Baohe Town of Weixi County, Diqing

Baohe Town （保和镇）is located in the southern part of Weixi Lisu Autonomous County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province (维西傈僳族自治县迪庆藏族自治州云南省). It is the county seat of Weixi County (维西县). Situated at the foot of Mount Bao Hua on the east bank of the Yongchun River (永春河东岸宝华山麓), it borders Yongchun Township to the east, south, and north, and is adjacent to Weiding Township and Zhonglu Township to the west. The terrain of Baohe Town slopes from west to east, backed by Mount Xuelong and facing the Yongchun River. The administrative area covers 310 square kilometers.

History

Baohe Town has a long history. It began to be governed in the 14th year of the Yuan Dynasty’s reign of Zhiyuan (1277), when Linxi County was established. In the sixth year of the Qing Dynasty’s reign of Yongzheng (1728), the first prefect decided to build city walls here, making it the seat of Weixi Prefecture. In the second year of the Republic of China (1913), the prefecture was changed to a county, and this place became the county seat, known as the urban area. In 1953, it was renamed Baohe Town. During the Cultural Revolution, it was once renamed Hongqi Town. In 1975, it was changed from being under the jurisdiction of Yongchun Commune to being under the county’s jurisdiction, and a district-level Baohe Town Commune was established.

Folklore

Baohe Town is a multi-ethnic settlement, mainly inhabited by Han, Naxi, Bai, Lisu, Tibetan, and Pumi ethnic groups. Rich ethnic cultures and traditional customs are preserved here, such as the Lisu ethnic group’s Azhi Muge singing and dancing and the traditional costumes of the Naxi ethnic group. On specific festivals, such as the 5th day of the 12th lunar month and from September to October, local people will hold Kuoshe Festival and Harvest Festival activities.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Baohe Town has a subtropical and temperate monsoon plateau mountain climate, with long winters and no summers, and spring and autumn connected, presenting a vertical climate. The average annual temperature is 11.8℃, with an average temperature of 4.2℃ in January and an extreme minimum temperature of -8.9℃; the average temperature in July is 18.8℃, with an extreme maximum temperature of 31.9℃. The best time to visit is in spring and autumn when the climate is pleasant and the scenery is the most beautiful.

Recommended Attractions

  • Yongchun River: The main river of Baohe Town, with beautiful scenery along the river, suitable for hiking and photography.
  • Bapatang Village: Located along the Yongchun River, it is a village with ethnic characteristics where you can experience local folk culture.
  • Surrounding Natural Scenery: Including continuous mountains, streams, springs, and ancient walnut trees.

Suggested Duration of Stay

  • Yongchun River: It is recommended to stay for 1 hour.
  • Bapitang Village: It is recommended to stay for 2 hours.
  • Surrounding Natural Scenery: It is recommended to stay for half a day to one day.

Transportation

  • By Car: Depart from Weixi County (维西县城) and travel along the highway to Baohe Town, with a total distance of about 14 kilometers.
  • By Public Transport: Take a bus from Weixi County Passenger Station to Baohe Town.

Cuisine

  • Lisu Traditional Food: Such as Pise Meat and Zamba.
  • Steam Rice Cake: A local specialty.
  • Roast Suckling Pig: A local specialty.

Shopping

  • Ethnic Handicrafts: Such as wooden bowls and Zamba boxes, with a strong ethnic flavor.
  • Chinese Medicinal Materials: Such as Aucklandia and Platycodon, which are abundant locally.

Accommodation

There are Tibetan-style guesthouses available in and around Baohe Town, with good conditions to experience Tibetan风情.

Travel Tips

  • Respect Local Customs: When visiting, respect the religious beliefs and traditional customs of the local ethnic groups.
  • Protect the Environment: The ecological environment of Baohe Town is good. Pay attention to environmental protection during your visit.
  • Safety First: The roads to Baohe Town are relatively rugged. Drive carefully if you are traveling by car.

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrive in Baohe Town, visit the Yongchun River, experience local folk culture, and taste local specialties.
  • Day 2: Head to Bapitang Village to experience ethnic characteristics; in the afternoon, visit the surrounding natural scenery, such as mountains and streams.
  • Day 3: Return to Weixi County or continue to other attractions.

Baohe Town is a place full of ethnic characteristics and cultural heritage, suitable for tourists who love folk culture and natural scenery. Here, you can feel the warm hospitality of the local people and appreciate the unique charm of ancient ethnic cultures. We hope that your trip to Baohe Town will be fruitful and leave you with unforgettable memories.