Zhengying Village of Baoxiu Town in Shiping County, Honghe

I. Core Tourist Attractions

1. Ancient Architecture & Historical Legacy

• Ming-Qing Architectural Complex:
  The village preserves over 40 well-maintained traditional residences from the Ming, Qing, and Republican eras, featuring classic Yunnanese layouts like “three-side houses with a screen wall” (三坊一照壁) and “four courtyards with five wells” (四合五天井). Notable structures include:
  • Chen Family Ancestral Hall (陈氏宗祠): Built in 1925, this grand hall showcases a blend of Chinese and Western architectural elements, with intricate wood carvings and a towering gate inscribed with calligraphy by late Qing scholars.
  • Zheng Family Ancestral Hall (郑氏宗祠): A Ming Dynasty relic with a solemn courtyard and stone steles recording the village’s genealogy and historical milestones.
  • Chen Heting’s Former Residence (陈鹤亭故居): The home of Chen Heting, a prominent early 20th-century industrialist and founder of Yunnan’s first private railway (the Shilong Railway), reflecting the lifestyle of local elites with its elaborate gardens and ancestral halls.
• Heritage Streets:
  Cobblestone pathways lined with gray-tiled houses, horse-drawn carriage relics, and century-old wells (e.g., Yongning Well) lead to the Village Cultural Square, where historical plaques detail Zhengying’s role as a key stop on the ancient tea-horse road.

2. Cultural Diversity & Intangible Heritage

• Ethnic Fusion Culture:
  Home to Han, Yi, and Hani ethnic groups, the village hosts folk art like Yi embroidery (featuring geometric patterns on black cloth) and Hani rice-planting songs, performed during seasonal festivals.
• Craftsmanship Experiences:
  • Woodcarving Workshops: Learn to carve floral motifs on window grilles, a skill passed down for generations.
  • Traditional Rice Noodle Making: Baoxiu rice noodles (宝秀米线), a local specialty, are handmade using spring water from nearby mountains—visitors can try grinding rice and shaping noodles at family-run workshops.
• Historical Exhibitions:
  The Zhengying Village History Museum displays artifacts from the Ming military garrison era, ancient farming tools, and photographs of Chen Heting’s railway projects, offering insights into the village’s evolution.

3. Natural Beauty & Rural Landscapes

• Chirui Lake Wetlands:
  Adjacent to the village, the Chirui Lake National Wetland (赤瑞湖) is a haven for migratory birds (e.g., egrets, mandarin ducks) and lotus blooms. Rent a bamboo boat to glide through lily pad-covered waters or hike the lakeside trail to enjoy panoramic views of rice paddies and distant karst mountains.
• Terraced Fields & Orchards:
  The surrounding hills feature terraced rice fields that transform from lush green in summer to golden in autumn. Seasonal fruit-picking activities include pears (August–September) and tangerines (November–December), organized by local farmers.
• Countryside Cycling Route:
  A 10-km loop from Zhengying Village passes through ancient camphor trees, stone arch bridges (e.g., Yong’an Bridge), and fishing villages, offering a leisurely way to admire rural Yunnan’s tranquility.

II. Cultural Events & Festivals

1. Traditional Festivals

• Spring Ancestral Worship (First Month of Lunar Calendar):
  The Chen and Zheng families gather at their ancestral halls for solemn rituals, including offerings to ancestors and dragon dance performances, open to visitors to observe or participate respectfully.
• Torch Festival (24th Day of the Sixth Lunar Month):
  Yi villagers light bonfires, sing folk songs, and perform the Cigarette Box Dance (烟盒舞), inviting tourists to join in the lively circle dances and savor grilled lamb and glutinous rice cakes.
• Rice Noodle Culture Festival (December):
  Celebrates Baoxiu’s noodle-making heritage with competitions, noodle-themed banquets, and folk operas, highlighting the region’s agricultural and culinary traditions.

2. Living Cultural Performances

• Tea-Horse Road Folk Shows:
  Evening performances at the village square reenact ancient caravan scenes, with actors in traditional attire showcasing horse-driving skills, trade negotiations, and folk music, accompanied by lantern-lit settings.

III. Nearby Attractions

• Baoxiu Ancient Town (2 km away):
  A millennium-old market town featuring the Baoxiu Confucius Temple (宝秀孔庙) and Ming Dynasty stone arches, where visitors can taste street food like grilled tofu and sour plum soup.
• Shiping Ancient City (15 km away):
  A 13-minute drive leads to Shiping’s historic center, home to the Yuping Academy (玉屏书院) and the former residence of Yuan Jiagu, Yunnan’s only imperial scholar (zhuangyuan) in the Qing Dynasty.
• Baxin Railway Station (10 km away):
  Part of the historic Sino-Vietnamese Railway, this century-old station features French colonial architecture and vintage steam locomotives, ideal for retro-themed photography.

IV. Travel Tips

1. Transportation

• By Car: Drive from Kunming to Shiping County via Kunmo Expressway (3.5 hours), then take Provincial Road 315 to Baoxiu Town (20 minutes). Free parking is available at the village entrance.
• Public Transit: Take a bus from Shiping County Bus Station to Baoxiu Town (30 minutes), then walk or take a local taxi (5 minutes) to Zhengying Village.
• Upcoming Accessibility: The Eshi-Hong Expressway (opening in 2025) will reduce travel time from Kunming to Shiping to 2.5 hours, enhancing convenience for self-driving tourists.

2. Accommodation

• Village Homestays:
  • Chen Family Courtyard Homestay (100–180 RMB/night): Stay in a restored Qing Dynasty house with traditional wooden beds and home-cooked meals featuring Baoxiu noodles.
  • Lakeside Guesthouse (150–250 RMB/night): Offers Chirui Lake views and cultural activities like evening lantern-making workshops.
• Town Hotels: For modern amenities, stay in Baoxiu Town (e.g., Baoxiu Hotel), a 10-minute drive from the village.

3. Cuisine

• Must-Try Dishes:
  • Baoxiu Rice Noodles: Served in clear broth with pork, mushrooms, and pickled vegetables, a breakfast staple in Shiping.
  • Zhengying Ham: Aged ham with a rich, salty flavor, often used in stir-fries or steamed dishes.
  • Yi Ethnic Cuisine: Try baked potatoes with honey and fermented rice wine (paogang jiu) during village feasts.

4. Best Time to Visit

• March–May (Spring): Mild weather for exploring architecture and enjoying blooming peach blossoms.
• September–November (Autumn): Ideal for witnessing rice harvests and vibrant wetland birdlife.
• Winter (December–February): Experience Lunar New Year traditions, though pack warm clothing for cool evenings.

5. Notes

• Cultural Respect: Avoid touching artifacts in ancestral halls and ask for permission before photographing locals during festivals.
• Wear Comfortable Shoes: Cobblestone streets are best explored in flat, non-slip footwear.
• Eco-Friendly Travel: Help preserve the wetland by not littering and using designated boat routes on Chirui Lake.

V. 2025 Highlights

• Cultural Revitalization Projects: Zhengying is enhancing its historical exhibitions with AR displays of ancient caravan routes and interactive workshops for rice noodle making and Yi embroidery.
• Rural Tourism Upgrades: New agritourism experiences include “Farm-to-Table” dinners, where visitors harvest ingredients from local fields and cook them under the guidance of village chefs.
• Night Tourism Launch: A lantern-lit trail through ancient streets will debut in 2025, featuring cultural installations and night markets selling handicrafts and street food.