The Yi Torch Festival is a traditional festival in the Yi area, popular in Yunnan, Guizhou, Sichuan and other areas of Yi. The Yi people think fire possesses a superhuman power which can drive away evil and frighten off ghosts, thus the special relationship with fire. Moreover, they call themselves the "fire nationality."

The Yi Torch Festival usually falls in early July or on the 24th or 25th of June and lasts for the span of 3 days. Local residents hold activities to propitiate a deity, wish for a good year of harvest, and to drive away the unluckiness.

Western Hills (Xishan) is a forest park that is home to natural scenery, Taoist temples, and grottoes. Stretching along the bank of Dianchi Lake, this mountain range is  “sleeping beauty” lying on the lake with her hair flowing on the water. The Dragon Gate (Longmen) Grottoes are the most important part of Western Hills Forest Park. The grottoes were carved out of the steep cliffs, featuring danger, tranquility, and uniqueness. The construction spanned 72 years during the Qing Dynasty, more than 200 years ago.

Kunming Stone Forest, or Shilin in Mandarin has been known since the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 A.D.) as the 'First Wonder of the World'. The forest is in Lunan Yi Nationality Autonomous County, which is about 97.7 kilometers  from Kunming and requires only a three-hour drive. It amasses an area of 400 square kilometers (96,000 acres) and includes both large and small stone forests, as well as a plethora of other scenic spots. An old local saying goes that 'If you have visited Kunming without seeing the Stone Forest, you have wasted your time.' Truly, the site is one of the most important attractions of Yunnan.