Ruili Sino-Myanmar Friendship Street, Dehong
Chinese Name: 中缅友谊街 (简称“中缅街”)
English Name: China-Myanmar Friendship Street (Shortened as “China-Myanmar Street”)
Overview
China-Myanmar Friendship Street, commonly referred to as “China-Myanmar Street,” is a vibrant market area located along the border between China and Myanmar. The street spans approximately 1.5 kilometers, stretching between boundary markers No. 81 (including annexes No. 1 and No. 2) and markers No. 82 to No. 83. A prominent and culturally rich gateway known as the “National Gate” stands in the center of the street, showcasing magnificent architecture with traditional ethnic characteristics.
On the Chinese side, this bustling thoroughfare is called “China-Myanmar Friendship Street,” while on the Myanmar side, locals affectionately refer to it as “White Elephant Street.” This unique area offers a fascinating experience where visitors can witness and partake in the cross-border friendship and cultural exchange between the two nations.
Development
Before China’s economic reforms and opening up, this area was merely a desolate stretch of land with a meandering stream. People from both China and Myanmar lived along the banks of this river, sharing its water while belonging to different national territories. Historical ties of intermarriage and commerce between the two sides date back centuries, reflecting the long-standing “Paukphaw” (fraternal) friendship between the neighboring peoples.
In the mid-1980s, to boost the border trade economy and promote cross-border commerce, a development initiative transformed this area into the vibrant “China-Myanmar Friendship Street” seen today. The project took two years to complete. Since then, a total of 15 border markets have been established in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture. Of these, China-Myanmar Friendship Street in Ruili is the largest and most representative, highlighting the robust border trade characteristic of the region. The market used to operate on a three-day and five-day cycle, but now, it buzzes with activity every day, both during the day and in the evening.
Features
Spanning just over a kilometer, China-Myanmar Friendship Street features six central gardens and towering street lamps that line the roadsides. The market is a shopper’s paradise, offering a wide range of goods that attract both locals and tourists. The street’s vendors hail from Myanmar, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, other Southeast Asian countries, and various Chinese ethnic groups, making it an “International Business Street.”
Products available at the market include jewelry, jade, agate, high-end cosmetics, teak carvings, antler and cattle head ornaments, various types of jewelry and clothing, as well as mountain delicacies, wild vegetables, and seafood from the Bay of Bengal. Seasonal tropical fruits are also popular. At night, the market is even more vibrant than during the day, with neon lights from various shops creating a dazzling display. Visitors who have spent the day exploring local attractions flock to the street in the evening, eager to shop, dine, and enjoy the lively atmosphere.
The night market on China-Myanmar Street adds even more food and beverage options to the mix, such as Burmese coffee and milk tea, Pakistani-style bread, Thai lemon tea, Jingpo-style barbecue, and various Yunnan specialties. Street food from Chengdu and Chongqing, including their famous hotpot, fills the air with tantalizing aromas that entice visitors. As a result, China-Myanmar Friendship Street has become a prominent border trade hub and an important showcase of international commerce in Ruili.
