Beginning an extraordinary 4-day odyssey through the majestic landscapes and storied cultural heritage of Yunnan Province, where the Dali Salt and Tea Horse Road Tour awaits. This unforgettable adventure seamlessly blends breathtaking natural scenery, quaint traditional villages, and ancient trade routes to create an unforgettable experience. As we wander through the charming town of Dali, you’ll discover its ancient city walls, rich Bai minority culture, and awe-inspiring Cangshan Mountains. From here, we’ll venture into the untamed Ailao Mountains, where lush forests, crystal-clear rivers, and high-altitude plateaus await. Along the way, we’ll stop at local villages to uncover the secrets of the region’s storied salt and tea trade, which has connected this enchanting land for centuries.
Join the unforgettable 4-day journey through the picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage of Yunnan Province. The Dali Salt and Tea Horse Road Tour will take you on an adventure that combines stunning natural beauty, traditional villages, and ancient trade routes. You will explore the charming town of Dali, known for its ancient city walls, traditional Bai minority culture, and stunning Cangshan Mountains. From there, you will venture into the wilder regions of the Ailao Mountains, where we’ll hike through lush forests, cross rivers, and climb to high-altitude plateaus. Along the way, we’ll visit local villages, where you will learn about the traditional salt and tea trade that has connected this region for centuries.
Day 1: Dali to Shaxi
Day 2: Shaxi to Nuodeng
Day 3: Nuodeng
Day 4: Nuodeng to Dali and Departure
Sightseeing and Activities: visit the ancient town of Jianchuan, Visit Shanxi, visit Mt. Shibaoshan Temple
Accommodation: Dali
Meals: Breakfast
Sightseeing and Activities: visit Shanxi Ancient Town, XIngjiao Temple, Square Street, Yujing Bridge, Tea Horse Road Trade, Nuodeng
Accommodation: Nuodeng
Meals: Breakfast
Sightseeing and Activities: visit old Taoist Temple, the old Pavilion, the traditional residential Houses, the ancient salt well
Accommodation: Nuodeng
Meals: Breakfast
Sightseeing and Activities: None
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast
Drive from Nuodeng to Dali. Your private guide and driver can escort you to your hotel in Dali or to the airport or train station for your next destination.
Nuodeng, a thousand-years town, a famous historic and cultural village of Yunnan province. Located in mountainous area, it is far away from the hustle and bustle of metropolis. It is the true place with original flavor of life. Except for the profound history, Nuodeng is the important place of Ancient Salt and Horse Road. Salt is the key point of Nuodeng Ancient Town. Walk in the Nuodeng Ancient Town and view the busy Ancient Salt and Horse Road.
Nuodeng is one of oldest and traditional village of Yunnan, which is the oldest famous economic town of Bai ethnic group amassing most of ancient buildings and cultural relics of Ming and Qing Dynasties. Nowadays, Nuodeng Village still owes more than one hundred local-style dwelling houses and yards, which are at the foot of a hill and beside a stream with flexible shapes and elegant styles. It is one of the top ten tourism town, also one of the five salt wells.
Nuodeng Town of Yunlong county lies to the rendezvous place of the world natural legacy—Three Rivers, which is a place of interest. It is about 7 km northwest of Yunlong and 160 kilometers from Dali city in the east.
Nuodeng is loacted in rural area, so it is not so convenient to transfer in Nuodeng. Travelers had better drive to Nuodeng since there is many public bues.
Nuodeng, a famous historic and cultural village of Yunnan province. As early as in 110 AD in the Han Dynasty, Emperor Wudi set up Bisu County at this place, where there was a fine salt well and people began to develop it. During Nanzhao Kingdom, the history of ethnic groups records something about Nuodeng well. In Ming Dynasty, One of Four Institutions of Yunnan especially in charge of the tax revenue imposed on “Five Salt Wells ” was established in Nuodeng. Finally, Nuodeng , became the center of the Ancient Salt and Tea Road, with Dali in the east, Baoshan in the south, Tengchong and Burman in the west, Lijiang and Tibet in the north.
Nuodeng Town boomed and played an important role in economy of Dali because of the salt industry. Local people lived on production of salt. There are a lot of temple buildings such as Yuhuangge Pavilion, Wen Temple, Wu Temple, Longwang Temple, Squared Gate built in Ming and Qin Dynasties. The sites of salt well, salt bureau, salt institution and the old post road, streets and the Ancient Salt and Horse Road can easily be seen. All of these are living materials to show the prosperity of salt economy and the development of culture. It has also demonstrated that the main culture, policy, economy of the Chinese nation always can be unified and traced to the same origin with Yunnan, a multi-national border province of China.
