Zhaotong Red Apple is a famous product of Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, and it is a nationally recognized agricultural product with a geographical indication.

Historical Background

The cultivation of Zhaotong apples dates back to 1926, during the 15th year of the Republic of China (民国十五年), when a Frenchman, Jia Haiyi (贾海义), introduced the apple to China from Europe. He initially planted it in Kunming and later brought it to Zhaotong. Over the years, there were further introductions: one in 1938 (the 27th year of the Republic of China), when Long Tifang (陇体芳) brought the apples to Yiliang; and another in 1942 (the 31st year of the Republic of China), when Wu Jingyi (吴敬漪) or Li Zhongju (李仲举) introduced them to Zhaoyang District, specifically planting them in the Li family estate in Sanyu Township, where Wu Jingyi participated in the management.

Varieties and Characteristics

The main varieties of Zhaotong apples include Jinshuai (金帅) and Red Fuji (红富士). The Fuji series, which has been adapted to the region, is particularly well-suited to Zhaoyang, yielding high quantities, excellent taste, good storage capacity, high sugar content, and a delightful flavor. Over time, these varieties have gradually replaced the local apple types. Zhaotong apples contain 113 types of aromatic compounds, including esters, alcohols, heterocycles, ketones, and phenyl derivatives, which contribute to their early ripening, sweet flavor, strong aroma, and crisp texture.

Geographical Indication Registration

On November 15, 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China approved the “Zhaotong Apple” for geographical indication protection.

Product Characteristics

• Appearance: Zhaotong apples are large, with a diameter of over 65mm at their widest point. The shape is either flat-rounded or round, and the fruit is typically uniform with a smooth skin. The red varieties have a bright red color, with 70% of the fruit shoulder covered in color. The fruit has a rich fragrance and maintains its characteristic color and aroma. There should be no defects like bruising, pesticide damage, sunburn, or pest damage on the apples.

• Quality: Zhaotong apples are known for their high sugar content, crisp texture, and fine flavor. Their firmness is ≥5.0 (kg/square cm), soluble solids content ≥15.0%, sugar content ≥13.0%, and titratable acid ≤0.5%. These apples are considered to be of superior quality compared to similar fruits.

Origin and Environmental Factors

Location and Geography

Zhaoyang District is located at the northeastern end of the Wumeng Mountain range, part of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It is positioned at the junction of Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan provinces. To the east, it borders Weining County (威宁县) in Guizhou Province; to the south, it adjoins Ludian County (鲁甸县); to the west, it is separated by the Niulan River (牛栏江) and Jinsha River (金沙江), facing Qiaojia County (巧家县) and Jin’yang County (金阳县) in Sichuan Province. To the northwest, it shares borders with Yongshan (永善), Daguan (大关), and Yiliang (彝良) counties.

Topography and Soil

Zhaoyang District lies in the northeastern edge of the central Yunnan basin, with complex terrain formed by intersecting mountains and narrow valleys carved by rivers such as the Jinsha River, Niulan River, Sanyu River, and Pan River. The district’s highest point is Kecheliangzi in Dashanbao Township (大山包乡), at an altitude of 3364 meters, while the lowest point is Maopo in Chede Village, Dazhaizi Township (大寨子乡车德村), at an altitude of 480 meters, creating a relative height difference of 2884 meters. The area’s geology is mainly composed of limestone, sandstone, basalt, and shale, resulting in soils like yellow soil, yellow-red soil, red soil, and brown soil.

Hydrology

All the rivers in Zhaoyang District are part of the upper Jinsha River system. The main rivers include the Jinsha River, Niulan River, Sanyu River, Zhaolu River (昭鲁河), Lengshui River (冷水河), and Pan River. There are 18 reservoirs with a capacity of over 1 million cubic meters, with the Yudong Reservoir (渔洞水库) being the largest and most effective. The district’s water resources total 778 million cubic meters, with surface water accounting for 543.4 million cubic meters and groundwater resources totaling 234.6 million cubic meters. The per capita water resource allocation is 1535 cubic meters per person.

Climate

The climate of Zhaoyang District is influenced by monsoonal circulation and features a subtropical climate with temperate characteristics, showing the typical vertical climatic features of the region. The average annual temperature is 11.7°C, and the growing season for apples is characterized by favorable temperatures ranging from 15°C to 23°C during flowering, 20°C to 25°C during bud differentiation, and about 25°C during fruit development. The conditions of Zhaoyang are highly suitable for apple cultivation, with high day-time nutrient accumulation and lower night-time consumption, which leads to increased sugar, acid, and vitamin content, contributing to the apples’ excellent flavor and crisp texture.

Historical Origins

In the 15th year of the Republic of China (1926), a Frenchman named Jia Haiyi (贾海义), who was working on the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, introduced apples from Europe to Kunming. These apples were later brought to Zhaotong (昭通).

In the early 1970s, Zhaotong began selecting new apple varieties through bud selection. The variety “Marshal 180” was one of the more representative results of this selection process. In 1978, it was awarded first place at the Yunnan Province Bud Selection Appraisal Meeting. In 1984, the Zhaotong Horticultural Society officially named it “Zhao Jin 108” (昭锦108).

In the early 1980s, the Yunnan Provincial Committee, the Provincial Government, and the Zhaotong local government paid great attention to the development of the apple industry. They began introducing Fuji color-enhanced apple varieties. After experimental planting, cultivation, selection, and domestication, Fuji series apples such as “2001,” “Pian Hong Fuji” (片红富士), and “Tiao Hong Fuji” (条红富士) were promoted in towns like Yongfeng (永丰), Saye (洒渔), Leju (乐居), and Beizha (北闸), which were suitable for the climate and geographical conditions of Zhaotong.

