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2024 Cangyuan Travel Guide: Must-see attractions, popular food, hotels, transportation routes (updated in November)
Today's Weather
Foggy 13-23℃
Popular Attractions
Wengding Village
In Wuyuan County, Yunnan Province, China, there is a Yonghe Port, which used to be the Shan State of Myanmar.
There are not many people who cross the border from this port, and to some extent become a tourist attraction.
Get out of the port on the Chinese side, and there is still a long way to go to the port of entry for Myanmar. Visitors can take a look at this section.
The original blue sky and white clouds, the rolling green hills, the environment here is enviable.
Due to the altitude, this place in Wuyuan is covered in a white mist every morning. After the afternoon, the clouds begin to disperse.
The buildings at the port have an obvious Southeast Asian style. China and Myanmar are separated by a valley.
This is the boundary pillar of the port, and it is also a place where tourists compete for a group photo. I saw the floating five-star red flag, very kind.
The sea of clouds in the mountains appears almost every day, this is a beautiful place.
7 Days in Kunming-Puer-Lincang: A Must-See!
7 days in Kunming-Puer-Lincang, a journey of beautiful scenery and tea fragrance, a must-see Yunnan style trip! Come and explore with us!
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🏃Itinerary
Day 1: Cuihu Park->Gasa Town->Nan'en Waterfall->Shimen Gorge Scenic Area
Stroll through Cuihu, explore Gasa Town, admire the grandeur of Nan'en Waterfall, and visit the wonders of Shimen Gorge.
Day 2: Jinshan Primitive Forest->Jingkang
Explore the mysterious nature of Jinshan Primitive Forest, then head to Jingkang to experience a different culture.
Day 3: Sigangli->Kilometer Chinese Painting Gallery->Guangyun Mian Temple->Hulu Town
Visit the legend of Sigangli, stroll through the Kilometer Chinese Painting Gallery, visit the tranquility of Guangyun Mian Temple, and finally enjoy the leisure of Hulu Town.
Day 4: China Yonghe Port->Awa Mountain Sea of Clouds->Wengding Primitive Tribe
Depart from China Yonghe Port, admire the spectacular Awa Mountain Sea of Clouds, and visit the ancient culture of Wengding Primitive Tribe.
Day 5: Mengsuo Longtan->Nayin Ancient Town
Visit the natural beauty of Mengsuo Longtan, then head to Nayin Ancient Town to experience the history and charm.
Day 6: Lancang County Laodabao Village Music Town->Jingmai Millennium Ancient Tea Garden->Nuogan Ancient Village->Wengji Bulang Old Village
Experience the charm of village music in Laodabao, taste the tea fragrance of Jingmai Ancient Tea Garden, and visit the folk customs of Nuogan Ancient Village and Wengji Bulang Old Village.
Day 7: Jingmai Millennium Ancient Tea Garden->Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion
On the last day, visit Jingmai Ancient Tea Garden again to experience the charm of millennium tea culture, and finally visit the unique architecture of Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion.
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🎒 Travel Essentials:
👚 Clothing: Lightweight jacket, long-sleeved top, jeans to cope with temperature differences; sun protection clothing, sun hat to block UV rays.
📋 Documents: ID card, driver's license, student ID for discounts and peace of mind; cash, bank card for worry-free payment.
💊 Health: Motion sickness medicine, stomach medicine for a more comfortable trip; sunscreen, moisturizer for skin care.
📷 Fun: Cell phone, camera to capture the beauty; charger, power bank for full power.
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🚗Don't hesitate, pack your bags and start your Kunming-Puer-Lincang trip, more exciting things are waiting for you to discover!✨
"Wulong Tiankeng and Difen | Mysterious Underground Adventure in the Fog City."
| Mysterious Underground Adventure in the Fog City." 😎 Guys! You must visit Wulong Tiankeng and Difen Scenic Area in the Fog City!
It's like a mysterious alien world here. 🧐 The Tiankeng is magnificent and spectacular, with a huge pit like the open mouth of the earth, steep walls, and green plants still growing tenaciously, full of vitality! The Difen is deep and narrow, with gurgling streams and mist, and every step is full of surprises. I love it! 💕
The last primitive tribe in China.
Cangyuan Secret Realm, the last primitive tribe in China - Wengding Ancient Village.
One song and one dance, one step from primitive society to modern civilization, Wengding Wa people maintain ancient customs, sacred wood, human sacrifice, cow sacrifice, wooden drum, touch you black. They have the most magnificent dance posture, the most thrilling sound, the most sacred moment, the most glorious sun. Wa people's blood flows with passion, openness, curiosity, and childlike heart. I love this place, love their generous and intimate contact, and natural and free peace.
Airplane travel: Cangyuan Wa Mountain Airport
Currently, there are direct flights to Cangyuan: Kunming, Lijiang, Changsha, Chongqing, Shanghai.
Transfer: Transfer from Kunming. There are 7 flights from Kunming to Cangyuan every day, and the ticket price is usually only two or three hundred yuan, which is very cheap!
After leaving the airport, you can take the airport bus to Cangyuan County. You can also book a car in advance to pick you up at the airport and take you directly to your hotel.
Driving: If you are driving from Kunming, take the Chudahuang Expressway, get off at Xiangyun, take the Xianglin Second-level Road, and head all the way to Cangyuan. The road conditions are very good, and the car is no problem. Especially after passing the Xiaohe River checkpoint and entering the Gengcang Highway, the road conditions are so good that it is maddening, and the scenery is so beautiful that the road signs will remind you: Please do not stop to enjoy the view hahaha.
