Fahan Mountain in Menglian County, Puer
Chinese Name: 孟连县法罕山
English Name:Fahan Mountain in Menglian County, Puer
Address: North of Menglian County, Pu’er City
Introduction:
Fahan Mountain, located about 2 kilometers north of Menglian County, is a sacred site for the Dai people, known as “Golden Rock” in their language. With an elevation of 1,203 meters and an area of approximately 730 acres, the mountain features a diverse range of subtropical plants, including centuries-old dragon’s blood trees, purple yew trees, and large-leaf banyan trees. It also boasts five caves.
The mountain is revered as a sacred site where Buddha is believed to have rested, leaving imprints on the cliff faces that are venerated by local Dai people and others in Southeast Asia.
Legends and Cultural Significance:
According to legend, when Buddha visited Menglian, he rested on Fahan Mountain, leaving behind sacred marks on the cliff. This story is deeply cherished by the Dai community and forms the backdrop for the annual “China Menglian Nanyun Sacred Fish Festival.”
Sacred Fish Festival:
Held every April, the festival features vibrant celebrations with fish-catching events, traditional Tu Si culture, elegant Xuanfu ancient music, and diverse ethnic customs. The festival’s origin is linked to the legend of Fahan Mountain, where Buddha’s encounter with a malevolent dragon led to the transformation of the dragon’s parts into valuable mountains and rivers. This lore underscores the mountain’s sacred status and the cultural significance of the festival.
How to Get to Fahan Mountain in Menglian County, Puer
To reach Fahan Mountain in Menglian County, Pu’er, you have a few options depending on your starting point and preferred mode of travel. Here are the general steps:
From Pu’er City
- By Car:
- Drive: Fahan Mountain is approximately 120 kilometers from Pu’er City. You can drive from Pu’er City to Menglian County. The journey takes around 2 to 3 hours. The route involves taking G214 National Road to Menglian, and then following local roads to Fahan Mountain.
- Rental Car: If you don’t have your own vehicle, you can rent a car or hire a taxi for the trip.
- By Bus:
- Bus to Menglian: Take a bus from Pu’er to Menglian County. Buses from Pu’er to Menglian are available at the Pu’er Bus Station. The journey typically takes around 2 to 3 hours.
- Local Transport: Once you arrive in Menglian, you can take a local taxi or hire a vehicle to reach Fahan Mountain. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the Menglian bus station to the mountain.
From Kunming
- By Air and Car:
- Fly to Pu’er: Take a flight from Kunming Changshui International Airport to Pu’er Simao Airport.
- Travel to Menglian: From Pu’er, follow the steps above to get to Fahan Mountain.
- By Bus:
- Long-Distance Bus: You can take a long-distance bus from Kunming to Menglian County. Buses are available from the Kunming South Bus Station or the Kunming East Bus Station. The journey can take approximately 8 to 10 hours.
- Local Transport: Once in Menglian, arrange for a local taxi or vehicle to Fahan Mountain.
From Xishuangbanna
- By Car:
- Drive: Fahan Mountain is about 140 kilometers from Jinghong, the capital of Xishuangbanna Prefecture. The drive takes around 2.5 to 3 hours. You can take the G214 National Road and follow local signs to Menglian.
- By Bus:
- Bus to Menglian: Buses from Xishuangbanna to Menglian are available. The journey generally takes 2 to 3 hours.
- Local Transport: From Menglian, arrange local transport to Fahan Mountain.
General Tips:
- Navigation: Make sure you have a good map or GPS system as roads in rural areas can be less well-marked.
- Weather Conditions: Check the weather before traveling, as road conditions can vary with the seasons.
- Local Assistance: If you’re unfamiliar with the area, local transportation services or your accommodation can assist with arranging transport to Fahan Mountain.