In 1989, the Ministry of Agriculture established a 2,000-acre high-quality Red Fuji apple production base in Zhaotong (now Zhaoyang District). This development greatly boosted the growth of the apple industry in Zhaoyang District.

At the end of 1975, the Central Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Trade, and the National Supply and Marketing Cooperative held a meeting in Tongchuan City, Shaanxi Province, to officially approve Zhaotong as a national apple export base county.

In 2023, Zhaotong had built seven apple sorting and processing cold chain logistics parks, with 308 controlled-atmosphere storage facilities. Several deep-processing enterprises were introduced, including those producing apple juice, apple crisps, and apple distilled spirits.

Production Overview

In 2010, the area planted with Zhaotong apples reached 215,000 acres, yielding 400,000 tons.

By 2017, the planting area had expanded to 400,000 acres, with a production of 500,000 tons and a production value of 2.75 billion RMB. Compared to 2010, the planting area, output, and production value increased by 77.8%, 117.4%, and 439.2%, respectively. There was one town with more than 100,000 acres of apple cultivation, six towns with more than 20,000 acres, and 120,000 apple farmers. Over 50,000 households earned more than 10,000 RMB from apples, with each apple-growing household increasing their income by 1,680 RMB. This has effectively helped 300,000 apple farmers escape poverty and become prosperous.

By 2018, Zhaotong apples had grown from the initial 100 seedlings to 450,000 acres of planting area, producing 600,000 tons of apples, with a total output value of 5.7 billion RMB. There were 120,000 apple farmers in the city, and 300,000 people benefitted from the apple industry. In addition, more than 20 enterprises had concentrated land leasing of over 50,000 acres and established more than 20 standardized demonstration apple orchards and estates.

In 2023, the planting area of Zhaotong apples remained stable at over 850,000 acres, with a total output of 1.1 million tons and a comprehensive output value of 13 billion RMB. The apple industry covered 138,000 apple farmers, employing 527,000 people.

By 2024, Zhaotong apples achieved an output of 1.3 million tons with a total output value of 15 billion RMB.

Product Honors

Zhaotong apples have won the title of “High-Quality Fruit of Yunnan Province” and a silver medal at the second National Agricultural Expo.

In 1989, Zhaotong was listed by the Ministry of Agriculture as a high-quality apple production base in southern China.

In 1996, Zhaotong was designated by Yunnan Province as a provincial high-quality apple production base.

On November 15, 2010, the Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China approved the implementation of geographical indication protection for “Zhaotong Apple.”

On November 15, 2019, Zhaotong apples were included in the China Agricultural Brand Directory.

On December 22, 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs’ Agricultural Product Quality Safety Center announced that Zhaotong apples were included in the “2021 Third Batch National Famous and Special Agricultural Products Directory.”

In October 2022, Zhaotong apples were selected for the 2022 Agricultural Brand Premium Cultivation Plan.

On August 9, 2023, the China Geographical Marking Festival Organizing Committee, in collaboration with “Brand Observation” magazine, published the “National Geographical Indication Apple Brand Value Ranking.” Zhaotong apples ranked third with a brand value of 22.673 billion RMB, among 27 apple brands nationwide.

Geographic Indication

Area of Protection

The main production area for Zhaotong Apples (昭通苹果) is concentrated in the 11 towns and villages of Zhaoyang District, including Longquan (龙泉), Yongfeng (永丰), Taiping (太平), Xiaolongdong (小龙洞), Jiupu (旧圃), Beizha (北闸), Leju (乐居), Sujiayuan (苏家院), Sayu (洒渔), Shouwang (守望), and Bugga (布嘎). The defined boundaries are: Eastern Longitude 103°08′36″—103°56′17″, and Northern Latitude 27°07′03″—27°39′14″.

Quality and Technical Requirements

1. Orchard Establishment

(1) Variety Selection

The primary varieties selected based on market demand and local natural conditions are Red Fuji (红富士) and Zhaojin (昭锦, also known as 108).

(2) Seedling Selection

For planting, dwarfing rootstocks like the Chinese hickory and hawthorn (楸子, 怀菜海棠) are used as intermediate dwarfing rootstocks, such as M26, M7, and MM106, as well as standard-sized, non-toxic seedlings. Both types of seedlings must meet the national first-class standards for apple seedlings.

(3) Planting Density

For dwarf orchards, the planting distance is 3×3.5 meters; for standard orchards, the distance is 3.5×4.5 meters. Planting is primarily done in autumn, from mid-September to early October.

(4) Planting Techniques

Planting holes of 1 cubic meter are dug. The bottom layer is filled with straw and other organic materials. 25-30 kg of well-rotted organic fertilizer is placed in the middle of the hole, followed by a layer of topsoil. After watering to settle the soil, the seedlings are placed in the hole. The seedlings are pruned, soaked, and dipped in mud. The depth of planting for dwarfing intermediate rootstocks is such that two-thirds or the entire rootstock should be buried. For standard trees, the soil mark from the nursery should be level with the ground.

(5) Post-planting Management

After planting, the main stem should be defined. Autumn-planted seedlings are buried before the ground freezes. In the spring, after the soil thaws, the covering soil is removed, and the seedlings are carefully straightened and firmed.