Self-driving from Kunming to Cangyuan is 700 kilometers, and it takes 10.5 hours to drive non-stop. However, if there is road construction on the way, there may be traffic jams, and there are many large trucks on the road, so pay attention to avoid and be prepared for road construction traffic jams. If you can't get to Cangyuan in one day, there are several cities to rest on the way, Yunxian, Lincang City, Shuangjiang County.
If you stay in Shuangjiang County, it is the hometown of famous Pu'er tea, Bingdao tea and Xigui tea. If you have time, you can visit the Pu'er ancient tea tree worth hundreds of thousands of yuan per tree.
Bus travel guide:
Take a bus from Kunming West Bus Station, call in advance to confirm, it is best to book in advance. Sleeper bus, journey time 15-16 hours.
The opening hours of Wengding Primitive Tribe are from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, but entry will be suspended at 5:30 pm.
Park in the parking lot. Change to a scenic electric car to enter the scenic area. 20 minutes journey. Mainly in advance, there may be a queue to wait for the car.
Is Lincang, this border town, worth visiting?
📍【Must-Visit Attractions】
1. Cangyuan Cliff Painting Village - Located in Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, the ancient cliff paintings tell stories of thousands of years, with each stroke revealing the mysteries of history.
Address: Mengdong Town, Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province
Transportation: You can take a long-distance bus from Lincang City to Cangyuan County, then transfer to a local minibus or hire a car to reach the Cliff Painting Village.
2. Nangun River National Nature Reserve - Explore the secrets of the primeval forest and get close to wildlife.
Address: Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City
Transportation: It is recommended to hire a car, about a 3-hour drive from Lincang City.
3. Yun County Manwan Hundred-Mile Long Lake - Enjoy the tranquil lake and mountain scenery, paddle on the lake, and let your soul truly relax.
Address: Yun County, Lincang City
Transportation: Drive yourself or hire a car from Lincang City, enjoying the pastoral scenery along the way.
🍽️【Food Recommendations】
- Sour Papaya Chicken: This dish is a specialty of Lincang, with tender chicken and a perfect balance of sweet and sour, making it a must-try delicacy.
- Wa Grilled Fish: In Cangyuan, taste an authentic Wa grilled fish, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, spicy and delicious, making you crave for more.
- White Fungus Soup: As a specialty of Lincang, white fungus soup is refreshing and cooling, nourishing and beautifying, making it a perfect summer treat.
🌄【Recommended Surrounding Attractions】
- Nansan Town, Zhenkang County: Experience the exotic charm of the border town and feel the collision of different cultures.
- Mengding Town, Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County: Explore the small town on the China-Myanmar border and taste authentic Dai snacks.
💡【Tips】
- Best Travel Time: Lincang has a spring-like climate all year round, making it suitable for travel throughout the year. However, July is the rainy season, so please check the weather forecast before traveling.
- The local ethnic groups are numerous, respect local customs, and friendly communication with villagers will enrich your travel experience.
- Remember to bring mosquito repellent, especially in tropical rainforest areas.
Let your soul be released in this verdant scenery, feeling the power and tranquility of nature
The water of Lincang is also part of its unique charm. The Lancang River and Nu River traverse the entire region, presenting a myriad of forms due to the terrain. There are vast high gorges and flat lakes reflecting the blue sky and white clouds, like a giant mirror capturing the beauty of the sky; there are also surging waves that inspire strength and passion; and there are gentle, silky flows that seem to tell the tenderness and tranquility of Lincang.
🕙Business hours:
8:00-19:00
🚉Transportation tips:
Self-driving or chartered car
📝Travel and photography tips:
The latter part of the road is winding mountain paths, but the road conditions are good, and sedans can reach the small wooden bridge for photos. It has a similar feel to Altay in Xinjiang, and drone aerial photography will yield better results.
Bring your own water and dry food, and take sun protection measures.
Take away personal trash and protect the natural beauty.
(After returning to Yingjiang city from Huangcaoba, you can also go to Nongdao to see the sunset on the bamboo bridge. There is also a large wheat field nearby for photography)
How beautiful is China's last primitive tribe as featured in National Geographic?
Wengding, in the Wa language, means a place shrouded in clouds and fog😃, and also conveys the spiritual beauty of high mountains, white clouds, and lakes😉. Wengding is a Wa village with a history of nearly 400 years👍, located in Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province🤜. The village is shaped like a giant chair😎, surrounded by a continuous range of mountains🧐. The architectural style of the village is uniform✨, all are wooden structures with thatched roofs, divided into stilted and ground styles🎄. Because of its primitive Wa architectural style and local customs, it is known as China's last primitive tribe🤩.
😔Regrettably, a major fire in 2021 destroyed most of the buildings in the village, with only 4 thatched houses surviving😭. Now, reconstruction has been carried out on the original foundation🙏.
📍Address: Wengding Ancient Village, Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province🤩
💰Ticket price: 55 RMB per person (including sightseeing car)
🅿Parking: Free parking at the scenic area😜
🚄Transportation: You can choose Lincang Airport or Cangyuan Airport (Cangyuan Airport is closer, but has fewer flights😅), or take the high-speed train to Lincang, then it is recommended to drive there🚗.
🎁Tips:
1️⃣At the entrance of the village, there is a 'touch your head in the dark' ceremony👼, which is a paint used by the Wa people for blessings and prayers🎨.
2️⃣Inside the village, there is a fire pit storytelling session🧚, where respected elders invite everyone to drink tea and tell stories🎙.
