Laojie Sanzhai Village of Guichao Town in Funing County, Wenshan Prefecture

Geographic Location

Laojie Sanzhai Village (老街三寨村) is located in the southeastern part of Guichao Town (归朝镇), Funing County (富宁县), Wenshan Prefecture (文山州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It belongs to the Guichao Village Committee (归朝村委会) and is about 1 kilometer from the Guichao Town government. The village is composed of three groups: Laojie (老街), Changsha (长沙), and Dengmao (登冒). It is nestled among four famous scenic spots known as “Golden Seal (金印),” “Elephant Trunk (象鼻),” “Fishing Pearl at Dusk (鱼珠晚钓),” and “Hundred Birds Paying Tribute to the King (百鸟朝王),” part of the Eight Sceneries of Guichao (归朝八大景).

History and Culture

Laojie Sanzhai Village (老街三寨村) is a typical Zhuang ethnic village with a profound cultural heritage. It is one of the regions in southeastern Yunnan that best preserves the original Zhuang culture. In 2006, it was designated as the “Chinese Zhuang Rice Cultivation Culture Scientific Research Base (中国壮族稻作文化科学研究基地),” and in 2017, it was named among the second batch of “Chinese Ethnic Minority Characteristic Villages (中国少数民族特色村寨).” Laojie Sanzhai Village is also one of the birthplaces of Zhuang Opera (壮戏), which originated in the early Qing Dynasty and has a history of over 300 years.

Folk Customs

Laojie Sanzhai Village (老街三寨村) retains many unique Zhuang customs, with Zhuang Opera (壮戏) being the most famous. Originally, the singing style featured melodies like “Yihehai (咿嗬嗨)” and “Aiyiya (哎咿呀),” later evolving into “Aidinou (哎的呶),” all performed in the Zhuang language and highly cherished by locals. From January to March of the lunar calendar, the village hosts the “Ganlongduan (赶珑端)” festival, featuring performances of Zhuang Opera, Han folk songs, and Yao bronze-drum music, attracting large audiences.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Guichao Town (归朝镇) has a subtropical monsoon climate, with no distinct seasons, mild winters, cool summers, abundant rainfall, and a long frost-free period. The average annual temperature is around 19.8°C, and annual rainfall is about 1,103.5 millimeters. The best times to visit are spring and autumn when the climate is pleasant and the natural scenery is most beautiful.

Recommended Attractions, Visiting Times, and Ticket Prices

  • Laojie Sanzhai Village (老街三寨村): Visitors can explore well-preserved traditional Zhuang architecture and experience the unique ethnic culture. Suggested visit time: 2–3 hours. Admission: Free.
  • Six Sceneries of Guichao (归朝六景): These include Lion Platform Moon Watching (狮台望月), Golden Seal Enveloping Silver (金印笼银), Dragon Spring Blood Spouting (龙泉喷血), Elephant Trunk Curling Lake (象鼻卷湖), Fishing Pearl at Dusk (鱼珠挽钓), and High Slope Breeze (高坡清风). Ideal for hiking and photography. Suggested visit time: 1–2 hours. Admission: Free.
  • Site of the Shen Tusi Office (沈土司遗址): Located in Houzhou Village (后州村) of Guichao Village Committee (归朝村委会), it was once the yamen (official residence) of the Shen Tusi during the Qing Dynasty. Several historical relic sites are still preserved. Suggested visit time: 1 hour. Admission: Free.

Transportation

  • Public Transport: Take a bus from Funing County seat to Guichao Town, a journey of about 1 hour. After arriving at Guichao Town, walk or transfer to a rural bus to reach Laojie Sanzhai Village.
  • Self-Drive: Depart from Funing County seat and drive along National Highway 323 for about 30 kilometers, taking around 40 minutes.

Local Cuisine

The area around Laojie Sanzhai Village (老街三寨村) offers many specialty foods, such as Flower Sticky Rice (花糯饭), Rice Crackers (米花), Star Anise (八角), and Dragon Fruit (火龙果). Visitors can also enjoy traditional Shehuo banquets associated with Zhuang Opera performances for a unique folk experience.

Shopping

Visitors can buy local specialties such as Star Anise (八角), Dragon Fruit (火龙果), and Funing Star Anise (富宁八角). Handicrafts like Wenshan Miao Embroidery (文山苗绣) are also recommended as souvenirs.

Accommodation

There are several farm stays and guesthouses in and around Laojie Sanzhai Village (老街三寨村) offering affordable lodging, generally priced between 50 to 100 RMB per person per night. For more comfortable accommodations, hotels in Funing County seat are available.

Travel Tips

  • Respect local customs, especially when visiting traditional villages and participating in folk activities.
  • Protect the environment by avoiding littering.
  • If planning hiking or outdoor activities, check weather forecasts in advance and take necessary safety precautions.

Suggested Itinerary

  • Day 1: Depart from Funing County seat and head to Laojie Sanzhai Village, Guichao Town. Visit the traditional village and experience Zhuang ethnic culture. Stay overnight at a local farm stay.
  • Day 2: Visit the Six Sceneries of Guichao for natural sightseeing, then head to the Site of the Shen Tusi Office to explore historical relics. Return to Funing County seat in the afternoon to conclude the trip.

Laojie Sanzhai Village (老街三寨村) is a captivating traditional village, offering not only unique natural landscapes but also a rich ethnic culture. Whether strolling through ancient village alleys or enjoying traditional Zhuang Opera performances, visitors can deeply experience the vibrant ethnic atmosphere. We hope you enjoy an unforgettable journey here.