Rongjiang Town of Huaping County in Lijiang

Location

Rongjiang Town (荣将镇) is located in the southern part of Huaping County (华坪县), approximately 7 kilometers from the county seat. It borders Panzhihua (攀枝花) to the east, faces Chuxiong (楚雄) to the south, connects with Lijiang (丽江) and Dali (大理) to the west, and is adjacent to Lugu Lake (泸沽湖) to the north. The provincial road Lijiang-Panzhihua (丽江~攀枝花) runs through the town, and there are also connections via Yonghua Road (永华路, Yongsheng to Huaping) and Huaning Road (华宁路, Huaping to Ninglang) converging in the town center, making the area easily accessible. Rongjiang Town serves as a vital transit point from western Yunnan to the Panxi region and is often referred to as the “Southern Gate” of Huaping County.

Ethnic Groups and Traditional Crafts

Rongjiang Town (荣将镇) is home to various ethnic groups, including Han, Yi (彝), Lisu (傈僳), Dai (傣), Tibetan (藏), Bai (白), and Zhuang (壮).

  • Yi Ethnic Group (彝族): Traditional crafts include embroidery, known for its vivid colors and intricate patterns, which hold great artistic value.

  • Lisu Ethnic Group (傈僳族): Known for crafting traditional Lisu clothing, which is primarily made from hemp fabric, adorned with colorful decorations.

Customs and Festivals

  • Yi Ethnic Group (彝族): The Torch Festival (火把节) is one of the most important Yi festivals, typically held on the 24th day of the 6th lunar month. People light torches to drive away evil spirits, ward off disasters, and pray for happiness.

  • Lisu Ethnic Group (傈僳族): The Knife Pole Festival (刀杆节) takes place on the 8th day of the 2nd lunar month, featuring thrilling activities such as pole climbing and fire-walking.

Ancient Architecture

Rongjiang Town (荣将镇) has relatively few ancient buildings. However, there are several historical structures worth visiting in nearby areas. For instance, Lijiang Old Town (丽江古城), not far from Rongjiang, is home to numerous Ming and Qing-era buildings, such as the Mu Mansion (木府) and Sifang Street (四方街). These ancient structures showcase the traditional Naxi (纳西) architectural style and hold significant cultural and historical value.

Tourist Attractions

  • Mango Town “Four Seasons Countryside Parent-Child Experience Park” (芒果小镇“四季田园亲子体验园”): Located beside Sanmazhuang Ring Road in Rongjiang Town (荣将镇), this park integrates agricultural cultivation with tourism. Activities such as fishing, fish-catching competitions, rural customs experiences, and farming activities are available, offering visitors a relaxing rural experience and beautiful pastoral scenery.

  • Longtou Village (龙头村): Situated along Provincial Road 308 in central Rongjiang Town (荣将镇), this typical multi-ethnic village is home to a mango planting demonstration base covering thousands of acres. Guozi Mountain (果子山) is the largest contiguous mango plantation area in Huaping County (华坪县). Visitors can enjoy the magnificent mango orchards and experience the diverse cultural traditions of the local ethnic groups.

  • Hot Spring Village (温泉村): Located 39 kilometers south of Rongjiang Town (荣将镇) and accessible via a smooth pebble road, Hot Spring Village (温泉村) is known for its natural hot springs. With an average annual temperature of 19.69°C and 1075mm of annual precipitation, it is an ideal place for visitors to relax and enjoy a hot spring bath.

  • Rongjiang Strawberry Garden (荣将草莓园): In spring, the strawberry gardens in Rongjiang Town (荣将镇) provide a great place for visitors to pick fresh strawberries and enjoy the pleasures of rural life.

  • Liuyu River (鲤鱼河) Light Scenic Area: In the evening, the Liuyu River (鲤鱼河) light landscape area offers a beautiful view, where the lights along the riverbanks reflect on the water. It’s a popular spot for a leisurely walk or relaxation.

Transportation

  • By Road: Rongjiang Town (荣将镇) is easily accessible by several provincial roads. From Lijiang (丽江), visitors can take the Lijiang-Panzhihua (丽江~攀枝花) road, and the same road can be used to reach the town from Panzhihua (攀枝花).

  • Public Transportation: Long-distance buses from Lijiang (丽江) or Panzhihua (攀枝花) can bring visitors to Huaping County (华坪县), from where they can take local buses or taxis to reach Rongjiang Town (荣将镇). The town is also conveniently located near Panzhihua Airport (攀枝花机场) and Panzhihua Station (攀枝花站), providing easy access to the area.