2. Cultivation Management Techniques

(1) Soil, Fertilizer, and Water Management

• Soil Preparation: This involves both expanding the planting holes and deep tilling the entire orchard. The soil is mixed with organic fertilizers, and water is added to ensure that roots are in close contact with the soil.

• Middle Cultivation: This is done after rain or irrigation to keep the soil loose, usually 4 times per year. In the rainy season, ridges should be leveled, and weeds can be controlled.

• Fertilization:

  • Base Fertilization: Organic fertilizer is the primary source, with small amounts of quick-release nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers. Fertilization is based on a standard of applying 1.5-2.0 kg of high-quality organic fertilizer for every kilogram of apple produced.

  • Top Dressing: The top dressing follows the principles of appropriate amount, shallow application, and uniform distribution. The two main periods for fertilization are after soil thawing and before flowering and after fruit enlargement.

  • Foliar Fertilization: This occurs 2-3 times annually, mainly for supplying phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and trace elements such as boron, iron, and manganese.

(2) Water Management

Watering is based on the water requirements of apple trees. The orchards in Zhaoyang (昭阳) should be watered 2-3 times annually, particularly during the budding, young fruit enlargement, and post-harvest periods. Watering should ensure the soil is uniformly moist around the root zone.

(3) Shaping and Pruning

Standard tree shapes for orchards with less than 56 trees per mu (亩) should use the “improved spindle” model, where the central stem is 70–80 cm high, and the tree height is around 3.5 meters, with the crown spread being 3/4 of the row distance. For orchards with more than 64 trees per mu, a “tall spindle” shape is recommended.

3. Flower and Fruit Management

Production Targets:

The target for single-tree production is 30–45 kg, with an average fruit weight of over 250 grams. The fruit shape index should be 0.88, and over 70% of the fruit should be fully red. The soluble solid content is around 16%.

Pollination and Fruit Set:

• Apples, like most varieties, have low self-pollination rates. Therefore, cross-pollinating varieties with strong pollen production should be selected, and beekeeping is encouraged. During the flowering period, spraying a 3% borax solution along with 0.1% urea and 1% sucrose can enhance fruit set.

Pruning Techniques:

• Spring Pruning (March to early April): This includes the removal of excess buds, thinning out weak flower shoots, and pruning long fruit-bearing branches.

• Summer Pruning (May–July): This includes removing growing tips, twisting new shoots, and using branch shaping to control excess growth and improve flowering.

• Autumn Pruning (August–September): The focus is on managing tree height and removing weak or redundant branches to ensure proper light exposure and air circulation.

• Winter Pruning (January–February): Low branches are removed, and the crown is adjusted to maintain desired tree shape.

Zhaotong Red Apple (昭通苹果) is a high-quality fruit that is well-suited for the growing conditions of Zhaoyang (昭阳) and surrounding areas. The technical management and cultivation practices, from tree planting to fruit management, ensure that the apples meet the highest standards for taste, quality, and appearance.

Shuifu Bacon in Zhaotong

Fried Preserve Meat with Bracken in Zhaotong

Weixin Sour Fish in Zhaotong

Wuliang Mountain

Wuliang Mountain is located in the western climate zone of China. It is mainly affected by the seasonal alternation of the southwestern monsoon of the Indian Ocean and the south branch of the westerly jet. Its climate is characterized by abundant sunshine, abundant heat, small annual temperature difference, large daily temperature difference, and abundant rainfall. The wet season and dry season are obvious, and the seasons are not divided. Anding Township, Manwan Town, Linjie Township and Jinping Town around Wuliang Mountain are the main tea-producing towns in Jingdong County.

Wuliang Mountain, also known as Dazhaizi Mountain and historically as Mengle Mountain, is named “Wuliang” (which means “limitless”) because of its towering, boundless presence. It is located in the southwestern part of Yunnan Province, China, and is part of the western branch of the Yunling Range. It serves as the watershed between the Chuanhe River to the east and the Lancang River to the west. The mountain range runs in a northwest-southeast direction, starting from Nanjiang in the northwest and extending through Jingdong, Zhenyuan, Jinggu, Ning’er, Simao District, and Jiangcheng to the ancient Six Famous Tea Mountains in Xishuangbanna. The main peak, Maotou Mountain, has an elevation of 3306 meters.

The Wuliang Mountain system runs from north to south. The main ridge is located within the territories of Nanjiang and Jingdong counties. The secondary ridges are divided by the Mengtong River at its source in the Dongguolin area. The eastern ridge extends through Zhenyuan, Jinggu, Ning’er, Pu’er, Jiangcheng, and reaches the ancient Six Famous Tea Mountains in Xishuangbanna. The western ridge is shorter, including the Dazhaoshan Town in Jingdong, Zhenyuan’s Zhentai Township and Anban Town on the west bank of Mengtong River, and parts of Jinggu’s Jinggu Township, Minle Town, and Bian Township.

Wuliang Mountain is home to thousands of ancient tea trees, mostly distributed in natural villages within the village committees of Gude, Xinzheng, Dean, Kebo, Guangming, and Baotai. These ancient tea trees are mostly cultivated, with both wild and cultivated types found in the natural villages of Mubanqing in Xinzheng Village Committee and Shanhuai in Dean Village Committee.

Mountain tea is present around the main ridge and its secondary ridges of Wuliang Mountain. The mountain tea of the main ridge is mainly distributed in various townships of Nanjiang and Jingdong counties, while the mountain tea of the secondary ridges is more widespread, including most townships in Zhenyuan, Jinggu, Ning’er, Simao District, Jinghong, Jiangcheng, and Mengla. The famous Six Famous Tea Mountains cover the areas of Jinghong and Mengla counties.

