Taoyuan Village of Longpeng Town in Shiping County, Honghe Prefecture

📍 Location & Geography

Taoyuan Village (桃园村) is part of Longpeng Town (龙朋镇), Shidian County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is located 7 kilometers east of the town center and 61 kilometers from the county seat. The village borders Jichong Village (己冲村) to the east, Liujie Village (六街村) to the south and north, and Xiaolusou Village (小路南村) to the north.

Covering an area of 27.24 square kilometers and situated at an altitude of 1,870 meters, Taoyuan Village (桃园村) enjoys a subtropical climate with an average annual temperature of 18℃ and annual rainfall of 1,100 mm. The terrain is mainly mountainous, with a high forest coverage rate. In 2022, it was selected as a provincial-level forest village in Yunnan, highlighting its excellent ecological environment.

👥 Population & Administration

• Population Structure: As of 2009, the village had 504 households with 1,892 residents, all engaged in agriculture. The labor force numbered 1,109, with the vast majority working in primary industries.

• Administrative History: Settlements in the area date back to the Ming Dynasty. A township was established in 1984, and in 2000 it was reorganized into a village committee overseeing 14 village groups, including Taoyuan (桃园) and Bajia (八甲).

• Ethnic Characteristics: Yi people make up 98% of the population, preserving a rich Yi-Han cultural blend. In 2021, Taoyuan Village (桃园村) was recognized as a model for ethnic unity and progress in Honghe Prefecture.

🌱 Economy & Industry

• Agriculture: The village has 630 acres of farmland (average 0.8 acres per person), primarily producing rice and flue-cured tobacco. Forest land covers 7,229 acres, with 650 acres of economic orchards growing bayberries, walnuts, and pears. The Yi specialty bayberry industry generates annual revenues exceeding one million yuan.

• Specialty Industry Development: Plans include cultivating Dew Grass (露水草) and expanding bean product processing, medicinal herbs, and vegetable planting. Leveraging rich ecological resources, Taoyuan Village (桃园村) has developed forest-based wellness tourism, with Longyun Health Valley (龙韵养生谷) boasting a forest coverage of 76.57% and recognition as a national forest health base.

🏛️ Culture & Heritage

• Intangible Cultural Heritage: Taoyuan Village (桃园村) is one of the birthplaces of the Yi ethnic “Haicaixiang” singing style and “Yanhe Dance” (烟盒舞). National-level inheritor Shi Wanheng (施万恒) resides in the village to teach and maintain the ancestral hall-based training center.

• Traditional Village Protection: In 2016, the village was listed in the Fourth Batch of China’s Traditional Villages, preserving Ming and Qing-era mixed Yi-Han architectural styles.

• Family & Community Culture: The Shi family promotes “loyalty and filial piety as the foundation of family virtue,” fostering unity and mutual support throughout the village.

🌸 Tourism Highlights

Ecological & Leisure Activities:

• Summer: Harvest bayberries and walnuts (May–July).

• Stroll through bamboo forests and visit Xiushan Temple (秀山寺), a provincial-level protected site.

• Yilong Lake Wetland (异龙湖湿地) for boating and birdwatching in winter.

Cultural Immersion:

• Participate in Haicaixiang singing and Yanhe Dance (烟盒舞) training.

• Explore Shi Clan Ancestral Hall (施氏宗祠) and experience the philosophy of “labor as art” in Yi village life.

• Nearby experiences: bamboo craft workshops in Sanjia Village (三家村) and visits to the Li Hengsheng Former Residence (李恒升故居).

🛣️ Infrastructure & Transportation

• Internal Facilities: Water, electricity, roads, television, and telephone coverage achieved; village roads are gravel-surfaced, with widespread solar energy and biogas adoption.

• External Access: Paved roads connect directly to the town center. The Tonghai–Shidian (Longpeng) Expressway is under construction, with a planned Longpeng Interchange to improve county access.

⚠️ Travel Tips

• Best Season: May–July for bayberry harvest and intangible cultural heritage festivals; November–February for winter birdwatching.

• Deep Experience: Contact the Taoyuan Training Center in advance to reserve cultural workshops. Self-driving visitors are recommended to use off-road vehicles.

• Ecological Responsibility: Protect forests and avoid disrupting agricultural activities.