You’ll hear much of the‘thousand—year—old village’ around these parts, and it refers to this lovely anachronistic hamlet with one of the highest concentrations of Bai in Yunnan. Nuodeng is unquestionably the highlight to any visit to the area.
Entering the village from Yunlong, you cross the river and hit tile first of the town’s many salt wells. Grubby today, perhaps, but it was once the lifeblood of dynastic ambition. Ascending from here you start into your own personal architectural tour. The paths narrow and lead into a wondrous labyrinth of more than 100 ancient dwellings. You’ll likely be invited in to nose around a few places, just remember to be polite and not get too animated with the camera.
26 Days Grand Yunnan Ethnic Minority Discovery
March to April is the best time to visit Nuodeng. There are many festivals and activities of Bai nationality during March and April, traveling in March and April, people will experience the rich local folk customs.
1.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.
2.When the weather is fine in Nuodeng, 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.
3.Respect local custom of ethnic minority.
4.You’ll likely be invited in to nose around a few places, just remember to be polite and not get too animated with the camera.
Nuodeng Salt Well is a representative salt well, enjoying a good reputation. In 109 B.C., Emperor Wudi of west Han Dynasty conquered Yunnan and set up Yizhou prefeture, including 24 counties, among them was Bisu County which is the area along along Bijiang River valley. “Bi” means salt in Bai Language, and “Su” means people producing salt. Nuodeng Salt Well has a history of over 2000 years since it was exploited in Han Dynasty. The Nuodeng Salt Well was a 21-meter deep well. People in ancient times got the brine by drawing salt water from the well by hand and then the brine was delivered to each family to boil. The fantastic Nuodeng Salt Well and Salt Museum can take you to view more about the booming salt industry.
It is the one of top five salt wells in China. As the important part of Salt Horse Road, it was prosperous in the ancient time, so you can visit many historic sites here and know more detail information in Salt Museum.
Nuodeng is an exquisite village of Bai ethnic group in Yunlong County, west of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. According to historical materials, Nuodeng enjoys a history of more than 1,200 years. It is well-known for its natural salt and ham.
Built on a sharp mountain, villagers’ houses were connected layer by layer. Usually, the back door of a house in front is linked with the courtyard of the family behind. Most buildings are well preservation of the complexes featuring Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and are called the “living fossils” of ancient buildings of Bai people.
Nuodeng used to be a tribe which was blooming because of salt. People here have been engaged in boiling salt, thus, it was a key economic trading town in the west of Yunnan Province. There is a salt well in the ancient village, around which salty water oozes all the year round. Grains of salts can be seen in the dry areas of the well.
Nodang salt contains potassium, but no iodine. Nuodeng salt has a light taste and strong penetrability. Nuodeng salt can get into the food deeply. Therefore, the salt of ham can be preserved for a long time, and it is not too salty. With the Nuodeng salt, the deliciousNuodeng ham can be marinated, so the Nodang salt is hailed as the first delicious food by people in the mountains.
Nuodeng Ham is one of the three famous hams in Yunnan. Made with unique recipe, the ham tastes crispy and smells good.
A Bite of China”, a TV show that’s sparked a wave of food buying among gourmet-seeking gastronomes, eager to taste something new. In this documentary shot by CCTV there is a six-minute-long video about the Nuodeng Ham, which gains the ham considerable fame. The natural salt well makes the special flavor of Nuodeng Ham as a traditional regional specialty dishes.
1.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.
2.When the weather is fine in Nuodeng, 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.
3.Respect local custom of ethnic minority.
4.If you get a chance, you can see the process of producing salt in Nuodeng.
Located in the north of Yunlong County(云龙县), Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Nuodeng Ancient Town is a thousand-year Bai village. It is the true place with original flavor of life. Except for the profound history, Nuodeng is the important place of Ancient Salt and Horse Road. Salt plays an important role at Nuodeng Ancient Town. Shaxi Town(沙溪镇) is located in the southwest of Jianchuan County(剑川县), Yunnan Province, China, in the southeast of Three parallel rivers(Jinsha River, Lancang River and Nujiang River) nature reserve, between Dali and Lijiang Ancient Town. And the well-known Shibao Mountain is right here. Shaxi old town is a real ancient town of antique beauty. It maintains the most primitive architectural features, ancient temples, ancient stage, ancient shops, horse shops, ancient red sand slabstone streets, old trees, ancient roadways, ancient village gate. Shaxi Old Town is a famous attraction once played an important role as a bustling trade point on the Tea Horse Caravan Road.