3️⃣You can rent Wa ethnic costumes for photography📷, and sometimes experience face painting✍.
4️⃣When buying tickets, be sure to check the activity schedule📋, if you can catch the drumming event, the sense of ceremony will be maxed out🎉.
5️⃣There are three viewing platforms🎑, from the second one you can overlook the entire village, and if the timing is right, you can also see the fire brigade spraying water, which is quite spectacular🎇.
6️⃣The sacred forest is a must-visit, human head sacrifices were no longer performed after 1958, now replaced with cow heads🐮, but it is still spectacular🐄.
7️⃣Respect the local ethnic customs🤝, the locals are very hospitable🤗.
🏰Accommodation recommendations:
👏Wengding Ancient Village Inn: Located inside the old village🛤, with a beautiful environment😻, complete facilities🎯, and a good choice to experience the local culture👍.
🚇Hotels in Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County: Located in the center of the county town, with convenient transportation🚌, and complete surrounding facilities🎡.
😜Homestays in villagers' homes: Homestays in the homes of new villagers in Wengding, priced at 80-160 RMB🤑, and you can negotiate the price with the owner if you plan to stay longer🤝.
Wengding Primitive Tribe
visiting ancient towns and villages urban culture and cultural attractions rural beauty Wa tribe primitive tribe Wengding Primitive Tribe is located in Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Yunnan Province. It is a well-preserved primitive communal tribe that has retained the original architectural style of Wa ethnic dwellings and unique local customs. It is considered one of the best-preserved primitive communal villages to date and is also known as the last primitive tribe in China. In 2020, it was rated as a national 4A-level tourist attraction. Unfortunately, it suffered a major fire in 2021, but the rebuilt Wengding still maintains its unique culture and natural landscape. The traditional way of life and cultural customs are well protected and developed, with villagers maintaining the Wa tribe's primitive religion, customs, and lifestyle. The Wa tribe's village gate is an ancillary building to the Wa house architecture and is also the most concrete symbol of a village. The sturdiness of the village gate can reflect the prosperity and decline of the village. The Wa tribe places great importance on the construction of the village gate, which in ancient times not only served to resist invasions by enemies but also to protect against animals and thieves. On the door panels, pillars, and frames, there are carvings or paintings of various figures, hunting dogs, or other images representing defensive actions. In every village, drums are beaten, gongs are struck, and the Wa sing new songs. Chairman Mao's brilliance shines on the borderlands, the mountains laugh, the waters laugh, and the people are joyful. Socialism is good, building a bridge of happiness, the road gets wider and wider as we walk along, these are the lyrics of the new song sung by the Wa people, which once swept across the country. It was originally thought that entering Wengding Village, one would hear this song everywhere, but it was only heard being played on a mobile phone inside a Wa ethnic dwelling. It turns out that this song was born in Ximeng Wa Autonomous County, Pu'er, Yunnan. Ximeng County is located to the south of Wengding Village, about 200 kilometers away. In 2002, Ximeng officially discussed and resolved through the county people's congress to designate 'The Wa People Sing a New Song' as the county song of Ximeng.
⏳Visiting time:
Buy a ticket to visit, the ticket price (including round-trip sightseeing car) is 55 yuan, and the visiting time is 2 to 3 hours.
Cangyuan in Yunnan | Come check in at the Gourd Town
| Come check in at the Gourd Town.
Upon arriving in Cangyuan County, Lincang, Yunnan on the afternoon of the same day, we went to the Gourd Town. The town is located 2Km southwest of Cangyuan County, with convenient transportation, unique culture, and beautiful scenery. It is a cultural and lively tourism complex that integrates 'eating, staying, traveling, touring, shopping, and entertainment'.
Strolling through this small town on the edge of western Yunnan, you can see flowers and plants everywhere, retaining the unique architectural features of the Wa people's dwellings. The walls of the houses are covered with murals rich in Wa ethnic style. The murals are rich in content, depicting the life, rituals, and villages of the ancient Wa ancestors, as well as the modern Wa people's farming, love, and making wooden drums, with vivid images and bright colors.
Recommended dining: roasted suckling pig, chicken mush, Wu King's feast, fire-dried meat, and Wa tribe's rice wine, etc.
If you catch the 'Touch You Black' festival at the end of April, it's even more lively, and you can really get involved haha
Welcome friends who like this to like, collect, follow me, and stay tuned for more exciting content haha
Wengding Wa Royal Mansion
Wa ethnic primitive tribe visiting ancient towns and villages Wa village rural tourism Lincang travel The Wa king's mansion in Wengding was rebuilt in reference to the Banhong king Hu Yushan's mansion. In the seventeenth year of the Guangxu reign of the Qing dynasty, the governor of Yunnan and Guizhou provinces requested the court to reward the Banhong headman for his meritorious service in border dispute mediation, conferring him the title of Banhong Tusi (native chieftain), bestowing the surname Hu, the name Yushan, and allowing his descendants to inherit the title. A copper 'Banhong General Manager Tusi Seal' was issued for hereditary succession. During the Republic of China period, he was again appointed by the Yunnan provincial governor Long Yun as the Banhong General Manager, and in 1934, funds were provided for him to renovate the large house meeting hall built during the Qing dynasty, constructing a Wa king's mansion with a structure and layout similar to ordinary residences, but more spacious and grand, divided into three hearths, among which the main hearth was exclusively for the Wa king. The mansion, known as the Wa king's mansion, served as the office of the Banhong General Manager. After the liberation, his descendants handed over the seal to the state, ending the history of the hereditary chieftainship of Banhong. The structure and layout of the Wa king's mansion are the same as ordinary residences, but it is more spacious and grand, divided into three hearths, among which the main hearth is exclusively for the Wa king. The Wa king's mansion has many goddess pillars, shaped as goddesses standing with raised hands, using wood carving to record parts of the creation epic of Sigangli and its interpretation. The goddess pillars consist of three parts: the head with raised hands, eyes, nose, and mouth; the neck without patterns; and the body with many pattern symbols. Dots represent the stars in the sky, diagonal patterns represent mountains and rivers, swallowtail symbols represent the fire god swallow, tooth patterns represent fruits and harvest, triangular symbols represent the ever-burning hearth, and the horizontal and vertical stripes at the bottom represent the wooden drum that can communicate with the gods.