Wuliang Ancient Tea Mountain

In Jingdong County, there are 13 tea towns (towns), 102 village committees, and 802 villager groups in the county. Among them, there are 32,744.79 mu that have covered the Ancient Tea Tree from 50 to 100 years. There are 4,394.13 mu over 100 years. According to legend, Wuliang Mountain planted tea trees began in the Three Kingdoms period. Tea species and cultivation techniques were taught by Zhu Geliang during his south expedition. Until the Nanzhao period in the Tang Dynasty, Wuliang Mountain was always the cultivation and utilization of tea trees by the Yi people. According to the local Yi people passed down from generation to generation, they have moved to Wuliang Mountain for 57 generations. Wuliang Ancient Tea Mountain has preserved many precious ancient tea tree resources to date.

List of Tea Plantations along Wuliang Mountain Ranges
Jingdong County(景东县)
Bangwai Ancient Tea Garden(景东县锦屏镇邦崴村古茶树)
Jingdong Tea
Jingdong County is located in the southwestern part of Yunnan Province, with a span of 23°56’~24°29′ north latitude. The Chuanhe River flows from the northwest of Anding border to the southeast and it goes through the county. With the Chuanhe River as the boundary, the west is the Wuliang Mountains, and the east is the Ailao Mountain. Jingdong has a long history of producing tea. In the Tang Dynasty, Fan Chuo’s “Man Shu” said that “Tea comes from Yingsheng City Jiezhu Mountain” Yinsheng refers to the officer of Nanzhao State at that time, and its rule was in Jingdong County. The ancient tea gardens, ancient tea trees and tea-horse roads in Jingdong fully explain that Jingdong is ancient. The tea gardens in Jingdong County are all in the two mountains of Wuliang Mountain and Ailao Mountain. The Jingdong County is between two mountains.
Nanjian County(南涧县)

History and Development

In the early 1950s, many large tea trees with diameter of  morn than 30 cm and tree height of 3-5 meters were found everywhere in the Wuliang Mountain. For thousands of years, the Yi people protected and utilized the tea trees of Wuliang Mountain, and they continued to be planted and transformed, and to make the production of Wuliangshan tea continue to develop. In the Qing Dynasty, Wuliang Mountain Tea Garden covers an area of ​​more than 100,000 mu. Each year, it produces more than 3,000 tons of dried tea. It is processed locally and sent to Bohai and Yiwu to be processed into various kinds of Pu’er pressed tea, which are sold at home and abroad. At the end of the Qing Dynasty and the early Republic of China, due to the social unrest, poor sales, heavy taxes and other factors, the six major tea mountains in Jiangbei gradually declined. At the same time, the Wuliang Mountain tea area along the Lancang River Basin gradually became the center of Pu’er tea. Among them, the status of Pu’er Wuliang Tea Mountain is increasingly prominent. After the tea is produced into various types of pressed tea, it is sold to Tibet through Myanmar, India and other countries, or sold to South Indian Ocean through Myanmar and Thailand.

Tea plantation in Wuliang Mountain

Jingdong Wuliang Mountain is the most suitable place for planting tea. The natural ecology of tea is the first. The Wuliang Mountain is located southward of the latitude, near the north of the Tropic of Cancer, and belongs to the south subtropical monsoon climate. The mountains are high and the valleys are deep, the peaks are stacked, the rivers are vertical and horizontal, the slopes are different, the altitude difference is very wide, the landform is complex, and the vertical change of the climate is transparant. The rainfall is concentrated, the wet season and dry season are clear, the rain season and hot season are in the same season, the dry season and cool season are synchronized, there is no obvious winter, the cold wave has a weak influence, the annual temperature difference is large, and the characteristics of continental climate and maritime climate are combined. In the long geological cycle, the Lower Paleozoic Wuliang Mountain Group is a typical mountainous landform, which forms a pinnate water system with the Chuanhe River and the Lancang “Oriental Danube River”.

The highest elevation of Wuliang Mountain is 3,371 meters and the lowest is 795 meters. From the lowest point of the valley to the highest point of the mountain, the horizontal distance is 61 kilometers, the relative height difference is 2575 meters, and the average drop is 41 meters per kilometer. More prominent is the east slope of Wuliang Mountain, from the highest point of Wuliang Mountain to the intersection of Jvhe River and Chuanhe River at an altitude of 1151 meters. The straight line distance is 15 kilometers, the relative height difference is 2219 meters, and the average drop is 147 meters per kilometer. The annual average temperature is 18.3 degrees, the rainfall is 1086.7 mm, the annual average evaporation is 1743.3 mm, the annual sunshine is 2131.6 hours, and the annual average frost period is 12 days. It is the most suitable place for growing tea.

The characteristics of Wuliang Mountain ancient tea tree 

First, the Wuliang Mountaintea tree  evolved from wild type and natural hybrid to modern group varieties. Each of the evolved tea trees can find the corresponding tea tree plants. The tea tree germplasm resources are very rich, and it is a natural museum of the evolution of breed resources.

Second, the wild tea tree community in Wuliang Mountain has a large distribution area, and wild tea trees can be found on the belt between 1600 and 2800 meters above sea level. The distribution is high and the base is between 1.5 and 2.9 meters. Wild big tea trees can be seen everywhere, which proves that Wuliang Mountain is a strong evidence of the birthplace of tea trees in the world.

