Laobozhai Village of Zhengdong Town in Jiangcheng County, Puer

Overview

• Chinese Name: 普洱市江城县整董镇整董村老伯寨

• English Name: Laobozhai Village of Zhengdong Town in Jiangcheng County, Puer

• Location: Zhengdong Town (整董镇), Jiangcheng Hani and Yi Autonomous County (江城哈尼族彝族自治县), Pu’er City (普洱市), Yunnan Province (云南省), China

• Area: Approximately 0.71 square kilometers

• Altitude: 885 meters above sea level

• Population: Primarily Dai ethnic group (傣族), with 70% of the population being Dai

• Economy: Based on agriculture, with crops such as corn, sugarcane, and tea grown in the area.

Laobozhai Village (老伯寨) is a traditional Dai ethnic (傣族) village located in Zhengdong Town (整董镇), Jiangcheng County (江城县), Pu’er City (普洱市), Yunnan Province (云南省), China. The village was included in the second batch of China’s Traditional Villages list in August 2013, and it forms part of the famous Dai Ten Villages (傣族十寨) in the region.

Key Features

Traditional Dai Culture

• Traditional Dai Architecture: The village features Dai-style stilt houses (傣族干栏式民居), where the ground floor is used for storage and parking, while the second floor serves as the living space, providing a glimpse into traditional life.

• Religious Sites: Near the village, you can visit Hasa Tan Buddha Temple (哈萨坦大佛寺), where local villagers practice drumming as part of their religious ceremonies.

• Intangible Cultural Heritage: Visitors can experience traditional Dai crafts (傣族手工艺), including Dai weaving (傣锦), Elephant Foot Drum Dance (象脚鼓舞), and Big Knife Dance (大刀舞).

Natural Attractions

• Ancient Banyan Tree Grove (古榕树群): The Zhengdong Town (整董镇) area is home to a group of banyan trees that are over 700 years old, creating a unique “forest of trees” phenomenon.

• Dahebian Waterfall (大河边瀑布): A beautiful and mysterious waterfall, surrounded by moss-covered stones and resembling the terrain of ancient prehistoric creatures.

• Wild Elephant Habitat (野象栖息地): The region is known as a habitat for wild Asian elephants (亚洲象), with up to 49 elephants frequently seen in the area.

Festivals and Events

Water Splashing Festival (泼水节) – April

• Activities: Folk parades (民俗巡游), prayers for blessings (高升祈福), water splashing celebrations (泼水狂欢), Dai electronic music (傣迪电音), grilled fish competitions (烤鱼比赛), and bonfire parties (篝火晚会).

• Festival Scale: In 2023, the festival attracted over 150,000 visitors, generating significant local income.

• Traditional Experiences: Participate in traditional customs such as tying blessings with string (拴线祈福) and passing the love pouch (丢包传情).

Daily Cultural and Agricultural Experiences

• Agricultural Culture: Explore local farms and learn about the cultivation of corn, sugarcane, tea, and other crops that thrive in the region.

• Handicrafts: Visit local artisans and observe the process of Dai weaving (傣锦), one of the traditional crafts passed down through generations.

Dining and Accommodation

Recommended Dai Cuisine

• Grilled Delights: Grilled chicken (烤鸡), grilled fish (烤鱼), and grilled three-line pork (烤三线肉), all marinated with traditional spices.

• Specialty Snacks: Try Sapie (撒撇), Duo Sheng (剁生), Baoshang (包烧), Dried Beef (干巴丝), and Pineapple Rice (菠萝饭).

• Festival Foods: Don’t miss the special foods like Water Splashing Rice Cakes (泼水粑粑) and Seven-Colored Sticky Rice (七彩糯米饭).

Dining Options

• Yujin Dai Fragrance Garden (玉金傣香园农家乐): A local family-run restaurant offering authentic Dai cuisine (傣族风味餐饮).

• Jiangcheng Xiangwang Dai Flavor Restaurant (江城香旺傣味楼): A certified local restaurant known for its traditional Dai dishes (傣味).

Best Time to Visit

Climate

Laobozhai enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate (亚热带季风气候) with no frost year-round, making it a suitable destination for travel throughout the year.

Recommended Visiting Period

The best time to visit is from March to November, when the weather is most favorable for outdoor activities. However, if you’re keen to experience the Water Splashing Festival (泼水节) in April, make sure to book your accommodation in advance, as this is the peak travel season.

Travel Tips

Respect Local Customs

When visiting temples and participating in cultural activities, it is essential to respect the local Dai customs (傣族风俗). Modest attire is required when entering religious sites.

Wildlife Safety

If you encounter wild elephants, keep a safe distance (保持距离) and never approach them, as they can be unpredictable.

Transportation

The village roads are narrow, so it’s recommended to drive carefully or hire a local driver for a safer journey. If possible, self-driving or charter services are the best ways to navigate the area.

Shopping Recommendations

The village is an excellent place to buy traditional Dai handicrafts (傣族手工艺品), such as Dai silk textiles (傣锦), tea sets, and scarves. These make for beautiful souvenirs.

Nearby Attractions

Man Tan Ancient Village (曼滩古村落)

The Man Tan Ancient Village (曼滩古村落) preserves traditional Dai stilt houses (傣家干栏式竹楼) and is famous for its stunning “sky gardens” (空中花园).

Chengzi Three Villages (城子三寨)

This group of villages, including Manhejing, Manjingzhai, and Manhe (曼贺井、曼景寨、曼贺), is located in the core area of a 4A-level scenic area (4A级景区).

Re Shui He Hot Springs (热水河温泉)

This natural wild hot spring area offers a high value for relaxation and is perfect for unwinding in the beautiful outdoors.