Chinese Name:墨江金马通关（通关镇/通关古镇）
English Name: Tongguan Town and The Ancient Tea Horse Road in Mojiang County, Puer
Tongguan Town
Tongguan Town, under the jurisdiction of Mojiang Hani Autonomous County in Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, is located in the western part of Mojiang Hani Autonomous County. It borders Lianzhun Town to the east, Yutang Town to the south, and Ning’er Hani and Yi Autonomous County across the Ba River to the west. To the north, it adjoins Jingxing Town. The administrative area of Tongguan Town covers 551.4 square kilometers. As of the end of 2019, the registered population of Tongguan Town was 28,467.
The name “Tongguan” signifies a place of access or checkpoint. Historically, Tongguan Town has been a crucial stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, serving as a major hub on the Southern Silk Road. Merchants and caravan traders from the north and south would converge here to obtain customs documents, then travel north to Kunming and beyond to central China, east and southeast to Laos and Thailand via Xishuangbanna, west and northwest to Tibet via Dali and Lijiang, and south to Vietnam and Guangxi via Lixianjiang. The town has earned the reputation of being the “First Pass of the Ancient Tea Horse Road.”
Tongguan Town is an attractive destination year-round. Today, the Kunman Expressway passes through the town, creating a convenient transportation network for visitors. While the clamor of ancient caravan trade has faded, the town’s historic charm remains. The old street of Tongguan, selected as one of Pu’er’s “Top Ten Historical Streets,” is only 1 kilometer long but features a variety of ancient buildings and residences. These buildings, once used as horse trading posts, yamen offices, and temples, bear witness to the rise and fall of the Ancient Tea Horse Road and rapid societal development.
Climbing to the top of the hill behind the old street reveals a grand gold horse sculpture. The “Golden Horse” stands proudly facing east, symbolizing the passage of the Golden Horse and the aspirations of the frontier peoples towards Beijing. From beneath the “Golden Horse,” visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of the ancient town and the surrounding rolling hills.
Administrative Divisions
By the end of 2011, Tongguan Town had 1 community and 16 administrative villages: Xinwu, Yongma, Tuanshan, Dazhai, Qingping, Manbo, Gongguan, Jingba, Biku, Niuku, Mangling, Huotian, Rongping, Anmin, Huilong, Minxing, and Bingbang, with a total of 259 village (community) groups.
As of June 2020, Tongguan Town consists of 1 community and 16 administrative villages: Xinwu Community, Yongma Village, Tuanshan Village, Dazhai Village, Qingping Village, Manbo Village, Gongguan Village, Jingba Village (rural community), Biku Village, Niuku Village, Mangling Village, Huotian Village, Rongping Village, Anmin Village, Huilong Village, Minxing Village, and Bingbang Village. The town’s government is based in Xinwu Community.
Historical Significance
Tongguan Town, located in the southwest of Mojiang County, is 44 kilometers from the county seat and serves as a central hub for traffic, information, and trade. It was an important stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road and a key node on the Kunming to Jinghong route of the Kunman Highway. Historically, Tongguan was a vital station on the Ancient Tea Horse Road and was known as “Tongguan Post” or “First Pass of the Ancient Tea Horse Road” during the Qing Dynasty, where it served both as a pass and a checkpoint.
The Ancient Tea Horse Road was not only a corridor for economic trade but also an essential route for transmitting urgent documents to the Yunnan frontier from the central government. Tongguan was a relay station for these documents. To accommodate the needs of the couriers, local officials created a local specialty dish, the “Yellow Braised Chicken,” which became popular in southwestern Yunnan centuries ago.
The Ancient Tea Horse Road, which stretches over 60 kilometers within Tongguan, was a bustling route for caravans, bringing the culture of central China and the legacy of Pu’er tea. This brought prosperity and renown to Tongguan.
The town features a variety of historical sites. The old street, once a bustling commercial area with horse trading posts, yamen offices, and temples, is a testament to the area’s historical significance.
Local Attractions
The town boasts several temples. The Jin Temple in Juejiba is a Ming-style wooden structure, with distinct altars for celestial bodies. The Wu Temple, located at the current site of the Tongguan Primary School, features a complex of buildings, including a drama stage from the early Republican period. It honors the god of war and the god of wealth.
The Wen Temple, located on the Ailao Mountains, was constructed under Zhang Tianfa’s initiative in the Qianlong period. It includes the Kui Xing Building and the Wen Chang Palace, known for its exquisite craftsmanship and historical significance. The temple complex, surrounded by lush forests, offers a serene and scenic environment.
Travel Tips
- Transportation: Whether driving or using public transport such as tour buses or flights, Tongguan Town is easily accessible. From Kunming, taking the Kunman Expressway to Xishuangbanna and stopping at Tongguan Town for a rest and meal is a convenient option. Simply exit the highway at the “Tongguan” exit and drive 300 meters to reach the town.
- Accommodation: The ancient town offers various lodging options, including farm stays, guesthouses, and hotels, at affordable prices.
- Dining: The signature “Tongguan Yellow Braised Chicken” is renowned for its unique flavor and is a must-try local dish. The town has around 17 restaurants specializing in this dish, providing good value for money. While waiting for your meal, you can explore the historic streets and buildings.
Chinese Name:墨江县他郎八景
English Name: 8 Wonders of Mojiang County, Puer
Puer 8 Wonders in Mojiang County travel guide introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, weather, accommodation, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of 8 Wonders in Puer.
Chinese Name:宁洱县谦岗风雨桥
English Name: Qiangang Wind and Rain Bridge in Ninger County, Puer
Puer Qiangang Wind and Rain Bridge in Ninger County travel guide introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, weather, accommodation, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of Qiangang Wind and Rain Bridge in Puer.