The third is the artificially cultivated large tea tree, which has a wide distribution and a large number of plants. The ancient tea trees with a diameter of more than 0.3 meters can be found in 80% of the villages in Jingdong. There are hundreds of plants and dozens of them are very common. 

How to Get to Jingdong County

1. By Air

In recent years, the state has increased its investment in infrastructure construction, especially the civil aviation industry, which has created a very good policy environment for the construction of Jingdong Airport. At present, Jingdong Airport is under planning.

2. By Train

Pu’er Railway Station is the middle station of the Yumo Railway under construction and an important station for the Laos section of the Trans-Asian Railway. It is expected to be put into use by 2020.

3. By Long-distance Bus

There is the Passenger Station in Jingdong County for people to get in.

4.Jingdong– Wuliang Ancient Tea Mountain

Take the taxi or rent a car to go to the Wuliang Ancient Tea Mountain.

Where to Stay in Jingdong County

Jingdong County is a county under the jurisdiction of Pu’er City, Yunnan Province, China. There are many hotels around Jingdong County. Yunnan Exploration will provide the best hotels for you. The recommended hotels as follows:

1. Pu’er Jingdong Kaihong Hotel(普洱景东凯宏公寓)

Add: No. 25 Jingchuan Road, Jingdong, Pu’er (普洱景东景川路25号)
Tel: 0879-6226968

2. Lantian Hotel(蓝天酒店)

Add: No. 2 Yuping Road, Jingdong, Pu’er(普洱景东玉屏路2号)
Tel: 0879-6229999

3. Jnifeng Grand Hotel(金丰大酒店)

Add: No. 74 Lingyun Road, Jingdong, Pu’er(普洱景东凌云路74号)
Tel: 0879-6222266

4. Jingdong Huangma Hotel(景东皇马酒店)

Add: No. 36 Lingyun Road, Jingdong(景东凌云路36号)
Tel: 0879-6227266/13628795303

5. Jingdong Jinghao Hotel(景东景豪大酒店)

Add: Next to Jingtai Daqiao, jinping Town, Jingdong(景东 锦屏镇景太大桥旁)
Tel: 0879-3083222

6. Jingdong Nanyanghe Hotel(景东南羊河酒店)

Add: No. 86 Lingyun Road, Jingdong
Tel: 0879-6220933

Best Time to Visit

It is suitable to visit Jingdong County all year round. Like many other cities in Yunnan, Jingdong is a place where the seasons are like spring. There is no cold, no heat, warm and humid, especially suitable for human habitation, so you can go to Jingdong at any time.

Recommended Tour

When you traveling Pu’er, Jingdong County is a good place to be put on your list. It can be joined in whatever your Pu’er tour or Yunnan Tour.

11 Days Yunnan Ancient Tea-Horse Road Tour with Puer and XishuangBanna Tea Culture Exploration

14 Days Southwest Yunnan Tea Culture Tour from Xishuangbanna to Puer and Lincang

Travel Tips

1.There are many ethnic minorities living here, such as Lahu, Hani, Wa and Yi. Varied customs make it a colorful city. Eating habits, ceremonies, costumes and folk legends can all be a strong attraction for people who are visiting. In addition, the city is the hometown of the well known Puer Tea, and the local people have diversified ways of handling tea, such as bamboo tube tea, cold tea dish, earth-pot tea and baked tea; all of which you should try.

2.Enjoying a plateau monsoon climate at low latitude, the region is affected by the Indian Ocean and the Bay of Bengal. Therefore, the main features of its weather are mildness and humidity without strong winds.

3.Special Local Products: Puer Tea, bamboo shoot, edible fungi, purple rice, mango.　

The news was updated on July 30, 2019.

The 2019 Tengchong Beautiful Country Marathon of Flower Seas kicked off in Jietou township, western Yunnan’s Tengchong city on July 28.

It was reportedly carried out on a professional runway designed specifically for marathoners, and participants needed to run through several picturesque flower gardens before reaching the finish line.  

With a total investment of 250 million yuan, the municipal government hopes to bring the athletes a brand new running experience, and popularize Tengchong among marathon lovers in the meantime. 

Source from http://english.yunnan.cn/html/2019/latestnews_0730/17366.html

Shizhong Temple

Shizhong Temple(石钟寺) is one of the oldest temples of Jizu Mountain. It was built in Tang Dynasty and repaired in Yongle Period and Zhengtong Period of Ming Dynasty. There stand the plum blossom trees of Yuan and cypresses of Song in font of the temple, also the giant reclining Buddha behind the temple. Therefor, it is also called as the Wofo Temple(卧佛寺)(Reclining Buddha Temple). Temple enjoys the cliff painting and statues of Tang and Song dynasties, which are the important materials of the history of Buddhism in Yunnan Province.

Legend

It was said that the reclining Buddha was a “living Buddha” of Tibet, trekking for thousands of miles, and sincerely coming to the mountains for pilgrimage.

After traveling around Jizu Mountain, his wish came true. He rested beneath the eaves of temple and slept eternally never to wake up. According to his posture, people carved the reclining statue and put the crutch besides him. After that, many Tibetan people hike for thousands miles to worship the reclining Buddha. These Tibetan people will play their instruments and dance for the Buddha.

Useful Travel Tips

When the weather is fine in Dali, the sunshine is heated, and ultraviolet light is strong. People should avoid direct sunlight, and the sun hat preparation is required during outdoor activities, a pair of sunglasses will make you comfortable in the trip.

Please keep quiet when visiting temple.

