Qujing

City overview

Qujing, located in eastern Yunnan Province, is the second-largest city in Yunnan and the source of the Pearl River, known as the 'Gateway to Eastern Yunnan.' As a megacity classified as a fifth-tier city, Qujing enjoys a mild, spring-like climate year-round, with an economy based on tobacco, energy, chemicals, and agriculture. It boasts rich historical culture and natural scenery, low living costs, making it ideal for international students to experience authentic Southwest Chinese life.

Basic information

Geography and climate

Detailed introduction

Qujing is located in eastern Yunnan Province, forming a key part of the central Yunnan city cluster and serving as the origin of the Pearl River. Covering 29,855 square kilometers with a permanent population of 5.63 million, it is classified as a megacity. Qujing has a long history dating back to the Three Kingdoms period and was the heartland of the ancient Cuan culture, home to the famous Cuan Baozi Stele and Cuan Longyan Stele, known as 'treasures of southern steles.' Economically, Qujing is a major industrial base in Yunnan, dominated by tobacco, coal, electricity, chemicals, and non-ferrous metals, while its modern agriculture produces high-quality flue-cured tobacco, rapeseed, and potatoes. In education, Qujing Normal University and top high schools like Qujing No.1 High School are nationally renowned. The city enjoys a pleasant climate with an average annual temperature of 14.5°C, mild winters and cool summers, excellent air quality, high greenery coverage, a slow pace of life, and affordable prices. For international students, Qujing is only about 130 km from Kunming, reachable in half an hour by high-speed rail, offering the tranquility and low cost of a small city while providing easy access to the provincial capital. With good public security, friendly locals, and a blend of diverse ethnic cultures, Qujing is an ideal place to experience authentic non-touristy Yunnan life.