Guangxi Baoshan Travel Guide

Baoshan is a prefecture level city in southwest Yunnan province. It border Dali Bai Ethnic Autonomous Region to its east, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Region to its north and Dehong Jingpo Autonomous Region to its west. It is a border city with its northwest and south facing Burma; they share a 170km long borderline. Its strategic location makes it an important city in west of Yunnan. It is now consisting of 1 district (Longyang), 1 city (Tengchong) and 3 counties (Shidian, Longlin and Changning). It is about 500km away from provincial capital Kunming. It is now home to almost 2.5 million people.

The area was once named Yongchang in ancient times. It was in Yongchang, people found the oldest traces of human settlements in western Yunnan. During the middle period of the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC), it was the center of ancient Ailao Kingdom. As the Ailao Kingdom declined, Yongchang Shire, the origin of Baoshan City was established in the year of 69 of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) as the second largest shire in the country. It was during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties that it was brought to administration under two ethnic regimes, Nanzhao Stateand Dali State . The name of Baoshan first appeared in 1524.

Baoshan lies in the south end of the Hengduan Mountains (héng duàn shān mài 横断山脉) with more than ninety percent of its territory occupied by medium mountain and quasi-mountain areas. Another over seven percent is plateau plains and basins.

● What to do & where to go

Baoshan with its Geo-diversity is not in short supply of interesting sites. Among all its natural and cultural sites, Tengchong stands out with is geothermal places, pervaded by boiling springs, eruptive fountains and hot spring groups.

Another place worth mentioning is Heshun. Heshun means peace and harmony. The town consists of over 1,300 households and 6,300 and more people. From ancient times on, it has been a place where talented people were brought up. Heshun is the spiritual home to many overseas Chinese. Many of the Heshun people who live abroad are successful businessmen or scholars

Heshun is a very beautiful place with many ornamental structures like pavilions, memorial halls or archways, lotus ponds, marble balustrades, etc. The most important scenic spot that a visitor to Heshun cannot afford to miss is Shuidui , an ancient water mill near a body of limpid water named Yuanlongtan. Yuanlong Pavilion which overlooks the clear pond is an ancient structure. The pavilion was constructed in the 27th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1762 A.D.). The sublimity of the ancient architecture with its excellent layout of the halls, kiosks, balconies and bowers of carved beams and painted rafters add beauty to the serenity of nature. The inscriptions, tablets and couplets, well composed and written by outstanding calligraphists, are highly attractive. The fountain by the side of the pavilion is known by the name "Dragon Pond".

● What to eat

Yongchang ban ya (salted duck of Yongchang)

This is a local specialty in Baoshan city. Its history dates back to late Qing Dynasty (late 19th century). The duck is stuffed with various spices before dehydrate by air drying. Its dry texture makes it popular in local and Southeast Asia market.

Xia cun dou fen (bean noodle of xiacun)

Another Baoshan local specialty is the bean noodle, especially the ones from Xiacun region. Bean noodle are served in hot broth, flavored with chilli, garlic peppercorn and many other spices.

● Access

Baoshan is conveniently connected to many neighboring cities by many high rate national highways due to its strategic location in Yunnan. It also has cross border road network all the way to Myitkyna in northern Burma. There are two airports to air people and cargo to this mountainous region. Baoshan Yunrui Airport (BSD) is about 7km away from downtown Baoshan. Several airliners such as China Eastern, China Southern and Kunming Air operate in BSD connecting Baoshan to many domestic destinations such as Beijing, Xi’an, Chengdu, Kunming, etc. Another airport in Baoshan is Tengchong Tuofeng Airport (TCZ) which is 10km away from downtown Tengchong. TCZ offers flights that connect this region with cities like Chengdu, Shanghai, Changsha, Nanjing.