Sights in Tengchong

According to research, Tengchong County was built on solidified lava from an eruption 900,000 years ago. Tengchong Volcano Park boasts 97 volcanic bodies and numerous lava terraces, making it one of China's four major volcanic clusters. The park boasts large, concentrated, and well-preserved volcanic cones, lava caves, lava fields, volcanic lakes, dammed waterfalls, and columnar joints. Other attractions include Dakong Mountain, Xiaokong Mountain, Heikong Mountain, columnar joints, and the Moyu River. Hot air balloon rides are available every morning before 10:30 AM, offering a 20-minute aerial view of the volcanic landscape. If you're interested, give it a try.

Tengchong Rehai, covering an area of ​​approximately 9 square kilometers, boasts over 80 gas springs and hot spring clusters, ten of which reach temperatures exceeding 90°C. The heat shrouds the area in a white mist, and gushing hot springs can be seen everywhere. The most iconic spring in Rehai is the Big Boiling Pot, while others include the Spectacle Spring and the Beauty Pool. Each spring has its own name and story. Here, you can also witness the "eggs sold on skewers," one of Yunnan's 18 strange wonders. Rehai also boasts numerous sanatoriums and bathhouses, offering a truly enjoyable experience of bathing and soaking in the hot springs.

Heshun, the birthplace of Yunnan's earliest cross-border trade, is a century-old village deeply influenced by Central Plains culture on the Ancient Southwest Silk Road, which continued westward from here, ultimately connecting West and South Asia. Heshun, formerly known as Yangwentun, was renamed "Heshun" because of a small river flowing through the village, later meaning "harmony between scholars and people." Generations of Heshun residents have run horse caravans and businesses, leaving behind many legendary stories. Historic buildings such as Ai Siqi's former residence, the Cun Clan Ancestral Hall, the Wanlouzi (Wanlouzi Village), and the Heshun Library remain. The popular Chinese television series "Beijing Love Story" was also filmed here.

Gudong Town was once the economic, cultural, and commercial center of Tengbei. As early as the Yuan Dynasty, when military settlements were implemented, it engaged in trade with the Central Plains, earning it the reputation of "an important town in Tengbei." Gudong Town boasts a long history and rich culture, forming a vital part of Tengyue culture and historically known as the "Ancient Prefecture of Shunjiang." Its shadow puppetry tradition has been passed down for over 600 years, and its Xingyang paper umbrellas and Jiangdong embroidery are nationally renowned. During the golden autumn season (mid-November to early December), the town's ancient ginkgo trees shimmer in golden light, adding a touch of quaintness to the ancient buildings. The colorful embroidery displayed in every household, set against the golden leaves, creates a unique scene of "embroidered weaving in the apricot forest." The film "Wuxia," starring Donnie Yen, was filmed here. Unlike most scenic forests located far from residents, the charm of Ginkgo Village lies in its "village within the forest, trees within the homes." 827 households have lived in harmony with over 3,000 ancient ginkgo trees for generations.

The Beihai Wetland Reserve is surrounded by mountains, and the vast expanse of land floating on the water resembles a giant, colorful flower carpet, a dazzling and magical spectacle. From mid-April to May each year, the Beihai orchids bloom, marking the most beautiful season in Beihai. The air is filled with the fragrance of grass leaves, the quacking of wild ducks echoes from the reeds, and the delighted cries of visitors stepping on the grass rafts for the first time can be heard on the lake. Boating on the lake feels like being on a prairie, except this "prairie" is floating on water.

Tengyue Square, a landmark of Tengchong City, consists of two banks, east and west, with the Tengyue River flowing between them. Three stone arch bridges, all inlaid with volcanic stone, span the river, connecting the east and west banks. The west bank features a green plaza and the Gaoligong Mountain Mother sculpture, which symbolizes Tengchong's beautiful mountains and rivers and is a symbol of Tengyue culture. The east bank, the core area of ​​the square, is home to a musical fountain, a library, a museum, a cultural center, and a sports stadium. The scenery is stunning at night, with the lights, river, and buildings complementing each other, making it a popular spot for locals to enjoy a leisurely stroll.

The Dieshuihe Waterfall is 46 meters high, its cliffs flanked by intricate columnar joints. The Daying River, flowing through it, plunges over 30 meters from the cliffs with a thunderous roar and a cascading spray, creating a magnificent spectacle reminiscent of "flowers scattering without a bow." Over the waterfall, a Tai Chi Stone Bridge, built in the second year of the Republic of China by Zhang Wenguang, the governor of western Yunnan, spans. On the opposite peak stands a waterfall viewing tower built by Yan Shitai, the prefect of Yongchang during the Ming Dynasty. Within the courtyard of the viewing tower, numerous stone carvings mark the passageways of renowned scholars throughout history, the most famous of which is a 206-character couplet penned by Cun Kaitai, a Jinshi (Jinshi) during the reign of the Guangxu Emperor of the Qing Dynasty.

