Huangyezhiguo - The Wild Land of Lijiang

A surreal eco‑art park next to Shuhe

Huangyezhiguo (荒野之国), often translated as the Land of Wilderness or “Wild Land”, is an unusual open‑air art park located right next to Shuhe Ancient Town in Lijiang, at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. Created by folk artist and musician Qiao Xiaodao, this former wasteland has been turned into a whimsical world built entirely from recycled materials.​

Old tires, fan blades, rusty barrels and scrap metal are transformed into colorful tiny houses, strange vehicles, tree‑top cafés and dreamlike sculptures. The result feels like stepping into a slightly post‑apocalyptic fairy tale or a live‑action animation set.

Eco‑conscious creativity and playful atmosphere

Huangyezhiguo is meant to be an eco‑art manifesto as much as a playground for imagination.​

• • Dozens of small houses have poetic names such as “Samurai Wild Grass Collection”, “Nomad Drifters”, “Leaky Roof Art Gallery”, “Treehouse Café” or “Cloud Bamboo Restaurant”.​
  • Each space has its own story and function: poetry bookshop with a slide, fantasy cars made of scrap, octopus‑shaped cabins, caravan‑butterflies and more.​
  • The artist’s idea is to show how waste can be reborn as art, and to create a place where adults and children can reconnect with their inner child.​

The park is also a great photo spot: every corner is a backdrop, with textures, colors and quirky details perfect for travel photography.​

A creative park… that can also feel unsettling

Huangyezhiguo has attracted a lot of attention online, not only for its creativity but also for some sculptures that visitors found creepy or disturbing; a few of the most controversial pieces have reportedly been altered or removed after public debate.​

• • If you enjoy raw, experimental art and surreal settings, you may love the park’s bold, “fever dream” atmosphere.​
  • If you travel with very young or sensitive children, it’s good to know beforehand that some installations are darker or intentionally bizarre.​

So this is not a standard, polished family theme park but rather a space of free artistic expression, with both enchanting corners and more controversial pieces.

Practical information and how to include it in your trip

• • Location: beside Shuhe Ancient Town, about 5–6 km from Lijiang Old Town (Yunnan).​
  • Access: short ride by taxi, Didi or private car from Lijiang or Shuhe.​
  • Visit duration: allow 1.5 to 3 hours depending on your interest in photography, details and café stops.​
  • Entrance fee (approx.): 80 RMB per adult, 40 RMB per child (subject to change).