Nearby Attractions

Jizu Mountain in Binchuan County, Dali
Golden Summit Temple of Jizu Mountain in Binchuan County, Dali
Zhusheng Temple of Jizu Mountain in Binchuan County, Dali
Shizhong Mountain Grottoes

Dali City Museum

Dali City Museum, located in the Neizheng street of Zhongmen Town, Dali City, Yunnan Province. Founded in 1986, the museum enjoys the collection of cultural relics, research and exhibitions in Dali, and is a local comprehensive museum. The museum covers an area of 2,650 square meters mainly displaying stoneware, pottery, bronze, porcelain, jade, stone carving, jade carving, wood carving, calligraphy and painting etc.

Why is Dali City Museum so special?

The mansion was listed as a culture relic under provincial protection in 1993. Due to the significance of Du Wenxiu’s uprising and his resistance to the control by Qing Dynasty, the mansion was appointed as the Patriotism Education Base in 1998 by the Yunnan Provincial Party Committee and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province.

The Dali City Museum has been rated as “Provincial Patriotism Education Base” and “Provincial Science Education Base”. In 2010, it was entitled as the “National Science Education Base”. On May 18, 2009, it is free and open to the whole society.

How to get to Dali City Museum?

Take No.8 bus in Xiaguan Railway Station and get off in FuxinG Road Station, then walk 1000 meters south along Fuxing Road.

Take No.4 bus in Meideng Bridge of Xiaguan and get off in Honglongjing Station, then walk along the Bar Street.

History

Once named the Marshal Mansion, the Museum was originally home to Du Wenxiu(杜文秀) (1828-1872). Du is well known for leading the Hui ethnic minority revolt against the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) in 1856. Once Du conquered Dali, he was elected Marshal of the military forces and the original mansion of Yunnan Province was re-named the Marshal Mansion. The battle lasted 18 years. The mansion was destroyed soon after Du’s defeat in 1872. It was not until 1884 that the mansion was restored.

Extensive renovations returned the mansion to its original glory, the mansion finally opened to the public as a museum in 1987. The 360 meters (1181 feet) high wall once surrounding the mansion can now only be found in the southern section of the estate. The museum consists of a front hall, a back hall, Meridian Gates inside the mansion and two floral halls in the southern and northern parts. The mansion also boasts many functional rooms: military-political-affair setup, living rooms, studies, and storerooms.

Main Attractions

Flora Hall

The Flora Hall (located in the southern paThe costumes of ethnic groupsrt of the museum) has more than 120 pieces of stone steles carved in different dynasties ranging from Song Dynasty (960-1279) to Qing Dynasty on display. It is reputed as the most influential forest of steles in Yunnan Province. These exhibits provide valuable materials and historical data tracking the development of the local culture in the past dynasties. The Flora Hall (located in the northern part of the museum) showcases stoneware, crockery, bronze implements, porcelains, and jade articles that were excavated in and around Dali. On display throughout the museum are also wood carvings, stone carvings, jade carvings, calligraphies and paintings. The wood caving ‘Manjusri Bodhisattva Riding on a Lion’ has received recognition worldwide while exhibiting in Japan and Switzerland during the 1990s.

Historical Relics Exhibition Hall

Dali has a long history and is known as the “City of Letter”, enjoying many rich cultural heritages. The Beiqiu Site of Yinsuo Island in Dali Haidong is the earliest Neolithic site in Yunnan, dating back more than 5,000 years. In 1253, Yuan Shizu Kublai led troops to destroy the Dali Kingdom and established the Yunnan Province. At the beginning of the Ming Dynasty, the bureaucrats at all levels of Dali were sent from other places, and the productivity was further improved. Dali’s porcelain handicraft industry began to develop. In Qing Dynasty, the Admiral House was set up in Dali, making Dali once again the political, cultural and economic center in Yunnan. The historical exhibition hall displays the remains of these historical developments.

Buddhist Art Exhibition Hall

Dali is known as the Kingdom of Buddhism. In 1978, when the main towers of Chongsheng Temple were repaired, thousands of precious religious relics of the Nanzhao and Dali Kingdom were found. The metal statues of the Dali period were called “Dali Buddha.” The Buddhist Art Exhibition Hall displays Buddhist art statues from different periods unearthed and collected in Dali.

Useful Travel Tips

1.Best Time to Visit Dali City Museum
A lot of festivals and events of Bai nationality focused on March to April each year, travel at this time you will feel rich ethnic customs. And there is a song: “March in Dali has good scenery”, so in the spring, it is suitable whether it is traveling to Dali, or climbing Canshang Mountain, visiting Erhai Lake.

2. What to Pack
Dali belongs to the low altitude plateau monsoon climate and ultraviolet ray is strong. Travelers should bring usual clothes and necessities as well as sunscreen cream and sunglasses to protect yourselves.

Book the Ziguang Boutique Hotel in Zhaotong and stay at cheap Inn and Guesthouse. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, nice entertainment and visit the popular tourist attractions around the Guesthouse. Check the Rooms Types, Prices, guest Reviews, Breakfast, Dining, Facilities of Ziguang Boutique Hotel in Zhaotong. Discover genuine guest reviews of the comfy rooms along with the latest prices and availability – book now.

Book the New Century Hotel in Zhaotong and stay at cheap Inn and Guesthouse. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, nice entertainment and visit the popular tourist attractions around the Guesthouse. Check the Rooms Types, Prices, guest Reviews, Breakfast, Dining, Facilities of New Century Hotel in Zhaotong. Discover genuine guest reviews of the comfy rooms along with the latest prices and availability – book now.