Chinese Name:宁洱县天壁山
English Name: Tianbi Mountain in Ninger County, Puer
Puer Tianbi Mountain in Ninger County travel guide introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, weather, accommodation, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of Tianbi Mountain in Puer.
Chinese Name:宁洱县茶源广场
English Name: The Square of Tea Origin in Ninger County, Puer
Cha Yuan Square was established in 2005 as a commemorative project for the 20th anniversary of the founding of Pu’er Hani and Yi Autonomous County (now Ning’er County). The square, which spans 82 acres, is the largest urban square in Pu’er City. It is centered around the culture of Pu’er tea and embodies the spirit of “Cultural Ning’er, Charming Tea Town, Pu’er Tea Capital.”
Qi Zi Bing Square
On the east side of the square is a small circular plaza known as “Qi Zi Bing Square” because it resembles the shape of a seven-pieces tea cake. This plaza features stone sculptures representing various forms of Pu’er tea, including cake tea, brick tea, square tea, tuo tea, and mushroom tea. Traditionally, Pu’er tea has been compressed for convenience in measurement, trade, and long-distance transportation.
“Tea’s Source, Road’s Beginning” Monument
To the left of the square is the permanent site of the Yunnan Pu’er Tea Association. In front of the association is the “Tea’s Source, Road’s Beginning” monument, also known as the “Tea Horse Road Zero Kilometer Monument.” It symbolizes the starting point of the Tea Horse Road, with the five renowned Tea Horse Roads extending from here and spreading Pu’er tea worldwide. This monument was established jointly by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Culture, the Yunnan Provincial Department of Transportation, and the Yunnan Tea Horse Road Research Association on April 9, 2006, the founding date of the Yunnan Pu’er Tea Association.
Tribute Tea Return Monument
The Tribute Tea Return Monument is located on the northern side of Cha Yuan Square. It measures 3.6 meters in both length and width and stands 4.6 meters tall, facing the Tea Horse Road Zero Kilometer Monument. It commemorates the return of the century-old tribute tea, “Wan Shou Long Tuan,” stored in the Palace Museum, to Ning’er in 2007.
Pu’er Prefecture City Map
In the 7th year of Yongzheng (1729 AD), Pu’er Prefecture built a city wall with bricks outside and earth inside, replacing the earlier earth wall. By the 18th year of Qianlong (1753 AD), the wall was rebuilt entirely with bricks. The ancient city included over 70 buildings such as official offices, temples, pavilions, guild halls, and educational institutions, and had four city gates: East Gate (“Chaoyang”), South Gate (“Huaiyuan”), West Gate (“Xuanwu”), and North Gate (“Gongji”). As a major economic, political, cultural, and military center in southern Yunnan, Pu’er Prefecture was bustling with merchants and activities. The city was likened to a large book, with Phoenix Mountain to the north resembling a phoenix spreading its wings. The ancient city also resembled a horse saddle, reflecting its deep connection with horse caravans and tea. Unfortunately, after liberation, the city walls fell into disrepair and were demolished in 1951 to make way for the Ring City Road. The grand Pu’er city walls had stood for 222 years. The back of the city map features the “Pu’er Prefecture Ode” written by Ning’er scholars.
Main Sculpture
The main sculpture in Cha Yuan Square is circular, symbolizing unity. The top of the sculpture features a flourishing ancient tea tree and tea-picking figures, representing the unity and prosperity of the various ethnic groups in Ning’er County. It also signifies that Ning’er is the birthplace of Pu’er tea and the origin of the Tea Horse Road. The circular sculpture is divided into four panels, depicting tea planting, processing, tasting, and tribute. It reflects how the people of Ning’er have lived in harmony with tea throughout history, using it to build friendships and make tributes. The horse heads in the sculpture symbolize Ning’er as the source of Pu’er tea, carrying hope to the world.
Chinese Name:普洱茶城观景台
English Name: The View Point of Puer City
Puer View Point of Puer City in Simao District travel guide introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, weather, accommodation, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of View Point of Puer City in Puer.
Chinese Name:普洱市云仙乡
English Name: Yunxian Town Scenic Area in Simao District, Puer
Puer Yunxian Town Scenic Area in Simao District travel guide introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, weather, accommodation, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of Yunxian Town Scenic Area in Puer.
Chinese Name:普洱市倒生根公园
English Name: Daoshenggen Banyan Tree Park in Simao District, Puer
Puer Daoshenggen Banyan Tree Park in Simao District travel guide introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, weather, accommodation, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of Daoshenggen Banyan Tree Park in Puer.
Plan your Puer Ethnic Villages Tour to Puer? Visit Longlong Village in Simao District, Puer which is one of the most fascinating ethnic villages in Puer. Explore the local folk ethnic culture including History, Food and Dining, Clothing, Customs and Traditions, Architecture, Festivals, Crafts, Religion, Language of local ethnic people in Longlong Village in Simao District, Puer.
Chinese Name:普洱市竜竜村
English Name: Longlong Village in Simao District, Puer
Chinese Name:澜沧整控江摩崖
English Name: Zhengkongjiang Cliff Inscriptions in Lancang County, Puer
Puer Zhengkongjiang Cliff Inscriptions in Lancang County travel guide introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, weather, accommodation, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of Zhengkongjiang Cliff Inscriptions in Puer.
Chinese Name:江城县勐烈湖湿地公园
English Name: Mengliehu Lake Wetland in Jiangcheng County, Puer
Chinese Name:孟连县中城佛寺
English Name: Zhongcheng Temple in Menglian County, Puer
Puer Zhongcheng Temple in Menglian County travel guide introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The best time to visit, How to Get there, the highlights, facts, history, photos, weather, accommodation, visiting routes, travel tips, tour maps of Zhongcheng Temple in Puer.
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