No matter which direction you come to Shaxi Old Town, you must go to the county seat of Jianchuan County first.
The route from Nuodeng Ancient Town to Shaxi Ancient Town is Nuodeng Ancient Town-Yunlong Bus Terminal-Jianchuan Bus Terminal-Shaxi Ancient Town. The distance between Yunlong Bus Terminal and Nuodeng Ancient Town is about 6 kilometers, you can take a taxi or Chartered bus to Yunlong Bus Terminal first. It takes about 12 minutes and spends 15-30 yuan. Then you can take long-distance bus from Yunlong Bus Terminal to Jianchuan Bus Terminal. When walking out of Jianchuan Bus Terminal, you will see a lot of minibuses waiting in line to go to Shaxi old town. There is no bus terminal at Shaxi old town, only minibuses travel to and fro between Shaxi old town and the county seat of Jianchuan County. The journey is about 45 minutes and costs 13 yuan.
There is only one nonstop long-distance bus from Yunlong County to Jianchuan County.
Route | Depart | Distance | Duration | Price |
Yunlong Bus Terminal-Jianchuan Bus Terminal | 08:10 | 229 Kilometers | 6h | 51 CNY |
Tips: There might be other long-distance buses from Yunlong county to Jianchuan county, but we can’t find it online. More information, you can consult at the bus terminal.
Check more information about Jianchuan County Travel Guide.
1 Day Shaxi Old Town and Shibaoshan Mountain Tour from Lijiang
2 Days Shaxi Old Town and Shibaoshan Mountain Tour from Dali to Lijiang
There must be chartered buses from Yunlong county to Jianchuan County, you can get them at bus terminal or ancient town. Chartered bus is more convenient and flexible than long-distance, but spends more money. If you miss the long-distance bus, you can choose the chartered bus.
No matter which direction you come to Nuodeng Old Town, you must go to the county seat of Yunlong County first.
The transportation route from Shaxi Ancient Town to Nuodeng Ancient Town is in opposition to the route from Nuodeng Ancient Town to Shaxi Ancient Town. Departing from Shaxi Ancient Town, you should go Jianchuan Bus Terminal by minibus first. Then you can take long-distance bus from Jianchuan Bus Terminal to Yunlong Bus Terminal. Since Nuodeng Ancient Town is about 6 kilometers from Yunlong bus terminal, you can take a taxi to Nuodeng Ancient Town after walking out of the bus terminal.
There are 2 nonstop long-distance buses from Jianchuan County to Yunlong County.
Route | Depart | Distance | Duration | Price |
Jianchuan Bus Terminal-Yunlong Bus Terminal | 06:40, 07:00 | 229 Kilometers | 6h | 45 CNY |
There must be chartered buses from Jianchuan county to Yunlong County, you can get them at bus terminal or ancient town. Chartered bus is more convenient and flexible than long-distance, but spends more money. If you miss the long-distance bus, you can choose the chartered bus.
Tips: The above information is for reference only, if any change is based on actual information. Besides, if you plan to visit Shaxi Ancient Town and Nuodeng Ancient Town, you can contact us.
Email: contact@YunnanExploration.com, or Phone: 0086-871-63511469, Wechat: 908400838
a. Yunlong Bus Terminal云龙客运站
Address: No.208, Hushan Road, Yunlong County, Dali大理白族自治州云龙县虎山路208号
Tel: 0872-5522249
b. Jianchuan Bus Terminal剑川客运站
Address: National Highway No.214, Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture大理白族自治州剑川县214国道
Tel: 0872-4521297
Located in the north of Yunlong County(云龙县), Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Nuodeng Ancient Town is a thousand-year Bai village. Located in mountainous area, it is far away from the hustle and bustle of metropolis. It is the true place with original flavor of life. Except for the profound history, Nuodeng is the important place of Ancient Salt and Horse Road. Salt plays an important role at Nuodeng Ancient Town.
No matter which direction you come to Nuodeng Ancient Town, you must go to the county seat of Yunlong County first.