⏳Tour Time:
Purchase a ticket to visit, the scenic area tour time is 2 to 3 hours.
Wa ethnic traditional dwellings
Wa ethnic primitive tribe Wa hometown mystery Lincang visiting ancient towns and villages slow life in rural towns ethnic minority customs and dances Wengding Village is a natural village under the jurisdiction of Mengjiao Dai, Yi, and Lahu Township in Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province. It is a typical traditional village located in the southwest of Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County. 'Wengding' means a place shrouded in clouds and mist in the Wa language, and it also has the connotation of the spiritual beauty of high mountains, white clouds, and lakes. Wengding Daizhai faces south with its back to the north, and the whole village is shaped like a big chair, surrounded by mountains. The architectural style of the village is uniform, all wooden structures with thatched roofs, divided into two types: stilted and ground-style. The residential buildings include ground houses, stilted houses, and attached structures such as grain storage houses, wooden drum houses, sala houses, Mei Yiji sacrificial houses, and village gates, forming a complete Wa ethnic housing architectural system. The houses are divided into two floors, with the upper floor for living and the lower floor for livestock and poultry activities. Some blacksmith households also have a set of tools for bellows and iron forging on the lower floor. On December 17, 2012, Wengding Village was announced by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, the Ministry of Culture, and the Ministry of Finance as one of the first batch of traditional Chinese villages. On February 14, 2021, at approximately 17:40, on the third day of the Chinese New Year, a fire broke out in Wengding Village, and out of 105 ancient buildings, 101 were burned down, with only 4 remaining intact. After the fire, Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County decided to fully restore the Wa ethnic culture, history, and customs of Wengding Village. After nearly two years of reconstruction, the burned Wengding ancient village has returned to people's view and was reopened on December 28, 2022. The Wengding Village in this note is the rebuilt village, and without looking at the data, one can hardly see the traces of the past fire.
⏳Visiting time:
Buy a ticket to visit, the ticket price is 55 yuan, take an electric car into the village, and the visiting time is 2 to 3 hours.
National Geographic didn't lie to me, this is China's last primitive tribe
🛖 This is the mysterious place mentioned in 'Chinese National Geographic', the last primitive village in China! It's also the filming location for 'Ghost Blows Out the Light: The Valley of the Worms in Yunnan', doesn't it have a super cinematic feel? 😮💨
🗿 Over 100 households used to live here, with a history of more than 400 years! It's not only the birthplace of the Wa people of the world but also the village where the traditional culture of the Wa people is best preserved. If you want to experience the most primitive Wa customs, this is the right place! 👌
🍃 Located in Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan, surrounded by mountains, it feels like being embraced by nature. That primitive and mysterious feeling, as if even time can't do anything about it! 😌
🎊 As soon as you enter the village, the villagers welcome you with singing and dancing, and they even say blessings to you! It feels like coming home, super warm! 🥰
🍃 In the village, you can see the Wa people resting in every corner, and they will greet you warmly. Although you can't understand their local language, their smiles are really super healing! 😊
🪘 Inside the Wa village, traditional Wa architecture is preserved - the dry-column style thatched roof 'Cha Cha' houses, as well as various primitive bamboo and wood utensils. There are also Wa village gates, village posts, 'Sa La' houses, and other traditional culture and folk crafts, it's simply a cultural treasure trove! 🏺
🪇 Here are some travel tips!
1️⃣ Remember that water spraying starts at 10 am to cool down, so remember to hide inside the houses when it happens.
2️⃣ You can also experience Wa facial painting, which is super cool! 🎨 There are also various performance activities, such as Wa love songs, Lamu drums, hair-swinging dances, and more, all with a strong ethnic flavor.
3️⃣ Specialty snacks and tea are also free, which is a great deal! 🍵🍚
🛖 The location is the Wengding Primitive Tribe.
Located on the Nanmang Section Road of Wengding Village, Mengjiao Township, Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province.
The opening hours are from 9 am to 5 pm
Adult tickets (including round-trip sightseeing car) are only 55 yuan, and children/elderly tickets are only 38 yuan! 🎫
Come here to experience the charm of the primitive tribe! 👣
China's Last Primitive Tribe | Complete Guide to the Wengding Primitive Tribe
⭕️Location
The Wengding Primitive Tribe is located in Cangyuan County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, which is quite far away. It is recommended to either fly directly to Cangyuan from Kunming or find a way to get to Lincang (which has high-speed rail) and then take a bus there. If you want to avoid hassle, it's better to choose to fly ✈️
⭕️Mini Guide
🎫Scenic Area Transportation
It takes half an hour to drive from Cangyuan to the Wengding scenic area, and you can either drive yourself or hire a car to get there. Additionally, there are regular buses from Cangyuan to Wengding, with many departures each day; you can check at the Cangyuan bus station
🎫Tourism Strategy
1⃣️You cannot drive your own car into the scenic area; you need to switch to an electric shuttle at the main entrance. It's also recommended to purchase tickets online in advance, and it's advisable to buy a combo ticket that includes the electric shuttle, rather than the one that includes a meal...
