A Living Scroll of the Borderland: The Scholarly Charm of Heshun Ancient Town

A Hidden Gem on the Southern Silk Road

Located just 4 kilometers southwest of Tengchong City in Yunnan Province, Heshun Ancient Town (Heshun Guzhen) is a serene and culturally rich settlement that has preserved the charm of the Ming and Qing dynasties. Unlike the bustling commercialism often found in other tourist destinations, Heshun retains a "living" atmosphere where history breathes through the daily lives of its residents. The town's name, originally "Yangwenthun" (阳温暾), meaning "warm sun and smooth breezes," was later changed to Heshun (meaning "Harmonious and Smooth") to reflect the river that gently winds through the village. Historically, this was a crucial stop on the Ancient Tea Horse Road and the Southwest Silk Road, serving as a gateway for trade between China, Myanmar (Burma), and India. For centuries, the people of Heshun utilized this route to "Go West" (Zou Yi Fang), venturing abroad to do business, eventually transforming Heshun into a renowned "Hometown of Overseas Chinese" and a "Living Fossil of Border Culture".

The Architecture of "Three Bays and One Screen Wall"

Walking along the polished blue stone slabs of Heshun’s streets feels like stepping into an architectural museum. The town is famous for its magnificent cluster of ancient residential buildings, which blend the traditional "Hui style" of Central Plains architecture with Western and Southeast Asian decorative elements—a testament to the town's overseas connections. The houses typically follow the layout of "Three Bays and One Screen Wall" or "Four Joins and Five Patios," characterized by heavy eaves, green tiles, and intricate wood carvings on doors and windows. Notable structures include the Eight Great Ancestral Halls (such as the Liu and Yin Family Halls), which stand as majestic symbols of the clans' prosperity and the deep-rooted Confucian tradition of valuing family lineage. These buildings are not just empty shells; they are filled with the smoke of daily life, where locals still live, chat, and work, preserving a sense of authentic "fire and smoke" that is rare in modern tourism.

A Village of Scholars and Libraries

1.What truly sets: Heshun apart from other ancient towns is its profound respect for culture and education. It is famously home to the Heshun Library, the largest rural library in China. Founded in 1928 by overseas Chinese to bring knowledge back to their roots, this library houses a collection of over 70,000 books, including rare ancient texts from the turn of the 20th century. The building itself is a masterpiece of Chinese and Western architectural fusion. Adjacent to the library is the Wenchang Palace, the "cradle of education" for the village. Heshun is also the birthplace of the famous philosopher Ai Siqi, whose former residence remains a key cultural site. This emphasis on learning has earned Heshun the title of a "Village of Culture," where farming and reading have coexisted for generations.

The Unique "Washerwomen's Pavilions" and Pastoral Beauty

2.One of the most distinctive features of: Heshun is the series of Washerwomen's Pavilions (Xiyiting) scattered along the riverbanks. These covered structures were built by men who had traveled abroad and returned wealthy; they constructed them to shelter their wives and mothers from the scorching sun and rain while they washed clothes by the river. This heartwarming detail reflects the tenderness and care inherent in the town's culture. Beyond the architecture, Heshun offers stunning pastoral scenery. The village is surrounded by dormant volcanoes and faces a vast expanse of wetlands and lotus ponds. In the spring, golden rapeseed flowers carpet the fields, while the summer brings green willows and blooming lotuses. Visitors can take a boat ride on the wild duck lake (Ye Ya Hu), watch the waterwheels turn in the stream, or simply sit by the Dragon Pool (Longtan) at Yuanlong Pavilion to enjoy the tranquility of this "land of idyllic beauty".