Dazhai Village of Longpeng Town in Shiping County, Honghe Prefecture

? Location & Geography

Dazhai Village (大寨村) is under the administration of Bawo Village Committee (巴窝村委会), Longpeng Town (龙朋镇), Shiping County, Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The village lies about 10 km from the town government seat, with a total land area of 2.16 square kilometers.

• Altitude: 1,781 meters

• Climate: Subtropical monsoon, with an average annual temperature of 20℃ and annual rainfall of 900 mm

• Land Use: 776.65 acres of farmland (about 1 acre per person), 2,303 acres of forest land, and 156 acres of water bodies, including 80 acres for aquaculture. This creates a balanced “mountain–field–water” ecological system ideal for rice, flue-cured tobacco, and fruit cultivation.

? Population & Administration

• Demographics: The registered population is 801, distributed in 2 village groups and 242 households. The labor force numbers 578, with 99% engaged in primary industries.

• Ethnic Composition: Predominantly Han, with integration of Yi cultural influences, reflecting multi-ethnic coexistence.

• Infrastructure:

  • Full access to water, electricity, roads, television, and telephone (“Five Connections”)

  • 100% road hardening rate

  • 47% of households use solar energy (99 households), while 22.5% have biogas systems (54 households).

? Economy & Industry

• Agriculture First:

  • Crops: Rice and flue-cured tobacco are staple crops, complemented by pears, bayberries, and peaches.

  • In 2009, the village’s total income reached 3.68 million yuan, with planting accounting for 82%.

• Specialty Industries:

  • Bayberry cultivation has developed on a large scale, with the Waiyun Bayberry Base (外云杨梅种植基地) and family-run orchards such as Chen Rong Orchard and Chaoying Orchard.

  • 80 acres of aquaculture provide additional diversification.

• Upgrading & Branding:

  • Part of Longpeng Town’s High-Standard Farmland Construction Project (Bawo Zone), promoting intensive land use.

  • Integrated into the regional “Shiping Bayberry (石屏杨梅)” brand, recognized as a national “Specialty Agricultural Product,” further extending the value chain.

?️ Culture & Community Life

• Festivals & Customs: Influenced by Yi traditions, with likely continuation of the Fire Torch Festival (火把节). Nearby villages are known for intangible cultural heritage such as the Yanhe Dance (烟盒舞) and Haicaiqiang Singing (海菜腔).

• Community Services: The village has affordable convenience shops for daily needs; medical and educational services are accessed at the township level.

• Ecological Recognition: Neighboring Qingshuitang Village (清水塘村) has been designated as a provincial-level forest village, reflecting the area’s ecological strength.

? Travel Experience

• Best Season: May–July for the bayberry harvest season, offering orchard self-picking experiences.

• Activities:

  • Participate in rice or tobacco planting, or try hands-on aquaculture.

  • Visit surrounding villages for cultural exploration, such as Sanjia Village (三家村) for bamboo crafts and Longpeng Village (龙朋村) for historic architecture, including the Former Residence of Li Hengsheng (李恒升故居).

?️ Transportation

• Internal Access: Village roads are cement-paved with hardened side routes, though some sections are best suited for off-road vehicles.

• External Connectivity: The planned Tonghai–Longpeng Expressway (通海–龙朋高速) (construction currently paused as of 2024) will significantly improve future accessibility.