2⃣️There is always a welcome ceremony performance at the entrance of the village, which you can see upon arrival. Once you enter the village, you can start exploring 😄
3⃣️The village mainly revolves around three viewing platforms, and once you've visited all three, you've pretty much seen the whole village ⬇️
✨First Viewing Platform: This platform is not that great as the view is obstructed by houses, but if you want to see the Wa King, you need to go to this platform 👀
✨Second Viewing Platform: This platform is the most worth visiting, with an unbeatable view, and you can also buy Wengding's exclusive milk tea there 🥤
✨Third Viewing Platform: Located right next to the Wa King's Palace, the view is rather ordinary, but you can see the beautiful mountains and fields outside the village 🥉
4⃣️There are many experiential activities in the village, don't miss out
✨The Wa King's Village has Wa ethnic singing performances, and there are Wa ethnic situational drama performances under the second viewing platform. There are also wooden drum dance performances (cancelled if it rains) and daily fire drill performances (which are said to be super impressive, you can look it up)
✨In the village, you can also taste Wa ethnic cuisine, such as Wa tea at the Wa King's Palace, as well as chicken rice, rice wine, and rice cakes. Just follow the signs to find them 🧐
5⃣️Other worthwhile experiences: Outside the Wa King's Palace, you can experience Wa ethnic face painting, and you can also try on Wa ethnic costumes for a photo shoot. There are also many Wa people in the village, so those who like to capture human culture should not miss out
6⃣️If you have time, you can also visit the new Wengding village (accessible by electric shuttle), where the terraced fields are very beautiful.
Overall, it's a pity that the old Wengding village was burned down, and the current village certainly doesn't have the same history and liveliness, but the reconstructed village is still quite nice. It has been restored with an effort to maintain its original appearance as much as possible, and it's worth a visit 👍
Designated by National Geographic as China's last primitive tribe
🛖 This place has been honored by 'China National Geographic' magazine as the last primitive village in China, and it is also the filming location for 'Candle in the Tomb: The Worm Valley' in Yunnan.
🗿 It was once home to more than 100 households, with a history of over 400 years, and is the original birthplace of the Wa people in the world. It is also the village where Wa traditional culture is most completely preserved.
🍃 Located in Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan, the village is surrounded by mountains. This primordial and mysterious atmosphere seems impenetrable even by time.
🎊 Upon entering the village, the villagers will welcome you with singing and dancing, offer you a blessing, and warmly invite you to join in, immediately immersing you in the village atmosphere.
🍃 In the village, Wa people rest in every corner, greeting you warmly even though you may not understand their local language. Still, their smiles are infectious. In a distant house, an elder warmly invites me to sit down for tea, holding my hand and asking about my well-being, spreading a grandfatherly warmth in my heart.
🪘 The village preserves the Wa traditional architecture—stilted thatched 'Cha Cha' houses, uses the most primitive bamboo and wooden utensils, and maintains traditional cultural elements such as village gates, village posts, 'Sa La' houses, singing grounds, sacrificial houses, drum houses, human head posts, ox head posts, sacred groves, hand mills, foot mills, water mills, as well as folk crafts like weaving and dyeing.
🪇 Travel tips:
1. Water is sprayed regularly starting at 10 am for cooling; remember to take shelter inside a house during the spray.
2. You can experience Wa facial painting and immerse yourself in the local culture.
3. There are multiple performances throughout the day, including Wa love songs, drum playing, hair-swinging dances, traditional sacrifices, etc. Wa tea, rice wine, chicken porridge, and other local snacks and beverages are free.
🛖 Location: Wengding Primitive Tribe
📍 Address: Nanmang Section Road, Wengding Village, Mengjiao Township, Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province
⏰ Opening hours: 9:00~17:00
🎫 Ticket (including round-trip sightseeing car): Adults 55, Children/Elderly 38
Villages of the World, the Secret Realm of Cangyuan
If you want to check in at Wengding Village during the holiday, you can refer to this guide that was completed at 3 a.m.
It is recommended to choose a plane plus a bus as your means of transportation. Depart from Changshui Airport at 10 a.m., arrive at Cangyuan Wa Mountains Airport at 11 a.m., taking 1 hour. Then take a bus from the airport entrance for 1 hour to reach Wengding Village, where the villagers at the entrance will welcome you with song and dance, offering you auspicious blessings.
The first stop is the Lame Drum Sacrifice, which is a grand ceremony that the whole village participates in. Tourists can also join in the Lame Drum, but safety should be kept in mind.
The second stop is interacting with the villagers, where everyone forms a circle and sings and dances together.
The third stop is the Wa King's Mansion, where you can experience the real tea brewing around the stove. After coming out, there is also local face painting, and ladies can rent a set of clothes to go to the viewing platform to take a couple of beautiful photos.
The fourth stop is the old Wengding Village, where you can watch the Wa ethnic costume show.
The last stop is the village's viewing platform, where you can see the entire Wengding Village, especially when the smart fire-fighting water spray is very beautiful.
