Baihe Town Train Market in Pingbian County, Honghe
Introduction to Baihe Town屏边县白河镇火车集市
Baihe Town, located in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County under the jurisdiction of Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, is a small border town on the China-Vietnam border. This town is predominantly inhabited by ethnic groups such as the Yao, Miao, Zhuang, and Yi, resulting in a rich cultural atmosphere. The locals, often seen in traditional ethnic clothing, add to the town’s vibrant and colorful charm.
Geography and Terrain
Baihe Town is situated within the Ailao Mountain Range, characterized by a north-to-south sloping terrain that is typical of the karst landscape of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. The highest peak in the area is Dixishan Xinqing, with an elevation of 2,295 meters, while the lowest point is at Sancha River in the south, at 154 meters above sea level. Baihe Town is also the first town where the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway enters the Nanxi River Valley.
The Unique Train Market
One of Baihe Town’s most distinctive features is its “train market,” a market that takes place right along the railway tracks. Every Monday, market day, villagers from the surrounding areas come to set up stalls on both sides of the railway line, creating a unique and lively scene.
Market Day Atmosphere
Pingbian County, home to Baihe Town, is a region rich in ethnic minority culture. On market days, villagers dressed in traditional Miao festival attire gather to trade. The market is bustling with the sounds of vendors calling out and people haggling, creating a lively atmosphere. The narrow street of Baihe Town fills with stalls selling a wide array of goods, from daily necessities and agricultural tools to herbal medicines and ethnic delicacies.
Local Products and Traditions
The products sold at the market are mostly organic, naturally grown by the local villagers. These include fruits, vegetables, and livestock such as chickens, ducks, geese, fish, and shrimp. Various mountain products and agricultural goods are sold along the railway tracks, contributing to the train market’s unique charm, which has been maintained for over a hundred years.
The Experience of the Train Passing Through
In the past, a train would pass through the town between 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. every day. As the train approached, it would whistle from a distance, signaling the villagers to move their goods off the tracks. After the train passed, they would simply resume their market activities as if nothing had happened. However, due to strengthened railway management, a new market area has been established away from the tracks. Most of the stalls have been relocated, though a few elderly vendors still adhere to the old traditions.
Current Train Services
Since passenger services on the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway were discontinued in June 2003, only a few freight trains continue to run, with no specific schedule. Encountering a train at the market is now purely a matter of luck.
A Glimpse into the Past
This last remaining train market in China offers a glimpse into a way of life that has largely disappeared. It is a place where you can experience local customs, enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of everyday life, and witness the unique scene of a train passing through a market. Baihe Town in Pingbian County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan, is an excellent destination for those seeking an authentic and culturally rich experience.
Travel Tips
Transportation:
Getting to Baihe Town can be challenging. After exiting the highway at Pingbian County, you will need to take National Highway 219, a winding mountain road with narrow curves. The area is often shrouded in fog in the morning, so driving is recommended if possible. Alternatively, you can take the high-speed train to Pingbian County and hire a car.
Accommodation:
To increase your chances of encountering the train on Monday, it is advisable to arrive early and wait. Consider staying in Baihe Town on Sunday night. The town has only two hotels, both located near the train market, just a three-to-five-minute walk away. The accommodation is basic, with rates around 60 to 70 yuan per night.
The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway in Baihe Town, Pingbian County
Baihe Town, located in Pingbian Miao Autonomous County of Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, is a notable point on the historic Yunnan-Vietnam Railway. This railway, which was once a vital transportation route, enters the Nanxi River Valley at Baihe Town, making it the first town along this section of the line.
The Yunnan-Vietnam Railway has a significant historical and cultural impact on Baihe Town. It has not only shaped the town’s geography but also influenced its local economy and cultural practices. The railway’s presence led to the creation of the unique “train market,” a market where locals set up stalls right alongside the railway tracks. This market, which has been in existence for over a century, continues to be a vibrant part of the town’s identity, even though passenger trains have ceased to run since 2003.
Although the passenger service on the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway has been discontinued, freight trains still occasionally pass through Baihe Town. This rare event turns the market day into a special occasion as vendors briefly clear their goods from the tracks to allow the train to pass, only to resume their activities moments later. The continuation of this practice, despite modern changes, adds to the nostalgic charm of Baihe Town and its unique relationship with the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway.
