some visitors were still seen riding electric scooters into the scenic zone. "We came here by car this afternoon and didn’t see any electric bikes along the way," one visitor said. "We usually come here often in the mornings, but today we came later and noticed that there were noticeably fewer cyclists. Maybe it’s because the ban just started today, so people aren’t used to it yet." Another elderly visitor said that although seniors like him usually walk up the mountain, they sometimes see people riding bikes on the paths, which they find quite dangerous. "The roads here are steep, and it’s not safe to have bikes around. I think it’s good that the scenic area is taking action."
At 5:30 p.m., two middle-aged women riding bicycles also successfully passed through the scenic area’s entrance. They said they hadn’t heard about the ban and were a bit puzzled. "I didn’t know about this rule. Why can’t people ride bikes here? Isn’t it dangerous for pedestrians to walk on the road?" one woman asked. Another felt that while it made sense to prioritize pedestrian safety during peak visiting hours, a blanket ban might be a bit too strict. "If the scenic area truly believes there are safety concerns, they should explain the reasons more clearly and guide people properly instead of simply prohibiting cycling," she suggested.
Scenic Area: Only Verbal Warnings, No Forced Prevention
"If some citizens insist on riding their bikes up the mountain, we will try our best to persuade them, but we will not forcibly stop them," said Lu Liping, deputy director of the Xishan Scenic Area Management Committee. The introduction of relevant regulations, he explained, was a decision made after balancing the interests of all parties. According to surveys, an average of about 10,000 people hike up the mountain daily, 1,000 take tourist buses, and only 100 ride bicycles. Therefore, to ensure the safety of the majority of pedestrians, it is reasonable to prohibit non-motorized vehicles during certain hours. In addition, before the regulation was introduced, the scenic area consulted lawyers. According to Article 31, Paragraph 2 of the "Regulations on Scenic Spots in Yunnan Province," "Vehicles entering scenic spots shall travel and park along designated routes and locations." Article 41 also states, "Those who violate management regulations shall be ordered to correct their behavior by the scenic spot management authority; those who refuse to make corrections shall be fined between 50 and 200 yuan; in serious cases, fines of between 200 and 1,000 yuan shall be imposed."
"This main road is not very wide to begin with, and it’s unrealistic to separate a pedestrian lane," Lu Liping said in response to suggestions from cyclists to create a dedicated pedestrian path. He believes this is not something that can be accomplished overnight, as it would require funding and approval from multiple departments. Given the current road conditions, the cycling ban is a reasonable measure. He hopes the public can understand the regulation.
Does the scenic area have the authority to introduce such a regulation, and is it reasonable? Reporters consulted the 12345 Mayor’s Hotline regarding the matter. Staff members stated they would relay the issue to the relevant departments and provide a response afterward.
News Link
Recommended Classic Cycling Routes Around Kunming
Today, Kunming—known for its favorable climate and terrain—is long regarded by cycling enthusiasts as a "paradise for biking." Therefore, besides the Xishan Scenic Area, several classic routes attract cyclists every day.
Recommended Route 1:
Gaohai Highway
Environment: Gaohai Highway usually has little traffic, almost no slopes, and offers views of the dramatic cliffs of Xishan Mountain and the breathtaking Dianchi Lake—making it a top choice for beginner cyclists and road bikers seeking speed.
Starting from Dianchi Road or Xihua Road, head toward the area along the Chanfang River. Follow the narrow but sparsely populated path along the river. Willow branches sway, and green trees provide shade, creating a naturally blissful scenery. Although there are one or two spots where you may need to walk your bike, it doesn’t affect the overall flow of the journey. Upon reaching the Dianchi Caohai Dam, the most romantic thing to do is park your bike by the riverbank, take out your prepared picnic, enjoy the sea breeze, have a bite to eat, and feed the seagulls. Then, turn left and continue cycling along Gaohai Highway, taking in the beautiful views of Xishan and Dianchi along the way.