For meals, you can choose the Wengding Restaurant outside the scenic area, and in the evening, you can go to Hulutown to experience the fire pit wine song. These two places require an additional fee, and those who like camping can also choose to cam
China's last primitive tribe
There are no written words, everything can be expressed in song. Guarding the purity, innocence and passion of a nation. In Wengding Wa Village, you can ask for tea, ask for chicken porridge, ask for glutinous rice Ai cake to taste, ask for songs to listen to, ask for stories to chat, except for the 50 yuan/person entrance fee (including sightseeing car), no charge. The happiness here has little to do with how much money, the quiet here is not related to worldly thoughts, the peace here is guarded by the Wa's faith.
7-day 6-night dream-seeking trip to the primitive tribe of Wengding in Yunnan
⭕️This mysterious tribe, known to few, has been reborn from the ashes,
as if it has awakened us all at once:
If there is a landscape you yearn for, be sure to go and see it,
don't let missing it become a permanent regret!
Follow the dream-seeking Wengding,
enter the world's lowland, the secret Cangyuan,
together to make up for the past regrets...
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⭕️Itinerary reference:
D1: Gathering in Kunming
D2: Kunming--Huayao Dai Folk Village--Ailao Mountain (Nan'en Waterfall--Shimenxia--Tea Horse Ancient Road)
D3: Sunrise in Ailao Mountain--Jinshan Primitive Forest--Huaguoshan Forest Park
D4: Kilometer-long National Painting Corridor--Cangyuan Cliff Painting--Sigangli
D5: Gourd Town--Wengding Primitive Tribe
D6: Lincang--Mojiang Tropic of Cancer Marker Park--Confucius Temple
D7: Mojiang--Fuxian Lake---Kunming disband
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⭕️Some scenic spots reference:
📍Mysterious Ailao Mountain--Nan'en Waterfall
Only by visiting the waterfall can you feel the power of nature.
📍Sigangli
Kilometer-long National Painting Corridor, a landscape painting naturally formed by rocks.
📍Cangyuan Cliff Painting
Regarded as a sacred place by the low tribe
📍Wengding
The last primitive tribe in China
📍Mojiang
The place where the sun turns
📍Fuxian Lake
A little-known romantic place
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Wengding, the last primitive tribe in China
Wengding in Wa language means a place shrouded in clouds and mist, and it also has the meaning of the beauty of high mountains, white clouds and lakes. Wengding is a Wa village with a history of nearly 400 years, located in Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province. The whole village is shaped like a big chair, surrounded by continuous mountains. The architectural style of the village is unified, all of which are wooden structures with thatched roofs, divided into stilted and grounded types. Because of this primitive Wa ethnic residential architectural style and the local customs of the Wa people, it is called the last primitive tribe in China.
⛰【Travel Guide】
📍Detailed address:
Wengding Ancient Village, Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province
🚗Transportation guide:
Lincang Airport or Cangyuan Airport (Cangyuan Airport is closer but has fewer flights), high-speed rail can reach Lincang and then it is recommended to drive by yourself
🕙Opening hours:
All day
💰Ticket price:
55 yuan/person
🌟Highlights:
1. The village gate has a ceremony of touching your black dots, which is a paint used by the Wa people to pray and pray. 2. There are fire pit gatherings in the village, and respected elders will invite everyone to drink tea and tell stories. 3. You can rent Wa costumes for photos inside, and sometimes there are paintings. 4. Be sure to check the activity schedule when buying tickets. There are different programs and performances. If you can catch up with the drum ceremony, it will be full of ritual sense. 5. There are three viewing platforms. The second viewing platform can overlook the whole village. If the timing is right, you can also see the fire sprinkling water, which is very spectacular. 6. You must go to the sacred forest. After 1958, human head sacrifices are no longer used, and now they are replaced with cow heads, but they are also very spectacular. 7. Respect the local ethnic customs, and the locals are also very enthusiastic.
📌Small Tips: Respect the customs of the Wa people: If you refuse the warm invitation of the villagers, it will be considered disrespectful to the customs of the Wa people. Be quiet during the sacrificial ceremony.
The last primitive tribe in China
Location: Wengding Ancient Village, Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province
Ticket price: 55 yuan/person (including sightseeing car)
Parking: Free parking in the scenic area
Transportation: Lincang Airport or Cangyuan Airport (Cangyuan Airport is closer but has fewer flights), high-speed rail can reach Lincang and then it is recommended to drive by yourself
Tips:
1 There is a black dot nodding ceremony at the village gate, which is a paint used by the Wa people for blessings and prayers
2 There is a fire pond round stove storytelling meeting in the village, and the respected elders will invite everyone to drink tea and tell stories
3 You can rent Wa costumes for photos inside, and sometimes there are paintings
4 When buying tickets, be sure to check the activity schedule, there are different programs and performances, and you can catch up with the drum ceremony
5 There are three viewing platforms, and the second viewing platform can overlook the whole village. If the time is right, you can also see the fire sprinkler, which is very spectacular
6 You must go to the sacred forest. After 1958, human head sacrifices are no longer used, and now cow heads are used instead, but it is also very spectacular
Respect the local ethnic customs, and the locals are also very enthusiastic
|Food
Zai Shuai Rice Dry, Palace Dai Flavor Cold Noodles, Ah Liang Thai Flavor Snacks, Mo Hei Breakfast, Pa Dang Dai Xiang Yun, Menglian One Yuan Barbecue, Hermes Roast Chicken, 20-year-old Shop Breakfast, Shang Yun Jiao Village (a lot of farmhouses, it is best to call in advance to ask if they are open, it is normal for the restaurant to be deserted due to the low consumption level of the locals, and it is not that they are not delicious)
Places to go
| Nayun Ancient Town The last Dai ancient town in China
The ancient town is right next to the Nayun Bridge, the car is parked at the entrance of the General Buddha Temple, you can stroll along every road, three temples and one office are all concentrated here. Along the way, eat Zai Shuai Rice Dry, the Dai Flavor Palace Cold Noodles at the entrance of the Xuanfu Office (closed on Mondays). If you catch up with the local festival, there will be many food stalls on the riverside food street.
