Chuxiong City is nestled between mountain ranges on all sides in a plateau region at 5,800 feet (1,800 m).

Lijiang is about a six-hour drive from Chuxiong, and Lugu Lake is about 11 hours north, on the Sichuan border.

Winters are mild, dry and sunny, although average lows in January reach barely above freezing.

Although the Yi People, Chuxiong's largest minority group, has the most historical presence in the area, the large majority of the population is now Han Chinese.

The Yi people are still highly celebrated and maintain a large influence on the city's art and customs.