Book the Jiangshan Hotel in Zhaotong and stay at cheap Inn and Guesthouse. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, nice entertainment and visit the popular tourist attractions around the Guesthouse. Check the Rooms Types, Prices, guest Reviews, Breakfast, Dining, Facilities of Jiangshan Hotel in Zhaotong. Discover genuine guest reviews of the comfy rooms along with the latest prices and availability – book now.

Huadianba Meadow of Cangshan Mountain

Huadianba Meadow(苍山花甸坝) is a beautiful basin on the top of Cangshan Mountain, enjoying the rich natural resources and charming landscape.It consists of big and small Huadianba Meadow. Located among the Yunnong and Canglang peaks. The peak of the west is snowy all the year. 40 creeks collect into Wanhua River, as the main water resource of the basin. The entire Huadianba is flat and fertile. The exotic flowers and grasses compete for beauty. Every spring and summer, there are horses and cherry blossoms in the mountains and plains.It becomes the world of flowers.

Where is Hudianba Meadow?

Huadianba Meadow is located among the Yunnong and Canglang peaks of Cangshan Mountain, Dali City. Huadianba is an alpine basin, 2,900-3,200 meters high above the sea level, with the Dahuadian stretching 10 km from south to north, and 2 km from east to west. It’s inlaid between Yunnong and Cangshan Peaks, which are the northernmost part of the Cangshan Mt’s 19 peaks.

Distance from main attractions

24 km from the Cangshan Mountain
9 km from the Butterfly Spring
21 km from the Three Pagodas
7.3 km from the Gufo Cave

How to get to Huadianba Meadow?

Huadianba Basin is composed of two parts, Dahuadian and Xiaohuadian. Two routes to get there:
(1)-Starting from Zhoucheng Village, you can head westward to the foot of Canglang Peak, and then trek along the rugged footpath on Qigushan Mt to Xiaohuadian;
(2)-Heading westward from Xizhou Town, you need to ascend to Hongkui Mt of Wutaifeng Peak, and then trek northward to the centre of Huadianba.
Both routes will take approximately 6-7 hours. And for the sake of safety, we suggest trekkers resort to professional well-informed travel services and guides.

What to See

Escape from the crowd in the ancient city of Dali, indulge yourself in the world of expansive alpine meadows, a sea of rhododendrons and wild flowers in Huadianba Basin on the Cangshan Mt. Walking on the rustic footpaths is the biggest treat the nature gives, and the bumpy road offers a wild experience.

The underpopulated northwestern part of Yunnan is longed for by lots of hikers and trekkers each summer. There are a wide range of trekking routes in the prefectures of Dali, Lijiang, Diqing (Shangri-La) and Nujiang, from the world’s deepest gorge-the Tiger Leaping Gorge, to the Haba Snow Mt, to the hidden Tibetan village of Yubeng, and to the Nujiang Great Canyon.

The four-day trekking to Huandianba, on the Cangshan Mt of Dali, is an authentic eco tour and your access to the nature in summertime. Challenging alike, Huadianba is seemingly not so risky as the Tiger Leaping Gorge on the Yangtze River and Yubeng Tibetan Village at the foot of Meili Snow Mountain between Yunnan province and Tibet.

To the west of Huadianba are lofty snow-capped mountains, whose thawed water flows into around 40 streamlets to Huadianba’s main water source, the Wanhuaxi rivulet.

Far from the concrete world, Huadianba is a fertile land and home to a big variety of wild flowers, among which varied rhododendrons are the best flora views you take in in summertime. Most of mountains of Yunnan are home to different azaleas and other kinds of flowers. Among the Yunnan’s eight reputed flowers, which are azalea, gentian, lily, magnolia, meconopsis, orchid, camellia, and primrose, you can find azaleas and gentians are widely growing in the wild, such as the Mt Cangshan of Dali. A such wild tour features much more natural, though you can spend a full day wandering around flower markets in Kunming, like the Dounan Flower Market which starts early in the morning for florists.

Way of Visiting

To fulfill the outdoor programme, you can either rent a horse from locals, or trek all the way six or seven hours a day.

Trekking along the small basin, you can drop by villages here such as the Huangxiongwo, Langxiang, Shanshu, and Runiudun. Semantically, names of these four villages are related to animals and plants, e.g. Huangxiong-Yellow Bear, Lang-Wolf, Shan-Fir, and Runiu-Cow. At the highest point of Huadianba, you also can birds-eye view the Er’hai Lake and admire the fog-encircled Luopingshan Mt.

Camping and picnicking are two things you may find interesting to do, but you have to be well-quipped with waterproof outdoor travel kit such as tents and sleeping bags. But what we recommend is to lodge in locals-run inns and guesthouses where you may happily “squeeze” in a room with your partners.

Resources

In 1958, a state-owned farm was initiated here for locals to grow medicinal herbals, and develop animal husbandry. Elecampane, radix codonopsitis, Angelica sinensis, aconite, red deer, and yaks are what they grow and raise.

It’s a pastoral scene in Huadianba that herds graze at wild grasslands. Goats and cattle (mainly cows and yaks) are the main livestock peasants keep in northwestern Yunnan, and cheese seems too alien to most parts of China, but in this remote southwestern frontier, it is at times prepared to treat guests. Those livestock let you think of the “milk fan”, which is locally called “Ru Shan” in Chinese, and is a Bai ethnic snack Dali prides in. People in Dali make use of every inch of steppes, even in mountainous areas, to raise goats and cows for producing milk which is traditionally made into “milk fan” or cheese.