,|Boutique Coffee Street
On the side of the ancient town, you can walk down (there is also a parking lot at the entrance). Many estate stores are concentrated here, the environment is average, if you are interested in coffee, it is recommended to go for a drink and chat and buy beans.
·|The vegetable market must go in the morning to be exciting
It is divided into large and small farmers' markets. The large market navigates the "Nayun Town Farmers' Market", which has indoor and outdoor, is relatively large, can park, and the local recommended "Mo Hei Breakfast Shop" is very delicious! The small farmers' market is particularly small, and the products are a little bit more peculiar, there is no need to go specially, park the car at the entrance of the General Buddha Temple and walk across the river for a few minutes.
I Coffee Shop
Hot Wave Coffee, Wanderer's Restaurant, Mangmang Village (highly recommended), LIKE
"Mystery of Wengding - China's Last Primitive Tribe"
During the Spring Festival in 2021, a shocking and regrettable news quickly spread: Wengding Village, China's last primitive tribe, was basically burnt down by a big fire.
What is the current state of the Wengding tribe?
Is it still a burnt ruin, or has it risen from the ashes like a phoenix?
On the morning of December 24, the sky was gloomy, and the weather forecast predicted long periods of moderate rain, but we still insisted on going to Wengding.
Wengding is about 25 kilometers away from Cangyuan County, with excellent road conditions. After passing through a newly built tunnel about 2 kilometers long, we saw a large stone tablet at the intersection: "Wengding Primitive Tribe", and one of the 'A' characters in the 4A scenic spot logo below was chiseled off. We felt a chill in our hearts, could it be that Wengding has not been successfully rebuilt?
We parked the car in the parking lot outside the scenic area, got off the car, and changed to the scenic area's electric car. The car drove on the three-kilometer mountain road, the mountain wind was biting, and we were shivering with cold. At the entrance of the scenic area, the stone tablets of "Wengding - China's Last Primitive Tribe" and "Wengding Wa Ethnic Traditional Residential Buildings" were prominently displayed.
Wa men and women in ethnic costumes welcomed us with songs and dances. We met an old man who was walking briskly. Upon asking, he was already 85 years old and happily took a photo with us. We walked through the village entrance shaded by huge trees, passed the wooden stakes hanging with cow skull, entered the village gate, and saw a square. At this time, we could see clearly that Wengding Village was surrounded by mountains on all sides, and it was almost isolated from the outside world without the tunnel.
On the top of the eastern mountain, a ray of sunlight broke through the clouds and shone into the village, warming our bodies instantly. We saw hundreds of stilted thatched houses of different sizes with '人' shaped roofs, distributed along the mountain and the path, arranged in a staggered manner, which was very beautiful. Except for the lack of smoke marks from cooking on the thatched roofs, it was almost identical to the photos before the fire.
The stilted thatched houses are generally used for stacking firewood or raising livestock on the lower level, and people live on the upper level, cooking and sleeping around the fire pit. But now no one lives in them. Most of the tribal residents moved into the new village as early as 2018, and only a few villagers were unwilling to move into the new houses, so there was a fire caused by an eight-year-old child playing with fire.
The scenes of men farming and women weaving that can be seen everywhere in the tribe are all reenacted by Wa villagers for tourists, even if there are few tourists.
Around the tribe, ancient trees tower into the sky, the vegetation is lush, the mountains are clear and the water is beautiful, giving a sense of paradise. Mountain springs are led into the village through bamboo pipe water troughs, and the water in the pond is deep and clear. Climbing up to the high platform of the Wa King's Mansion, you can overlook the tribe. Below the tribe's mountain are terraced fields, and the red rice and corn that are planted have been harvested. Every October, the tribe holds a New Rice Festival, where people dress up and sing and dance, creating a lively atmosphere.
The so-called primitive refers to the primitive nature of dwellings, production, lifestyle, and social structure. Today's Wengding tribe, apart from the architectural group after the reconstruction of the old village still maintaining the primitive appearance, the actual production and lifestyle of the tribal residents have been modernized. But when we see the primitive life scenes performed by the Wa villagers in the tribe, we are still full of interest and feel a strong sense of time travel and curiosity.
On the way back, we passed by the new village of Wengding. We saw clean and flat roads, two or even three-story new houses with black tiles in every household, small courtyards decorated with flowers, and many electric cars, farm vehicles or even cars parked at the door. We casually walked into a house, and the host enthusiastically invited us in for tea. Is this a "primitive tribe"? It's clearly a new socialist countryside!
Zuyin·Sigangli, experience the Wa culture up close
At the end of the year, I came to the Sigangli Performing Arts Center Theater in Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province, to watch the large-scale original Wa song and dance drama 'Zuyin·Sigangli'. The drama is composed of five chapters: the creation ancient song, thanksgiving to heaven and earth, farming praise, new Wa song, and attachment to Wa mountain, with unique elements such as Wa village, cliff painting, knife dance, and rice pounding, showing the production and life scenes of the Wa people, allowing the audience to experience the Wa culture up close. Cangyuan Sigangli Scenic Area
Standing on the bottom of the pit, looking up at the sky, the rock mass at the mouth of the pit is like a natural frame, which transforms the beautiful world outside and transforms it into the most fascinating work.