With a distance of about 155 kilometers, tourists can go from Dali City to Yunlong County mainly by long-distance bus. The transportation between Dali City and Yunlong County involves two main long-distance bus stations, Dali Express Bus Station and Yunlong Bus Terminal. There are about 14 daily buses from Dali City to Yunlong County, as well as the journey is about 3 hours and 36 minutes and costs 43 yuan. Dali express bus station is located at No.1, Huancheng South Road, Dali City, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan Province. The departure time is 7:30, 8:10, 8:50, 9:30, 10:10, 10:50, 11:30, 12:10, 12:50, 13:30, 14:10, 14:50, 15:40, 16:30.
More information about Dali City-Yunlong County Transportation.
The distance between Yunlong Bus Terminal and Nuodeng Ancient Town is about 6 kilometers, you can take a taxi to Nuodeng Ancient Town. It takes about 12 minutes and spends 15-30 yuan.
Nuodeng Ancient Town and Baofeng Old Town are popular in Yunlong County. If you plan to Yunlong County of Dali Prefecture, Please contact us, Yunnan Exploration will provide attentive services.
Email: contact@YunnanExploration.com, or Phone: 0086-871-63511469, Wechat: 908400838
Chinese Name: 诺邓古村祭孔活动
English Name: Confucius Memorial Ceremony in Nuodeng Village of Yunlong County, Dali
http://ylx.gov.cn/view/front.article.articleView/13078/32/797.html
Nuodeng Ham (诺邓火腿) is one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Yunnan, famous for its making process, falvor and high quality.
The history of Nuodeng Ham began in Tang Dynasty and became prosperous in Song Dynasty. It was also called Salt-Mud Ham(盐泥火腿), due to its special making method. It is said that The King of Nanzhao(南诏) once traveled to Nuodeng(诺邓), found that Nuodeng Ham was pickled in salt and mud, he was surprised a lot. Then he was impressed by its ruddy colour and amazing taste, he praised it endlessly. So, Nuodeng Ham became a royal tribute at that time.
Nuodeng Ham comes from Yunlong County, Dali(大理州云龙县), which known as the Healthy Mountain City(健康山城). The vast mountain forest pasture in this county provides excellent conditions for the growth of Nuodeng Black Pig(诺邓黑猪). Newborn piglets are kept in the field, mainly fed on wild plants, and then fattened by plants such as corn and soybean in captivity. It takes more than one year to fatten them. These pig’s meat is tastes better, which provides the best meat source for Nuodeng Ham.
The winter before of Spring Festival is the best time to make Nuodeng Ham. When miking hams in winter every year, local people cool the fresh pig legs for 12-24 hours, then remove the excess flesh from the legs, then find the blood vessels on the legs and squeeze out the blood so as to ensure that they will not deteriorate. Then use Nuodeng grain wine to sprinkle evenly on the legs of pig. Then evenly sprinkle salt on the legs while rub them so that they can absorb the salt. Finally, evenly sprinkle a layer of salt on the pig legs again, gently press the pig legs. Then put the legs into a wooden cylinder, cover them with a lid. Keep the legs in side for about 15 to 20 days. Then take them out.
Here comes the key process of making a Nordeng Ham, evenly spread a layer of stove ash and the mixture of Nuodeng salt and mud on the ham. It is said that this kind of mud has the functions of keeping fresh, increasing fragrance and preventing insects. Then suspended the legs in a cool and ventilated place with a rope.Usually a ham can be stored for at least one year, at most more than three or five years. What’s more, The longer the ham stored, the better the color, aroma and taste. Such processed made the real reputation of Nordeng Ham.
The salt used in pickling Nordeng Ham is the best salt produced by local salt wells. Don’t underestimate this self-made salt. Nordeng Salt is the highest quality salt in Yunlong County. It is said that the common salt can only soak six pieces of meat, while the Nuodeng salt can soak more than seven pieces of meat. The salt contains potassium, magnesium and other trace elements, which made the color and aroma of the ham better.
Most of the hams stored for more than two years, were covered with green mold. Local people called this Hanging Green Clothes(挂绿衣). Some people mistook this for bad quality, in fact, only the ham with “green clothes” tasted the best. Stripped of its green coat, the ham looks like amber, the fat is creamy white, and the meat is peach and bright red. Rich flavor, tender meat, salty degree is appropriate, the ham is the best in color and aroma.