The poorly paved roads, not asphalted and overgrown with green weeds, are seldom frequented by normal tourists partly because Huadianba is too secluded from the outside world; but for hikers, there is more nature feel to retrieve and enjoy, as they can’t do so in big cities. On the way, you can find endless fun by observing every wild flower you encounter, every raspberry that makes your mouth watery, and livestock feeding on wild grasses.

Walking on the rustic footpaths is the biggest treat the nature gives, and the bumpy road offers a wild experience-if you rent a local horse. Like the Lashi Lake of Lijiang, Yila Grassland of Napa Lake, and the Tiger Leaping Gorge of Shangri-La, local farmers here have earned income by joining in the tourism industry. Anyway, horse riding sounds much more environmentally friendly than riding on a pollution-creating device in big cities.

Useful Travel tips

Best Time to Visit: The most beautiful seasons of Huadianba Meadow are months of May to June. Travelers can enjoy the booming flowers on this meadow.

Yunnan Travel Guide

Things To Do

• Yunnan Overview
• Yunnan Attractions
• Yunnan Tours
• Yunnan Shopping
• Yunnan Culture
• Festivals and Activities

Travel Information

• Yunnan Travel Tips
• Yunnan Climate
• Yunnan Transportation
• Yunnan Maps
• Yunnan Photos
• Yunnan Dining
• Yunnan Accommodation
• Yunnan Education
• Yunnan Travel News
• Administrative Divisions

Create My Trip

You Might Like

• 8 Days Northeast Yunnan Photo Tour to Qujing and Zhaotong
• 3 Days XishuangBanna Tea Culture Tour to Yiwu and Nannuo Tea Mountains
• 3 Days Tiger Leaping Gorge Hiking Tour to Haba Village
• 4 Days Shangri-La City Tour
• 13 Days Best Yunnan Flowers Trip to Snow Mountains between May and June
• 5 Days of Wild Flavors: Yunnan’s Ultimate Mushroom Adventure
• 2 Days Best Tiger Leaping Gorge Trekking Tour (Finishing in Hetaoyuan Village)
• 9 Days Kunming-Dali-Shaxi-Lijiang-Shangri-La High Speed Train Tour

ID

Zhaotong Red Fuji Apple

Zhaotong Red Apple is a famous product of Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province, and it is a nationally recognized agricultural product with a geographical indication. Historical Background The...

Shopping    Veiw

• Zhaotong

Shuifu Bacon in Zhaotong

Shuifu Bacon in Zhaotong...

Dining    Veiw

• Zhaotong

Fried Preserve Meat with Bracken in Zhaotong

Fried Preserve Meat with Bracken in Zhaotong...

Dining    Veiw

• Zhaotong

Weixin Sour Fish in Zhaotong

Weixin Sour Fish in Zhaotong...

Dining    Veiw

• Zhaotong

The Ancient Tea Plantations of Wuliang Mountain in Jingdong County, Puer

Wuliang Mountain Wuliang Mountain is located in the western climate zone of China. It is mainly affected by the seasonal alternation of the southwestern monsoon of the Indian Ocean...

Attractions    Veiw

• Jingdong County
• Mountains and Hills
• Puer
• Puer Tea Plantations
• Wuliang Mountains

“Flower marathon” kicks off in west Yunnan’s Tengchong 

The news was updated on July 30, 2019. The 2019 Tengchong Beautiful Country Marathon of Flower Seas kicked off in Jietou township, western Yunnan’s Tengchong city on July 28....

Travel News    Veiw

• Baoshan
• Tengchong

Shizhong Temple of Jizu Mountain in Binchuan County, Dali

Shizhong Temple Shizhong Temple(石钟寺) is one of the oldest temples of Jizu Mountain. It was built in Tang Dynasty and repaired in Yongle Period and Zhengtong Period of Ming...

Attractions    Veiw

• Binchuan County
• Dali
• Jizu Mountain
• Monasteries and Temples
• Temples in Dali

Dali City Museum

Dali City Museum Dali City Museum, located in the Neizheng street of Zhongmen Town, Dali City, Yunnan Province. Founded in 1986, the museum enjoys the collection of cultural relics, research and...

Attractions    Veiw

• Dali
• Dali City
• Museums

Zhaotong Ziguang Boutique Hotel

Book the Ziguang Boutique Hotel in Zhaotong and stay at cheap Inn and Guesthouse. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, nice entertainment and visit the popular tourist attractions around the...

Accommodation    Veiw

• Zhaotong

New Century Hotel in Zhaotong

Book the New Century Hotel in Zhaotong and stay at cheap Inn and Guesthouse. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, nice entertainment and visit the popular tourist attractions around the...

Accommodation    Veiw

• Zhaotong

Zhaotong Jiangshan Hotel

Book the Jiangshan Hotel in Zhaotong and stay at cheap Inn and Guesthouse. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, nice entertainment and visit the popular tourist attractions around the Guesthouse....

Accommodation    Veiw

• Zhaotong

Huadianba Meadow of Cangshan Mountain, Dali

Huadianba Meadow of Cangshan Mountain Huadianba Meadow(苍山花甸坝) is a beautiful basin on the top of Cangshan Mountain, enjoying the rich natural resources and charming landscape.It consists of big and...

Attractions    Veiw

• Cangshan Mountain
• Dali
• Dali City
• Grasslands and Pastures
• Mountains and Hills
• Places for Flowers Tours