Explore Yunnan's 5A-level scenic spots -He Shun Ancient Town
The ancient town of HeHeshun, only 4 kilometers from Tengchong, is a famous overseas Chinese hometown in Yunnan with a history of more than 600 years. It used to be a well-known commercial town on the ancient Southern Silk Road. The natural scenery is beautiful with numerous ancient buildings.
It is currently a national 5A-level tourist attraction. Over the past six centuries, Central Plains culture, Western culture, Nanzhao culture, and frontier culture have blended and collided here, forming a unique overseas Chinese culture and caravan culture that has made Heshun one of the four typical ecological cultural villages in Yunnan Province.
Heshun Ancient Town was built along the mountains and water for several miles with temples, Taoist temples, ancestral halls, and numerous alleys. There are also more than 100 Qing Dynasty mansions with a blend of Eastern and Western architecture styles that are very picturesque.
In front of Heshun Ancient Town is a wetland connected to the Hehe River called Xianhe Wetland. At sunset, the golden sun dyes green trees and water grasses creating an atmosphere reminiscent of Jiangnan scenery. Stepping into Heshun Ancient Town feels like time travel as you encounter white walls covering gateways through scenic natural environments amidst pastoral landscapes that remain harmonious yet peaceful after 600 years.
Two unique and exquisitely built "Double Rainbow Bridges" stand over Heshun River in Heshun featuring large characters "Xie He Shun He" written on them by former Premier Zhu Rongji on August 5th, 2006.
Heshun has its own library known as Heshun Library with an inscription at its entrance by Zhang Liangui inscribed at the end of Qing Dynasty displaying blue characters against white background making it stand out prominently among other village libraries in China's largest rural library where it was expanded onto larger premises combining Eastern & Western architectural styles for its new building during its first decade anniversary in1938 when it was founded.
Although laundry pavilions elsewhere differ from those found within old towns such as HeHeshundalingyuanting featuring eaves-roofed tiles above smooth stone slate platforms enclosed by four sides providing shelter against wind & rain as well as shade for women washing clothes or vegetables mut rice near Hehe river junction forming another unique attraction line within Heshun Ancient Town.
Transportation:
Tengchong's transportation system is very convenient whether flying or driving making it easy to reach this beautiful city by plane train or car.
Airplane:
Tengchong has the Tengchong Tuofeng Airport, which is one of the important airports in Yunnan Province and has opened routes to many cities across the country.
The landing conditions at Tengchong Airport are not very good. For safety reasons, planes cannot land on rainy days. If it rains in Tengchong, flights are often delayed or cancelled. It is recommended to check the weather forecast and choose to fly to Baoshan or Mangshi, then take a car to Tengchong. Baoshan City has the Baoshan Yunrui Airport, which can be reached by plane from major cities. The journey from Mangshi to Tengchong takes 1.5 hours by car, and 2 hours from Baoshan to Tengchong.
Train:
Baoshan City has the Baoshan Station for taking trains to other cities.
It takes 3.5-4 hours by high-speed train from Kunming to Baoshan, then a 2-hour car ride from Baoshan to Tengchong. You can find a car going to Tengchong right across from the high-speed train station in Baoshan. Alternatively, you can take a train directly to Tengchong Railway Station; HeHeshun Ancient Town is about 30 kilometers away from there and you can take a taxi or public bus.
Transit: If you choose to travel by train to Tengchong, you can first arrive in cities like Kunming or Dali before transferring by long-distance bus or chartering a vehicle directly to Tengchong. Although it's a bit of a longer journey, the scenery along the way is definitely worth savoring.
Self-driving:
For friends who enjoy self-driving tours, TerngChung is also a good choice where you can start your journey from Kunming or Dali and head west along the Dian-Mian Highway while enjoying breathtaking scenic views.
The total distance is around 640 kilometers from Kunming with an estimated driving time of 7-8 hours passing through Chuxiong (Yi ethnic culture), Dali (beautiful scenery), Baoshan (healthcare town), and Lujia Dam (coffee base). Friends who like self-driving tours can have fun all along this route.
Public transportation:
Bus route No.6 goes directly HeHeshun Ancient Town
Taxi:
In downtown Baoshan taxis are relatively convenient mode of transportation available for travel within city limits.