Ancient Salt Road of Lajing Town in Lanping County, Nujiang
Overview of Lajing Town
Lajing Town (啦井镇) is located in Lanping County (兰坪县), part of the Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture (怒江傈僳族自治州) in Yunnan Province (云南省), China. Positioned in the central part of Lanping County, it connects to Tongdian Town (通甸镇) to the east, Jinding Town (金顶镇) to the southeast, Tuo’e Township (兔峨乡) to the south, Yingpan Town (营盘镇) to the west, and Shideng Township (石登乡) to the north. The town is approximately 35 kilometers from the county seat and spans an area of 508.47 square kilometers. As of the end of 2019, Lajing had a registered population of 16,397 people.
Administrative Divisions
As of June 2020, Lajing Town administers nine villages: Lajing Village (啦井村), Changjian Village (长涧村), Xinjian Village (新建村), Buchang Village (布场村), Guading Village (挂登村), Taoshui Village (桃树村), Fuhe Village (富和村), Jiulong Village (九龙村), and Qijian Village (期井村). The town government is located on Lajing Street (拉井街).
Lajing Village and Salt Production
Lajing Village, the seat of the town’s government, is conveniently located 38 kilometers from the county seat. It borders Taoshui Village to the east, Fuhe Village to the south, Jiulong Village to the west, and Buchang and Changjian Villages to the north. The village encompasses 17 groupings, with 516 households and a population of 2,565.
Historical Significance of Salt and Ancient Roads
Leaving Lanping, travelers pass through a four-kilometer-long tunnel to reach Lajing Village, known for its salt production. It is said that Lajing salt is used for making Nuodeng ham (诺邓火腿). Nearby is an ancient salt road, historically used for transporting salt by horse.
Lajing is one of the 33 ancient towns in Yunnan and a former county seat of Lanping. The area boasts remnants of its salt mines and offers a chance to explore Sifang Street (四方街).
Cultural and Historical Background
Lanping County is situated in the northwestern part of Yunnan, within the Hengduan Mountains’ valley, and lies at the heart of the “Three Parallel Rivers” UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known as the “Gateway of the Three Rivers” and is enveloped by the Biluoxue Mountain (碧罗雪山) and Laojun Mountain (老君山), which harbor a thousand years of historical civilization.
Historically, Lanping has been recognized as the “Home of Salt,” with salt mining dating back over 160 years. It is known for the “Nine Salt Wells of Lanping,” including Lajing (啦井), Wenjing (温井), Shangjing (上井), Qijing (期井), Xingjing (兴井), Laomu Jing (老姆井), Xiaojing (下井), Xiao Yanjing (小盐井), and Wenzhuang Jing (温庄井).
Salt Horse Ancient Road
Due to the lack of external roads, salt was transported solely by human and horse back. This led to the development of the Salt Horse Ancient Road network, which had profound historical significance in the salt trade in northwestern Yunnan. Ancestors of Lanping drove numerous horse caravans along these ancient roads, transitioning the area from barbarism to modern civilization.
Historical records reveal many ancient roads within Lanping County, with the most famous routes being “Jianchuan Jinhua to Lanping Lajing” (剑川金华—兰坪啦井), “Yunlong Shimen to Lanping Laomu Jing” (云龙石门—兰坪老姆井), “Weixi to Lanping Gao Xuan Jing” (维西—兰坪高轩井), and “Bijiang (Zhiziluo) to Lanping Lajing” (碧江县（知子罗）—兰坪啦井). The “Jianlan” route, from Jianchuan Jinhua to Lanping Lajing, has received extensive attention for its wealth of cultural relics and is about 120 kilometers long.
Salt Culture and Local Products
Notably mentioned in historical documents, the Lajing Lajiming Well (喇鸡鸣井) is highly regarded for its salt quality. Among local products, “Peach Blossom Salt” (桃花盐) is particularly famous, appearing light pink when cooked and earning a reputation across Yunnan. This salt is supplied to regions such as Dali (大理), Lijiang (丽江), and parts of Deqen (迪庆), and is even exported to northern Myanmar (缅甸).
Despite the difficult terrain of the ancient roads, merchants continue to visit, and salt transportation has fostered the region’s prosperity and distinctive salt horse culture, becoming an essential part of Lanping’s ethnic culture. The ancient salt road encapsulates Lanping’s historical and cultural narrative, making it a topic of endless fascination.
Cultural Legacy and Preservation
The Salt Horse culture is deeply embedded in the region’s history, evident in the customs of various ethnic groups such as the Lisu, Bai, and Nuo. Songs like “Salt Horse Love Song” (盐马情歌), “Driving Horse Melody” (赶马调), and “Meeting Song” (相会歌) originated from these ancient paths, embodying the spirit of the local culture and continuing to be sung today.
Lajing Salt Horse Ancient Road Cultural Exhibition Hall
Located on the third floor of the Zixing Five-Flavor Fruit Processing Factory in Lajing Town, the exhibition hall covers over 300 square meters and has an investment of over 800,000 yuan (with 200,000 yuan from the Lanping County Ethnic and Religious Affairs Bureau). The hall displays over 60 exhibits, 100 historical photographs, and more than 50 panels, using visual, textual, and audio methods to present Lajing’s history.
Entering the exhibition hall, visitors encounter photos, texts, and artifacts that vividly depict Lajing’s development and changes, showcasing the community’s happiness. The hall serves as a vessel for understanding local history and roots, bringing historical and cultural archives to life.
Future Directions
For rural revitalization, Lajing aims to shape both its identity and cultural essence. The town will utilize the exhibition hall to share its history and stories, fostering learning and appreciation among visitors and the younger generation, strengthening community values, and contributing to cultural development.
Travel Tips
How to Get There
Lajing Town is approximately 35 kilometers from the county seat of Lanping. The best way to reach Lajing is by car or bus from the main city. Public transportation options may be limited, so plan accordingly.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: The best time for hiking is year-round, with mild weather.
- Footwear: Wear comfortable walking shoes for exploring the ancient roads.
- Water and Snacks: Carry sufficient water and snacks, as amenities may be limited.
- Photography: Bring a camera to capture the beautiful landscapes and cultural sites.
- Local Culture: Engage with local residents to learn more about their customs and history.
Suggested Itinerary
- Itinerary 1: Lanping County Seat → Laomu Jing → Qijing → Fuhe → Lajing Ancient Town → Newborn Bridge National Park (Approx. 4 km hiking).
- Itinerary 2: Lanping County Seat → Newborn Bridge National Park → Mountain God Temple → Fuhe → Lajing Ancient Salt Town (Approx. 12 km hiking).
- Itinerary 3: Lanping County Seat → Dashi Bridge → Zhongsha House → Mountain God Temple → Ancient Salt Town Tunnel → Sancha River → Madaozi → Old Salt Mine Site (Approx. 24 km hiking).