The main scenic area of ​​Laifeng Mountain Park is a shield-shaped volcanic cone, resembling an elephant. Legend has it that a phoenix landed there, earning its name. Over time, the area where the lava erupted and the earth heaved has now become home to towering ancient trees. "Laifeng Qinglan," one of Tengchong's twelve scenic spots, refers to this area. At the summit stands the Wenbi Pagoda, built during the Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty. On the mountainside lies Laifeng Temple, Tengchong's most renowned Buddhist sanctuary. Built during the Qing Dynasty, it houses the only white jade ancestral temple in China. April, July, and November are the best months to visit. Early mornings in winter and spring, or after rains in summer and autumn, mist rises from the mountains, forming a white silk thread that winds along the mountainside or cascades down to the summit, creating a breathtaking spectacle.

Gaoligong Mountain, located in the southern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, is a key component of the Three Parallel Rivers World Heritage Site. From north to south, it spans Gongshan, Fugong, and Lushui counties in Nujiang Prefecture, as well as Tengchong County and Longyang District in Baoshan. It boasts the world's largest azalea tree, the over 500-year-old Rhododendron grandiflorum; the ancient relict Taiwania baldwinii, known as the "green longevity star"; native species of Yunnan cherry blossoms and camellias, as well as other rare tree species; and wildlife such as antelopes and gibbons. The Yaojiaping Forest Tourism Resort has been established within the scenic area, offering visitors a glimpse into the ancient trails, castles, and temples. It is also a hiker's paradise, attracting numerous trekkers each year.

The narrow stone road is lined with ordinary farmhouses and dilapidated houses, but after a bend, a vast expanse of land and sky appears. Small bridges, flowing water, ancient trees, and the magnificent buildings with blue bricks, green tiles, and double eaves form a peaceful and harmonious scene.

One of China's largest and oldest rural libraries, this library was donated by overseas Chinese in Heshun in 1928. It currently features six reading rooms, four book stacks, and animal, plant, and sanitary specimen rooms, attracting numerous visitors, students, and tourists. The library boasts a collection of over 70,000 books, many of which are rare and unique in China, as well as over 10,000 ancient books and over 10,000 volumes of Republican-era documents. Incredibly, the library's gate was custom-made in England, and the plaque bears an inscription by Hu Shih.

Heshun Town was once a bustling trading center, home to Yunnan's earliest multinational businesses. The Wanlouzi (Wanlouzi) housed the most famous international business, Yongmaohe. The owner of this old house, once established businesses throughout major Southeast Asian cities, became a byword for the Li family. As a representative example of Heshun's residential architecture, this century-old house is now a residential museum, offering visitors a better understanding of the history of the Li family and Yongmaohe.

The Longtan Lake in Heshun Town is small but breathtakingly beautiful. Green mountains surround the deep waters, and ancient trees and towering bamboos line its banks. Nestled against the mountainside, Yuanlong Pavilion, a Taoist temple integrating Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, comprises the Dragon King Hall, the Three Officials Hall, the Kuixing Pavilion, and the Guanyin Hall. The temple's layers rise taller, with carved beams and painted rafters. Climbing high, one can take in the panoramic views of Longtan Lake. Also nestled within Longtan is the Dragon and Phoenix Pavilion, a stone pavilion inscribed with the words "Enjoy the Mountains and Enjoy the Water." Near the lake lies a laundry pavilion, a unique Heshun sight. Local women often wash clothes and vegetables here, then build a pavilion to protect themselves from the sun and rain. In addition to the laundry pavilion near Longtan Lake, numerous others can be found along the river in Heshun Town.

In Shuidui Village, Heshun Town, a brick and stone courtyard house with a blend of Chinese and Western styles is the former residence of the renowned philosopher Ai Siqi, whose works "Popular Philosophy" and "Philosophical Life" have influenced many young people. This quaint and elegant house, embodying the typical residential style of the early Republican era, is now a major attraction in Heshun Town.

