Xingquan Town of Huaping County in Lijiang

Geography

Xingquan Town (兴泉镇) is located in the eastern part of Huaping County (华坪县), Lijiang City (丽江市), Yunnan Province. It lies at the junction of Yunnan and Sichuan provinces and serves as an important passageway from northwest Yunnan to Sichuan. The town covers an area of 228.7 square kilometers and administers 9 village committees. To the east, it borders Geli Ping Town (格里坪镇) in Panzhihua City (攀枝花市), Sichuan Province; to the south, it adjoins Shilongba Township (石龙坝乡) in Huaping County (华坪县); to the west, it neighbors the central town of Huaping County (华坪县中心镇) and Chuanfang Township (船房乡); to the north, it connects with Huimin Township (惠民乡) in Panzhihua City (攀枝花市), Sichuan Province.

Ethnic Groups and Traditional Crafts

Xingquan Town (兴泉镇) is home to 11 ethnic groups, including Han, Lisu (傈僳), Yi (彝), Hui (回), Miao (苗), Naxi (纳西), Dai (傣), and Zhuang (壮). The traditional crafts of these ethnic groups are diverse and vibrant:
Yi (彝) People: Skilled in making colorful, intricately patterned traditional (Yi) (彝) clothing, which has a distinct ethnic style.
Lisu (傈僳) People: Known for their traditional handicrafts, including hand weaving and the crafting of musical instruments.

Customs and Festivals

Yi (彝) People:
Torch Festival (火把节): Held on the 24th day of the 6th lunar month, where people light torches, sing, and dance to pray for good weather and abundant harvests.
Yi New Year (彝族年): A celebration of the harvest and ancestor worship, typically held in the 10th lunar month.
Dai (傣) People:
Water-Splashing Festival (泼水节): One of the most important festivals for the (Dai) (傣) people, usually held on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month. During this festival, people splash water on each other as a blessing for health and happiness.

Ancient Architecture

Lock Dragon Bridge (锁龙桥): Located in the southern part of the current Xingquan Town (兴泉镇), the bridge was initiated by Zhang Lianxing in the early years of the Guangxu Emperor (光绪帝), with contributions from 374 local families. Construction began in 1879 and completed in 1881. The stone arch bridge remains the largest bridge engineering project in Huaping County (华坪县) in modern times.

New Bridge (新桥): Also known as Dongji Bridge (东济桥), it is located directly east of Daxing Town (大兴镇) and serves as the main route connecting Changchun (长春) and Daxing Street (大兴街). The bridge spans approximately 24 meters, is 4 meters wide, 25 meters long, and 20 meters high, and is a stone arch bridge.

Tourism Resources

Natural Scenery:
Jinsha River (金沙江): (Xingquan Town) (兴泉镇) is located along the Jinsha River, with a well-developed river system, making it a paradise for nature lovers.
Xinwen Reservoir (新文水库): The town has three reservoirs, including the Xinwen, Maidiwan, and Tucheng reservoirs, with a total water storage capacity of 3.97 million cubic meters.
Cultural Experience:
Yi Culture Experience: Visitors can explore Yi villages and immerse themselves in traditional customs and culture.
Dai Culture Experience : Visitors can participate in the Dai Water-Splashing Festival and taste distinctive (Dai) cuisine.

Transportation

External Transportation: To reach Xingquan Town (兴泉镇), visitors must first arrive in Lijiang City (丽江市) and then take transportation to Huaping County (华坪县). Xingquan Town (兴泉镇) is 32 kilometers from Huaping County (华坪县), making it easily accessible.
Internal Transportation: Within the town, transportation relies mainly on roads, and some scenic spots are connected by rural roads. It is recommended to travel by self-driving car or hire a vehicle.
Xingquan Town (兴泉镇) is a destination worth visiting for its unique natural landscapes and rich ethnic culture. Here, visitors can experience the lifestyle of minority groups and enjoy the vibrant ethnic customs.