[2024 Deqin Attraction] Travel Guide for Cizhong Village (Updated Nov)
Hiking
Villages
Address:
Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Recommended sightseeing time:
0.5-1 day
A century-old key cultural relic, Cizhong Catholic Church.
📍Address: Cizhong Catholic Church is located in Cizhong Village, 80 km from Shengping Town, Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. Cizhong Village is located in the Lancang River Gorge, surrounded by mountains and water, beautiful and quiet.
🚗Transportation: Self-driving is recommended.
[One]Bus: There are buses from Deqin to Cizhong Bridge, which take about 1.5 hours. Cizhong Village is located on the road above Cizhong Bridge, with a small shop by the bridge. The roads in the village are relatively good, and you can find the church on foot.
[Two]Self-driving: Self-driving is relatively convenient. Cizhong Catholic Church is usually a stop on the itinerary, where you can enjoy the scenery along the way and visit the church.
👍️Must-see attractions:
[One]Main church building: The church faces east, with a combination of Chinese and Western architectural styles. It has Western elements such as bell towers, crosses, and chapels supported by arcades, as well as Chinese-style pavilions and flying eaves. Climb the bell tower for a panoramic view of Cizhong Village.
[Two]Vineyard: There are large vineyards around the church. The grapes here are excellent varieties from Bordeaux, France. You can still see the winemaking tools used by French missionaries.
[Three]Century-old trees: There are two lush trees in the backyard of the church, one eucalyptus and one laurel, both planted by missionaries with seeds brought from Europe, and they are now nearly a century old.
🎟️Tickets: Free admission, but often under renovation and inaccessible.
💗Other tips: Cizhong Catholic Church was built in the sixth year of the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, originally in Zigou Village, and was built by French missionaries. It was burned down by the people in the 18th year of the Guangxu period and rebuilt in Cizhong Village in the 26th year of the Guangxu period. In 1921, Cizhong Church was completed and became the seat of the bishop of the "Yunnan Diocese" of the Catholic Church.
NovaSerenity
Diqing Tour (3) - Cizhong Church
At dusk, we approached Cizhong Village in Deqin County, where Cizhong Church is located. The Lancang River lies between Cizhong Village and the Dewei Highway. A modern bridge spans the river, but it was closed for repairs at that time, allowing only pedestrian access. Fortunately, it was only about 1 kilometer from the bridge to the church. When we arrived at the church, we found the gate locked, so we took the opportunity to explore the village, observing the residents' houses and the new village built by the government for relocated households. When we returned to the church, the gate was open, rewarding our sincere effort to visit the church.
Cizhong Church is an impressive structure, blending Chinese and Western styles. It was built in 1921 with funds from the Qing government as compensation for the Weixi Incident. Next to the church, there is a vegetable garden and a vineyard belonging to the church, and the graves of three missionaries are located in the garden. On May 25, 2006, Cizhong Church was listed as a national key cultural relic protection unit by the State Council. We wanted to visit Cizhong Church partly because of its reputed beauty and partly out of curiosity about how Catholicism took root in such a remote area. The sight of the church and the graves made us ponder deeply. In the 19th century, French missionaries left their homeland and traveled thousands of miles to Yunnan, bringing with them a foreign religion, as well as coffee seeds, grape cultivation, and winemaking techniques. In the process of spreading their religion, they built the church with Chinese architectural elements to better integrate with the local culture. They even adopted Chinese names and wore Chinese clothing. Some shed their blood in religious conflicts, while others spent their entire lives preaching and were buried locally. Putting aside politics, religion, culture, and nationality, the dedication of these missionaries is not only commendable but also worthy of universal admiration.
As night fell, the valley grew darker, and we rested in Yanmen Township, preparing to admire the magnificent Meili Snow Mountain the next day.
ByteBuster
Every small village has places worth remembering | Passing through Cizhong Village in Deqin
On the way from Weixi to Deqin, there is such a small village
Although most of the houses are newly built self-constructed homes
And do not retain the quaint and tranquil feeling
But here stands a century-old church
It has also been rated as one of the ten most distinctive churches in China
That is the Cizhong Catholic Church⛪️
⛪️The church was originally built in 1867 during the Qing Dynasty by French missionaries
It was later destroyed due to religious conflicts,
But was rebuilt in 1909, taking 12 years to complete.
