Sanchuan Town of Yongsheng County in Lijiang

Location

Sanchuan Town (三川镇) is located in the northwestern part of Yongsheng County (永胜县), Lijiang City (丽江市), Yunnan Province. It was formed by the merger of the former Jinguang (金官) and Liangguan (梁官) towns. The town covers an area of 224.8 square kilometers, with the township government situated in Jinguang Street (金官街) at an altitude of 1,570 meters. It is 28 kilometers from the county seat of Yongsheng (永胜县) and 75 kilometers from Lijiang Ancient City (丽江古城区). The town enjoys convenient transportation and is a major transport hub connecting Yongsheng County (永胜县) and Lijiang City (丽江市).

Ethnic Groups and Traditional Crafts

Sanchuan Town (三川镇) is primarily inhabited by Han Chinese, but there are also Yi (彝族) and other ethnic minorities in the surrounding areas. The town and its surroundings boast a variety of traditional crafts, including:

  • Yongsheng Enamel Silverware (永胜珐琅银器制作技艺): This ancient enamel craft has a history of 800 years and is a unique gem of Lijiang’s ethnic culture.

  • Sanchuan Ham (三川火腿制作技艺): Known for its meticulous production process, Sanchuan ham undergoes two stages, “up to heaven” and “down to earth,” reflecting the cultural and emotional significance of the region.

  • Hemp Seed Salt (麻籽盐制作技艺): A traditional craft of making salt from hemp seeds, unique to Sanchuan Town (三川镇).

  • Rice Cake Making (米糕制作技艺): A local traditional craft that involves making rice cakes, a staple in local cuisine.

  • Silk Quilt Handicraft (桑蚕丝棉被手工制作技艺): This craft showcases the traditional handicrafts of the area.

Customs and Festivals

  • Market Days (赶集日): Sanchuan Town (三川镇) hosts lively market days. On the 4th and 9th days of every month, farmers from the surrounding mountains gather to sell their agricultural products, filling the streets of Sanchuan. Jinguang Street (金官街) has markets on the 4th and 9th, Liangguan Street (梁官街) on the 5th and 10th, and Zhongzhou Street (中洲街) and Zhangfei Street (章斐街) on the 2nd and 7th.

  • Longhua Temple Incense Fair (龙华寺香会): Held on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month at Longhua Temple (龙华寺) near Cui Lake (翠湖), attracting many visitors.

  • Lotus Festival (荷花节): Every summer, Sanchuan Town (三川镇) hosts a Lotus Festival, featuring cultural performances, local food markets, and opportunities to admire and pick lotus flowers, offering a chance to experience local customs.

Ancient Architecture

Sanchuan Town (三川镇) is a historical cultural town in Yongsheng County (永胜县), with well-preserved ancient buildings that highlight the charm of the old town. In addition, Longhua Temple (龙华寺), an important religious site in Sanchuan Ba (三川坝), is a popular leisure spot for local villagers. The temple is currently undergoing renovations.

Tourist Attractions

Cui Lake (翠湖): Known for its vast lotus garden, Cui Lake (翠湖) is one of the top ten scenic spots in Yongsheng County (永胜县), with lush lotus flowers covering the lake in summer. Additionally, there are vast orchards producing soft-seed pomegranates, Wokan oranges, and olive trees, filling the air with the scents of fruit and flowers.
Surrounding Attractions: Sanchuan Town (三川镇) is also close to several other attractions, including:
Chenghai (澄海), one of the nine major plateau lakes of Yunnan.
Qingshui Ancient Town (清水古镇).
Hongshiya Ancient Earthquake Site (红石崖古地震遗址).
Taliu Mountain Ancient Tombs (他留山古墓群).
Yunnan Border Culture Museum (云南边屯文化博物馆).
Ta’erbo Ren Mountain (他尔波忍山).

Transportation

  • By Road: From Lijiang (丽江), you can drive along the relevant highways to Sanchuan Town (三川镇), which takes about 1 hour. Sanchuan Town (三川镇) is approximately 80 kilometers from Lijiang Ancient City (丽江古城区).

  • Public Transportation: You can take a bus directly from Lijiang Passenger Station (丽江客运站) to Sanchuan Town (三川镇), with a ticket price of 19 yuan.

Accommodation and Cuisine

  • Accommodation: There are a few guesthouses in the town, but for more comfort, you can choose to stay in the county seat, where accommodation is relatively better.

  • Cuisine: Local specialties include Sanchuan ham, fried lotus leaf tips, stewed pig trotters with lotus seeds, fried lotus flowers, and other dishes. You can also try Yongsheng oil tea, steamed Chenghai white fish with chicken fungus, spicy fermented bean paste liver, and silverfish from Chenghai.

Shopping and Local Products

  • Shopping: You can purchase local souvenirs such as Yongsheng enamel silverware and Sanchuan ham, both of which represent the region’s unique culture.

  • Local Products: Sanchuan Town (三川镇) is known for its production of rice, wheat, and corn. It is also famous for specialty fruits like soft-seed pomegranates, Wokan oranges, and olives.