Jiangju Old Town of Qushi Town in Tengchong City, Baoshan
Chinese Name: 腾冲市江苴古镇
English Name: Jiangju Old Town in Tengchong County, Baoshan
Location: Jiangju Village, Quishi Township, Tengchong County, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province
Geography and Climate
Jiangju Old Town is situated in Jiangju Village, in the eastern part of Quishi Township, Tengchong County, Yunnan Province. It is 7.5 kilometers from the Quishi Township government, accessible via a rugged gravel road, making transportation difficult. The town is 41 kilometers from the county seat. It is bordered by Daba Village to the east, Shuanghe Village to the south, Qingqiao Village to the west, and Youtu Village to the north. The village administers 21 sub-villages and 12 natural villages.
The altitude is 1,670 meters, with an average annual temperature of 15°C and annual precipitation of 1,500 millimeters. This climate supports the cultivation of rice, rapeseed, and tobacco.
Overview
Jiangju Old Town is distinct from many other ancient towns, lacking a commercial atmosphere or noisy vendors. Instead, it features rising smoke from cooking fires. The TV drama “My Regiment Commander” filmed many scenes here.
A small river beside the village helps cleanse the dust, and the old blue stone slabs on the streets narrate past glories and dramatic battles.
Historical Significance
Historically, Jiangju Old Town was a vital part of the Silk Road, serving as a bustling post station due to its strategic location. Merchants traveling east would stop here first, while those descending would make it their last stop, making it a crucial supply station for fodder and food.
Local elders recall that up to four to five hundred horses passed through daily, with hundreds of horsemen at times. Streets were once lined with shops and guesthouses, and many backyards had stables.
According to the Li family genealogy, the area was lively with people and horses during its peak, and the vibrant atmosphere is still visible today. The old shops and stables reflect the rich Tea Horse Road culture. It feels as though the mule trains have just departed!
Military History
Jiangju Old Town was a strategic point contested during military conflicts over Tengchong. In May 1942, Japanese forces occupied Tengchong. In May 1944, the Chinese Expeditionary Force’s 20th Army launched an offensive to retake it. The battle was fierce and brutal, with heavy casualties on both sides. Bullet holes on the walls of houses along the streets bear witness to this tragic and intense conflict. Older villagers still vividly remember the war.
Current Atmosphere
Walking through the streets, one can sense the blend of history and reality. It is difficult to distinguish which stone slabs still bear the warmth of horse saddles, which stones were stained with the blood of anti-Japanese soldiers, and which paths were paved with Jiangju people’s hopes and fears. Every stone tells the story of Jiangju Street’s prosperity and tragedy.
Jiangju Old Town is small and modest, lacking the grandeur of other ancient towns. It reflects a history of weariness and bitterness but holds significant historical value for Tengchong. Today, it presents its genuine, unpretentious self to visitors, embodying its past.
The town reflects Tengchong’s historical sorrow and its yearning for the outside world. The once lively bustle has faded, leaving behind a serene, modest, and genuine place. The clear waters of the nearby river and the majestic Gaoligong Mountains nurture this ancient town, which many visitors consider one of China’s most beautiful rural ancient towns.