Unfortunately, it was not open when we visited
We could only take a look from the outside
The church's bell tower has three stories
The roof features traditional Chinese-style flying eaves
At the top of the bell tower stands a cross
Back then, the missionaries also brought over the equipment and techniques for making Gandi wine
They taught the local people how to cultivate grapes and make wine, a tradition that continues to this day. So if you want to understand the history of wine here, you can go to 'Kawaka Jiu'
🍇Cizhong Wine House
Taste the hundred-year tradition of naturally fermented dry red wine
The owner is very enthusiastic
He told us that once every household in the village made wine
But now very few do
However, their family's old house and wine cellar have been preserved
Even though it is surrounded by new buildings
Thanks to the owner's careful creation and maintenance
The old house is still very beautiful, and the courtyard is full of succulents
We visited the underground wine cellar
Inside, in addition to the winemaking tools
There are also many treasured old photos
French missionaries, the look of Cizhong Village a hundred years ago, and more can all be seen here
📍Address: Cizhong Church
Located in Cizhong Village, Deqin County, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province
Right by the Lancang River, with the Lancang River scenery all along the way
🚗Transportation: It is best to drive yourself, it can serve as a rest stop between Weixi and Deqin County, just come and take a look
🎫Tickets: The church is free, whether you can enter to visit depends on your luck
💐In March, flowers are blooming everywhere in Yunnan, with peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, and pear blossoms all along the way～
madeline93ozumv
Explore Nanjiluo, the most comprehensive guide is here!
🚶If you plan to go to Nanjiluo, be sure to read carefully! This is the experience I have explored step by step!💯
🏡
Three days and two nights: On the way to the journey🚌-Hiking🚶-On the way back
Four days and three nights: On the way to the journey🚌-Hiking🚶-Hiking🚶-On the way back
🏘Understanding the order of the route is very important:
Deqin Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (Shangri-La·Deqin)-Deqin County-Badi Township-Cizhong Village/Achidaga Village-Nanjie Luo Village (belongs to Achidaga Village)
🚗The self-driving route is the same~
In addition, you can choose Zhenpu Village next to Achidaga Village.🤗
🚌Shangri-La-Deqin County-Badi Township Achidaga Village, the whole journey is about 6h🕙
⬇Search for Shangri-La passenger transport on WeChat, buy a bus ticket to Deqin, the fare is ¥68. After arriving at Deqin Passenger Station, transfer to the commercial vehicle of Badi Township residents to Cizhong Village/Achidaga Village, the fare is ¥50 (remember to contact in advance), the driver will directly Send to the door of the accommodation.
❗Don't go to Badi Township, Cizhong and Achidaga are villages that will pass by on the way to Badi Township. If you go to Badi, you have to take another taxi to return!😣
1⃣About accommodation (be sure to contact in advance)🛏
a. Cizhong: a larger village with more accommodation options, more than ¥100 per night. It takes about 20 minutes from here to the foot of Nanjiluo Mountain. You can directly book a carpool with the accommodation owner to enter the mountain.
b. Achidaga: It is at the foot of Nanjiluo Mountain, more than ¥100 per night. There is only one accommodation here, and dining and shopping are all here. Remember to make an appointment with the boss for the car into the mountain when booking the accommodation, and don't forget to confirm with the boss before leaving.
c. Nanjieluo: You can live in the homes of villagers in the mountains.
2⃣About entering Nanjiluo🚶
A. Driver + guide
In order to protect the ecological environment, it must be driven by local villagers to enter. If it is a carpool and encounters a non-local driver, you need to change the car again at the door.
B. Guide and driver
The villagers of Nanjiluo, no need to change cars in the middle, can charter or carpool.
3⃣About Nanjiluo 🏞
It takes about 2 hours to drive into the scenic spot and walk to the starting point of Lake No. 3. The scenery along the way is picturesque, like a primitive forest.
Lake No. 5 is the most beautiful, and Lake No. 6 is like Abujicuo.
a. Lakes 1-3 + the mountain road into the scenic spot, also suitable for hiking, suitable for fast hikers.
b. Small loop line Lakes 3-5, suitable for beginners.
c. Large loop line Lakes 3-9, need to hike for about 6h, not suitable for beginners and friends who are on a leisure tour, you must have a guide to lead the way.
❗❗Final reminder💛
There are many national treasure-level plants in the scenic area, please do not pick!🙅
Also, please do not leave any garbage, the villagers love the environment here very much.🙅
🤩Let's explore the mysterious beauty of Nanjiluo together!🌄