Dulong Border and Local Markets in Maguan County, Wenshan

Chinese Name: 马关县都龙边境集市
English Name: Dulong Border Market in Maguan County

Overview:

Dulong, a historic town in Maguan County, Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, is situated just 8 kilometers from the Vietnam border. During the Chinese-Vietnamese border conflicts, it was a significant war zone. Every Sunday, the market attracts a diverse crowd including local ethnic groups such as the Miao, Zhuang, Dai, Buyi, Han, as well as Vietnamese Zhuang and Miao people, and traders and tourists from various parts of western China. The market can host nearly 10,000 people at a time, and the vibrant ethnic costumes here are a stunning sight. Traditional Miao clothing, often handmade, can be quite expensive, with a single intricately designed garment costing over 100 yuan.

Local Specialties:

In addition to ethnic attire, the market offers a variety of local specialties. Zhuang-style sticky rice dumplings, which are uniquely crafted like exquisite crafts, are available at a reasonable price of 0.5 yuan each.

The market is renowned for its array of wild mountain delicacies. Wild bamboo shoots are particularly abundant, high-quality, and inexpensive, with large ones priced at just 1-2 yuan. Another highlight is the wild "folded ear" herb, which is both a green food and a traditional Chinese medicine, available at 0.4 yuan for a large bunch. Additionally, other wild green foods like fiddlehead ferns, wild yams, and gray fiddlehead ferns are also on display. The market’s street lined with these mountain delicacies is truly impressive.

Border Trade and Economic Impact:

The Dulong Border Market operates as a border civilian mutual market, a trade arrangement allowing border residents to exchange goods within a specified amount or quantity range at approved points or designated markets within 20 kilometers of China’s land borders.

Located in Dulong Town, Maguan County, the Dulong Port is an important gateway between Yunnan and Vietnam. The border mutual market covers an area of 31 acres and has established a mutual assistance cooperative with over 1,200 members. The market operates primarily through a centralized declaration model where border residents use the "Bianhu Tong" mobile app and facial recognition technology to handle customs declarations through cooperative representatives. Residents can select and purchase market goods from their phones at home.

On July 7, the first batch of mutual market goods selected by eight border residents passed inspection at the Dulong Border Market’s primary market, marking the official commencement of the market’s operations.

Recent Developments:

In recent years, to accelerate the development of port economy, Maguan County has restored general trade and personnel clearance at the port on March 30 and June 9, 2023. The official operation of the Dulong Border Market will further enhance the economic growth of the port, stimulate industrial vitality, and play a significant role in expanding border openness and promoting rural revitalization along the border.