Chinese Version: http://ylx.gov.cn/view/front.article.articleView/9158/32/805.html
Translated by Emily -Wang/王海玲
Plan your Dali Ethnic Villages Tour to Dali? Visit Dajing Village of Nuodeng Town in Yunlong County, Dali which is one of the most fascinating ethnic villages in Dali. Explore the local folk ethnic culture including History, Food and Dining, Clothing, Customs and Traditions, Architecture, Festivals, Crafts, Religion, Language of local ethnic people in Dajing Village of Nuodeng Town in Yunlong County, Dali.
Chinese Name: 大理州云龙县诺邓镇象麓村委会大井村
English Name: Dajing Village of Nuodeng Town in Yunlong County, Dali
Plan your Dali Ethnic Villages Tour to Dali? Visit Tianjing Village of Nuodeng Town in Yunlong County, Dali which is one of the most fascinating ethnic villages in Dali. Explore the local folk ethnic culture including History, Food and Dining, Clothing, Customs and Traditions, Architecture, Festivals, Crafts, Religion, Language of local ethnic people in Tianjing Village of Nuodeng Town in Yunlong County, Dali.
Chinese Name: 大理州云龙县诺邓镇和平村委会天井村
English Name: Tianjing Village of Nuodeng Town in Yunlong County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理云龙县诺邓镇
English Name: Nuodeng Town of Yunlong County in Dali
Built on a sharp mountain, villagers’ houses were connected layer by layer. Usually, the back door of a house in front is linked with the courtyard of the family behind. Most buildings are well preservations of the complexes featuring Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), and are called the “living fossils” of ancient buildings of Bai people.
Nuodeng used to be a tribe which was blooming because of salt. People here have been engaged in boiling salt, thus, it was a key economic trading town in the west of Yunnan Province. There is a salt well in the ancient village, around which salty water oozes all the year round. Grains of salts can be seen in the dry areas of the well.
It is six kilometers of the north of Yunlong County. Nuodeng Ham is one of the three famous hams in Yunnan. Made with unique recipe, the ham tastes crispy and smells good.
A Bite of China”, a new TV show that’s sparked a wave of food buying among gourmet-seeking gastronomes, eager to taste something new. In this documentary shot by CCTV there is a six-minute-long video about the Nuodeng Ham, which gains the ham considerable fame. The natural salt well makes the special flavor of Nuodeng Ham as a traditional regional specialty dishes.
Dali-Shaxi-Nuodeng-Dali
Nuodeng Ancient Town Nuodeng, a thousand-years town, a famous historic and cultural village of Yunnan province. Located in mountainous area, it is far away from the hustle and bustle...
Nuodeng Salt Wells and Salt Museum Nuodeng Salt Well is a representative salt well, enjoying a good reputation. In 109 B.C., Emperor Wudi of west Han Dynasty conquered...
Chinese Name: 诺邓文庙 English Name: Nuodeng Confucius Temple in Yunlong County, Dali Dali Nuodeng Confucius Temple in Yunlong County travel guide introduces the main attractions, entrance tickets booking, The...
Located in the north of Yunlong County(云龙县), Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Nuodeng Ancient Town is a thousand-year Bai village. It is the true place with original flavor of life. Except for...
Located in the north of Yunlong County(云龙县), Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Nuodeng Ancient Town is a thousand-year Bai village. Located in mountainous area, it is far away from the...
Chinese Name: 诺邓古村祭孔活动 English Name: Confucius Memorial Ceremony in Nuodeng Village of Yunlong County, Dali http://ylx.gov.cn/view/front.article.articleView/13078/32/797.html...
Nuodeng Ham (诺邓火腿) is one of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Yunnan, famous for its making process, falvor and high quality. History: The history of Nuodeng Ham began in...
Plan your Dali Ethnic Villages Tour to Dali? Visit Dajing Village of Nuodeng Town in Yunlong County, Dali which is one of the most fascinating ethnic villages in Dali....
Plan your Dali Ethnic Villages Tour to Dali? Visit Tianjing Village of Nuodeng Town in Yunlong County, Dali which is one of the most fascinating ethnic villages in Dali....
Chinese Name:大理云龙县诺邓镇 English Name: Nuodeng Town of Yunlong County in Dali...
Nuodeng is an exquisite village of Bai ethnic group in Yunlong County, west of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. According to historical materials, Nuodeng enjoys a history of...
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