Activities: Besides cycling, this route offers plenty of other attractions. Fushan Village is Kunming’s largest strawberry-growing base, where you can pick and eat fresh strawberries in winter. There’s also the increasingly popular Xihua Wetland Park, where you can get close to Dianchi Lake. If you’re not up for a strenuous trip, you can turn back at Xihua Wetland Park—unless you want to experience the luxury of soaking in hot springs. There are excellent hot springs at the Baiyukou Traffic Sanatorium. After soaking, slowly begin your return journey. At the foot of Xishan, numerous agritainment spots offer food and rest.
Notes: When cycling on Gaohai Highway, watch out for vehicles and pedestrians. Avoid cycling too fast or listening to music with earphones. Without a hot spring stop, the round trip takes only half a day.
Recommended Route 2:
Qinglong Gorge and Baoziqing
Environment: Baoziqing is located in Tuanjie Township. This cycling route sees fewer tourists and light traffic. Baoziqing has a small ecological park suitable for hiking. It’s home to many hill mynas, and the sound of their birdsong accompanies the babbling of a nearby stream. Of course, the most beautiful sights are always along the cycling path. After getting on the highway from Anning to Fumin and heading toward Anning, it takes about an hour to reach Qinglong Gorge. It’s hard to imagine such a naturally beautiful place is only about 40 kilometers from downtown Kunming.
Activities: Along the way, you can find a hospitable local farmhouse to cook a sweet bitter vegetable soup and enjoy a simple meal. Ride along Qinglong Gorge, admiring the golden rapeseed flowers. By April, the Anfu Road area sells fruits like Kyoho grapes and lotus seeds, making it a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds. If you’re interested, you can also visit the hot springs in Wenshu Town, then return to Kunming via the old Kun’an First-Class Road to end your journey.
Notes: The section from Lüze Village to Fumin also boasts great scenery—it’s a pity to miss it. But if you go to Fumin, it’s best to take the bus back, as the road from Fumin to Kunming is an old route with steep slopes and the notorious Dapuji Tunnel, making it difficult to ride. Moreover, this section of the route is nearly 90 kilometers long, and 100 kilometers is generally considered the daily limit for novice cyclists. Riding beyond this distance can be physically taxing. Due to the long distance and challenging terrain, start early and plan to return to the city before nightfall.
Recommended Route 3:
Qipanshan Forest Park
Environment: Ride along the Burma Road to the Huangtupo Overpass, then head toward Heilinpu. After passing Heilinpu, climb toward Qiongzhu Temple in the mountains. Continue past Qiongzhu Temple to the back gate of the Suburban Park, then turn left at the fork toward Qipanshan. Follow the road. After the Animal Research Institute, there’s a fork where you turn left onto a small road that cuts through the Qipanshan Forest Farm. The roadside is lush with vegetation, and you can even catch glimpses of downtown Kunming. There’s little traffic. Follow the dirt road down to the Battery Factory, pass through the factory and nearby villages, and then reach Chunyu Road to return to the city.
Activities: Qipanshan National Forest Park is located in Huahong Cave, Tuanjie Township, Xishan District, Kunming, about 20 kilometers west of the city, near Sanjia Village. At an elevation of 2,483 meters, the mountain once had a rock with a chessboard pattern—19 vertical and 19 horizontal lines—known as Chessboard Rock, which gave the mountain its name. The late Ming dynasty traveler Xu Xiake once visited this area. In the past, there were temples on the mountain with statues of the Chessboard Immortal. Some locals believed the deity was highly efficacious, and many would climb the mountain to pray, a tradition that continues to this day.
Notes: Beginners should be extremely cautious when cycling this route. Firstly, the off-road sections are quite challenging, and those unsure about certain parts must dismount and walk. Some sections even experienced riders have to walk. The off-road dirt road at Xiamajie involves crossing a ditch, and there are many forks on the mountain. Be sure to go with an experienced guide to avoid getting lost.