This "Ancient Caravan City" hidden by the Red River is waiting for you to unlock a legendary journey

🗺️ Two-day tour, step into the legend of the caravan

▪️ Day 1: Taste the Ancient Town
Mengzi Station → Yisa Ancient Town Entrance → Caravan Courtyard → East Gate Tower Night Market → Ancient Town Night View
▪️ Day 2: Trace the Caravan Origins
Guanyin Pavilion → Caravan Museum → Li Hecai Former Residence → Honghe County Museum → Return

🏮 Yisa Ancient Town | 🎫 Free

▪️ China’s only "Ancient Caravan City," with winding bluestone paths where French-style arcades and Chinese courtyards blend wonderfully. Before 7 AM, the empty streets with dappled light are perfect for photos📸
▪️ Don’t miss the "Caravan Courtyard," where copper bells and saddles tell stories of the past, and the host will share the legendary tales of the "Zou Yi Fang" caravans

🏛️ Caravan Museum | 🎫 15 RMB

▪️ The "Eighteen Mules Carrying Silver" scene recreates the caravan’s glory, and folk song documentaries tell of those tough yet heroic times
▪️ Every Wednesday and Saturday at 10 AM, join the "Caravan Dance" with locals and feel the spirit of the caravan flowing in the blood

🏯 Guanyin Pavilion | 🎫 Free

▪️ A century-old temple perched on a cliff; climb the pavilion for a panoramic view of the layered red-tiled roofs, especially stunning at sunset🌅
▪️ Qing Dynasty murals delicately depict caravan blessing scenes; bring a flashlight to explore the details treasured by time

🏡 Li Hecai Former Residence | 🎫 10 RMB

▪️ Residence of a Republic of China caravan leader, with a cleverly designed "Zou Ma Corner Tower" where you can stroll under the corridor without getting wet on rainy days
▪️ Gilded saddles and jade tobacco pipes witness past luxury; every exhibit tells the story of that turbulent era

🚌 Transportation Guide

🚄 Arrival
▪️ Take the high-speed train to Mengzi Station, then transfer to a minibus (35 RMB/2 hours) directly to the ancient town, running hourly from 6:30 to 17:30
▪️ Self-driving: navigate to "Yisa Ancient Town Visitor Center," parking is 8 RMB/day; the ancient town must be explored on foot

🚶 Internal Transport
▪️ The ancient town is best explored on foot; bring comfortable sneakers
▪️ To reach the county museum, take a taxi (about 10 RMB) or bus line 1 (2 RMB) directly

✨ Helpful Tips

• Best time to visit: November to February for pleasant weather; June to August is rainy, bring an umbrella
• Must-try foods: Yisa tofu, caravan roasted meat, and the sweet and refreshing Paoluda at East Gate Tower Night Market for 10 RMB/serving
• If visiting during the Lunar March 3rd "Caravan Culture Festival," experience mule and horse parades, folk song duets, and horseback rides (50 RMB per round)

Stepping into Yisa is not just entering a city but stepping into living history. The sound of caravan bells still echoes in the wind, waiting to meet you in this cost-effective hidden ancient city.