Looking up at the bottom of the pit towards the sky, although there are fewer floating clouds and white clouds companionship, the waterfall that falls from the air, like a pillar of the sky, is magnificently down. Dive, add a dynamic to the original quiet picture.
Into the depths of the bottom of the pit, I thought it would be a deadly thing that is hard to live with, but I never thought that if I really entered, I saw a booming life. All kinds of green plants embellish the entire tiankeng with a garden-like greenery.
When I was traveling in Wuyuan, I watched a unique performance of the Dai Shigangli style performance. The visual shock from beginning to end was full of wildness and enjoyment.
The origin of the Yi people, the myths and legends of "Sigori" are widely circulated. According to the interpretation of the Yiyuan Yi people, Siegang is Hulu and Li is Out, meaning the person who comes out of the Hulu; according to the interpretation of the Ximeng Yi people, Sigang is Shidong. "Li" is "out", meaning "people come out of the cave." Although the Yi people in different places have different interpretations of "Shi Gangli", they all regard the Mount Ayi as the birthplace of human beings.
In the central area of Mount Ayi, although the private ownership of production materials has been established, it still retains the remains of the original rural communes. Each village has a certain geographical scope, including one to several natural villages. The arable land of each village is generally 10% to 20% publicly owned by the village. Most of the cultivated land and production tools, houses, livestock, weapons, and daily necessities are owned by individual families and individuals.
The most worshipped by the Yi people is the "Mu Yi Ji" god, which is regarded as the highest god "ghost" who dominates everything and creates everything on earth. The larger religious activities carried out by the Yi people, such as the Lamu drum, the chopping of the tail of the cow and the head of the hunter, were held to sacrifice it. Near each Yi village, there is a dense forest with towering trees. The Yi people call it "Long Meiji", which is "Ghost Woodland".
TIPS:
1, there is already an airport direct flight in Wuyuan County, and there is no need to fly to Linyi.
2, the show only has one game per week and starts at 7pm. In the case of major festivals, it may be added.
In Wuyuan County, Linyi City, Yunnan Province, there is a small village called Manghe, hidden in the mountains. Wuyuan County is bordered by Myanmar. It is a concentrated area of the Yi people. 85% of the county is a Yi people. The Yi people in this county account for 40% of the national Yi population.
To experience the true national customs, you must work hard and go to the countryside. This is not a tourist attraction in the traditional sense. There is no tourist at all. The nearest scenic spot to this village is the Nangunhe Nature Reserve if it can be called a scenic spot. Beasts in the reserve are infested, tourists must be very cautious when they want to get off the bus, and the mountain roads are not easy to walk. Very few people will find it here. The road in the village is very narrow, the car can't enter, the road is about 500 meters away from the entrance to the village. The open space on the roadside is the parking lot, and you must walk into the village. The villagers are good at using local resources. The mountain spring water is led down by bamboo, and it becomes a natural tap water with clear water quality. There is a temple in the village. Most of the monks are small children and young adults. This is very common in temples in Yunnan. Temples are not only a place to practice, but also a school.
The branches of the village are leafy, even in the cold winter, it will not be cold here. It is green and oily all the year round, and the village is natural and simple.
The mountains are neat terraces. Yunnan's mountainous area, Wuyuan County is even more so, there is not much arable land, local people are experts who are good at using the mountains.
Weng Ding Village, Wuyuan County, Yunnan Province, is known as the last primitive tribe in China. Wuyuan County and Myanmar's Shan State border, Weng Ding is about 33 kilometers away from Wuyuan County. This is a village that has entered the modern society directly from the primitive society. There are more than 100 households with a history of more than 400 years. The sky of Yunnan, the purity of blue. The Yi people live here. This ethnic group has a small population. A "Auntie singing new songs" let us know that such a minority is living in the Ayi Mountain.
When entering the village, there are local people at the gate of the stockade, ringing the wooden drum, pointing a little black paint on your eyebrows, and singing and welcoming. The wooden drum has a special status in the Yi village. The Yi people's Lamu drum was a major ritual in the past and has gradually become a performance project. The village wall in the center of the village is a symbol of this village.
The house is the most traditional bamboo and wood structure, the roof is covered with thatch, the building is made from local materials, and there is a large bamboo forest next to the village. The house is usually a two-story structure with people living on the upper floor.
is the largest house in the village. Into the king's palace, the fire in the fire pond is burning. The locals treat guests with a large leafy tea that tastes bitter, and of course drops a few drops on the ground before drinking. The fire in the fire pond is endless all year round. The locals believe that the extinction of the fire pit symbolizes unlucky. On the side of the village, there is a row of heads.
Wuyuan Wending, a Yi women sitting in their own courtyard brocade, Jin is the legend of the beautiful and beautiful of the Ayi Mountain. According to legend, the "King" of the brocade is borrowed from the "Jin" of the beautiful scenery, which means to use the natural scenery. Rich and varied beauty to describe the colorful beauty of the brocade. People who have seen the Yi brocade in the Ayi Mountain almost have a feeling that the brocade is like a rainbow, beautiful and natural. Each pattern is like a picture of the environment and life of the Yi people. Never forget. The
Yu people in the old saying mean "people living in the mountains." Because the Yi people are located in remote areas of China, they have been in the slash-and-burn stage of primitive society before liberation. After liberation, they have transitioned to modern society, leaving many imprints of primitive society.
It is not difficult to see that Weng Dingzhai retains the original Yi folk house architecture style and the original Dai ethnic customs. It is the best preserved original group village so far, and it has been praised as the last primitive tribe in China by National Geographic magazine.
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