Comprehensive Guide to Cultural Relics and Historical Sites in Shuangjiang County, Lincang

Shuangjiang County is rich in archaeological and cultural heritage, featuring a variety of ancient sites that highlight its diverse history. Key locations include the Xiaozhai Site, known for its stone tools, and the Ganlongtang Site, which showcases a range of stone artifacts. The Mazong Mountain Site and Huiluoshanzhai Site reveal the area’s prehistoric occupation through tools and pottery. Other significant sites include ancient burial grounds like the Datian Village Ancient Tombs and Yinjiafen, showcasing burial practices and artifacts. The Mangkang Cultural Site is notable for its connection to the Lahu ethnic group’s religious history, while the Stone Incense Burner and various stone carvings offer insights into local craftsmanship and beliefs. Together, these sites provide a comprehensive look at Shuangjiang’s historical and cultural development.

1. Xiaozhai Site (小寨遗址)

Located at an altitude of 1,600 meters in the Xiaozhai area of Bahua Village, Mangnuo Township, on the high terrace along the west bank of the Lancang River (澜沧江), this site has yielded 17 stone axes, the largest measuring 18.5 cm long and 3 cm thick. Additionally, two pieces of coarse pottery with sand inclusions were discovered.

2. Ganlongtang Site (干龙塘遗址)

This site is situated 70 meters west of a small hill in the southern rubber plantation of Dawen Township, covering an area of 15×30 meters. More than 30 stone axes and over 10 pottery shards have been found here, alongside a hexagonal grinding stone fragment measuring 10–13 cm long, 5.5–7.5 cm wide, and approximately 1.5–2.0 cm thick, primarily trapezoidal in shape. The pottery fragments are coarse with sand inclusions, brown in color, thick-walled, with low firing temperatures making them fragile.

3. Mazong Mountain Site (马鬃山遗址)

Located 1,000 meters west of Mazong Mountain Village in the Huangtian area of Mangnuo Township, at an altitude of 1,200 meters, this site is on a secondary terrace where the Mangnuo River meets the Lancang River, approximately 400 meters above the river. It has yielded 20 stone axes and fragments, all belonging to the Mangnuo type.

4. Huilu Mountain Site (回落山遗址)

This site is situated on the southeastern slope of Huilu Mountain in Banduo Village, Dawen Township. Surface findings include 30 stone tools, predominantly shaped like axes, exhibiting characteristics between the Mangnuo and Nanbiqiao types. The pottery shards are mostly clay-based, with a smaller proportion of sand, brown in color, and featuring rope patterns.

5. Datian Village Ancient Tomb Group (大田村古墓群)

Located about 1,000 meters west of Datian Village in Bahua Village, Mangnuo Township, on a steep slope along the southern section of the Gongang River, this group of tombs consists of three burial pits measuring approximately 200 cm in length and 60–70 cm in width, oriented north-south. Two coins were also discovered alongside.

6. Yinjia Tomb (殷家坟)

This site is found 1,500 meters from Mangla Village in the Huangtian area of Mangnuo Township, on a terrace where the Mangla River meets the Lancang River, at an altitude of 1,100 meters. Ten stone axes, one scraper, and remnants indicative of the Mangnuo type were uncovered. The scraper measures 7 cm in length, 4.5 cm in width, and is 0.6 cm thick, showing signs of use.

7. Yingpan Trenches (营盘战壕)

Located in the Yingpan area of Dawen and Gengma, these trenches can still be seen at various locations, including three trenches behind Yingpan Village in Shahe Township.

8. County Air Raid Shelter (县防空洞)

This military relic consists of 52 simple air raid shelters constructed in 1970, covering a total area of 107 square meters, along with 161 single-person shelters. One semi-permanent air raid shelter made of brick and stone, measuring 20 square meters, still exists today.

9. Ancient Stone Bridge at Mengku Xiaocunhe (勐库小村河古石桥)

Located 20 kilometers north of Mengku Town, this stone bridge, built in 1905, is 6 meters long, 2.2 meters wide, and 2.3 meters high, comprising five stone slabs. It serves as a key thoroughfare bridge connecting to Lincang.

10. Cultural Relics of the Quankong Revolutionary Area (大文乡圈控革命老区文化遗址)

The Pu Family Compound (浦家大院), the residence of revolutionary figure Pu Shimin (浦世民), is located in Qianxin, Dawen Township. Built between 1944 and 1945, it features a two-story wooden structure covering 726.8 square meters. In March 1949, under the leadership of Li Peilun (李培伦), Pu Shimin, and Dao San, an armed uprising was initiated, marking the beginning of the liberation efforts in Shuanggjiang.

11. Mangnuo Pond Lahu Culture Site (忙糯池塘拉祜族文化遗址)

Situated on a hilltop south of Pond Village, 4 kilometers from the Mangnuo Township government, this site contains a stone incense burner, originally a religious artifact of the Lahu ethnic group (拉祜族). Historically, this area served as a center for Lahu religious and political activities.

12. Hexagonal Polished Stone Artifact (六角形磨制石文物)

Discovered in a field south of Huangtian Village in Mangnuo Township, this artifact features a standard hexagonal shape with a distance of 13.5–14 cm between opposite corners, with a drilled hole 6.5 cm in diameter.

13. Shuanggjiang Stone Casting Mold (双江石范)

This historical artifact, found in Daliangzi Village in Dawen Township, is half of a copper axe casting mold made from fine sand. It measures 13.7 cm long, 8.3 cm wide, and 3.6 cm thick.

14. Earth Cannons (土炮)

Two earth cannons can be found in Bangyou Village, Heluxiang Township. One is housed in the county archives; it measures approximately 1.5 meters in length, with an internal diameter of 2 cm.

15. Pingding Luoheshan Memorial (平定倮黑山纪念碑)

This monument, authored by Xiao Yichun (萧译春), is preserved in the county archives, where a complete version is recorded.

16. Kara Jar Historical Relics (卡拉罐)

Numerous wide-shouldered pottery jars have been found in Mangnuo Township, primarily in Bangtan and Daban villages, characterized by a vase-like shape.

17. Wooden Horse Sculpture (木雕马)

This historical artifact is a vibrantly colored wooden horse collected from the local populace within Dawen Township.

18. Scripture Cabinet (藏经柜)

Located in Jingkang Buddhist Temple (景亢佛寺), this cabinet features intricate carvings of flowers and a female figure holding a pen and a scroll, inscribed with the names of past Buddhist devotees.

19. Lihai Meng (历豪勐)

This historical record recounts the history of the Mengmeng Tusi (土司), though the original document has been lost. A copy made by Song Zinia (宋子臬) in 1946 exists.

20. Stone Incense Burner (石香炉)

This incense burner, located on a hilltop south of the Mangnuo Township government, stands 80 cm tall and 60 cm in diameter. It is intricately designed and is significant to the cultural history of the Lahu people.

21. Mangnuo Stone Carvings (忙糯石刻群)

Discovered near Xiaobidi on the ancient post road in Mangnuo Township, these inscriptions were documented in 1998 and are considered important cultural heritage within the region.

How to Get There

To reach Shuanggjiang County, you can take a flight to Lincang City and then travel by bus or taxi to the county. Major highways connect Shuanggjiang with nearby cities.

Travel Tips

• Local Guides: Consider hiring a local guide for an in-depth understanding of the cultural sites.
• Transportation: Renting a vehicle can be convenient for visiting remote sites.
• Respect Cultural Practices: Be mindful of local customs and traditions, especially in religious sites.
• Pack Essentials: Bring water, snacks, and sun protection, as some sites may be far from amenities.