The Cun Clan Ancestral Hall, also known as the Cun Family Ancestral Hall, is where the Cun family worships their ancestors. It is the oldest of the eight major ancestral halls in Heshun and is considered one of the city's most iconic structures. The hall, consisting of a main hall, wing towers, a garden, a guest hall, and a main hall, was originally built in the Ming Dynasty and expanded in the Qing Dynasty. Unlike other ancestral halls with their flying eaves and brackets, the Cun Clan Ancestral Hall's overall architecture is characterized by its Southeast Asian style, a unique and distinctive aesthetic. The hall is also home to a wealth of plaques and couplets, the most precious of which is the "White Hair Court Ceremony" plaque inscribed by Deng Zilong, a renowned Ming Dynasty Confucian general, in memory of Cun Yuti, the "Master of the Bridge."

South of Tengchong lies the beautiful Dai village of Hehua Township. A gentle breeze blows, and the sound of gurgling water echoes nearby. This is the Bapai Giant Spring. Also known as the Water Outlet Cave, Bapai Giant Spring boasts not only captivating scenery but also rare low-temperature hot springs, reaching a temperature of 19.5°C and a flow rate of 4-5 m³ per second. The giant springs contain 56 springs, where groundwater overflows through cracks and cavities in the volcanic rock, creating low-temperature hot springs. Even in winter, the water temperature remains stable.

From a distance, Yunfeng Mountain resembles a bamboo shoot rising straight into the sky. It gets its name from the clouds and mist that often linger around its waist. The "Three-fold Cloud Ladder" nestled between the cliffs is considered the most scenic of Tengchong's twelve scenic spots. Yunfeng Mountain is a renowned Taoist mountain in the area, home to buildings such as the Guandi Temple, Wanfu Temple, and Jieyin Temple, most of which date back to the Wanli and Chongzhen reigns of the Ming Dynasty. The summit's Jade Emperor Pavilion, Sanqing Pavilion, and Lüzu Hall, all built atop the rock, boast unique soaring eaves, earning them the nicknames "Imperial Palace in the Sky" and "Immortal Capital in the Sky."

The ancient town of Jiangju in Qushi Township was once a filming location for the TV series "My Captain, My Regiment." The town's Nanzhai public housing complex bears witness to the main battlefields of the Yunnan-Burma War. Within the Gaoligong Mountain Ancient Trail, several kilometers of trenches and numerous traces of the war remain. Historically, Jiangju was a crucial section of the ancient Silk Road. Today, its humble beginnings are reminiscent of a distant village, free from commercial activity. Only rising smoke from cooking fires and the quietly flowing river beside the village offer a tranquil, unspoiled beauty unmatched by today's urban landscapes.

Houqiao Town, bordered by mountains and rivers from Myanmar, is a small Lisu village in southwestern China. The Binglang River flows through the town, and Danza Village to the north is a picturesque place. Every winter and spring, the surrounding peaks are capped with snow, while the embankment's green crops and golden rapeseed flowers complement each other. The Binglang River's banks are lined with canyons, and the river is dotted with bizarre rocks, creating a natural sculpture garden. The Daogan Festival, held annually on the eighth day of the second lunar month, showcases unique Lisu customs. Visitors can enjoy performances such as "climbing the Daogan and descending into the sea of ​​fire," as well as folk songs and dances such as "Tiaoga," "Sanxian dance," "kouxian," and "folk songs." The Houqiao Port within the town is a major port in southwestern China, and crossing through it leads to Myanmar.

Jietou Town, named for its location just 40 kilometers from Banwa Town in Myitkyina, Myanmar, boasts a rich history and has been known since ancient times as the "granary of Tengyue" and the "frontier of Jiangnan." The ruins of the renowned Tang Dynasty castles of Luoge and Luomei still remain in the town. Jietou's location upstream of the Longchuan River's source and west of the Gaoligong Mountains offers a breathtaking landscape of lush greenery, towering tropical rainforests, vibrant azalea fields, and snow-laden fir trees. Other attractions include the Shunhe Ancient Bridge, Jiaxiang Stone, Baohua Mountain, Ziwei Mountain, Tiantai Mountain, and the Ancient Handmade Paper Museum. It has been recognized as one of the "Most Beautiful Places in Yunnan" by National Geographic China and domestic media.

Mingguang Town, bordering Myanmar to the north, is one of Tengchong County's three port towns. The town's residents are primarily Lisu. Traditional Lisu activities include jumping into the sea of ​​fire on the seventh day of the second lunar month and climbing the knife pole on the eighth day. These events are also bustling with Lisu song and dance performances, crossbow shooting, and other activities. The ancient Yunyan Temple, perched atop Dajian Mountain in the town, is a renowned Taoist shrine, highly praised by even the Ming Dynasty scholar Xu Xiake. This area is also the hometown of Zuo Xiaochen, a renowned general who fought against the British. His tomb, built during the Qing Dynasty, stands on the banks of the Chashan River in present-day Mali Village.