Ruili Ancient Town: A Border Oasis of Culture and Tranquility

As the first rays of dawn pierce through the misty air, illuminating ancient banyan trees and gilded pagodas, Ruili Ancient Town awakens from its slumber, radiating a serene ambiance that transcends borders. More than just a "city" confined by walls, Ruili is a vibrant cultural oasis that has matured over centuries, nestled in the southwestern frontier of China, sharing mountains and rivers with Myanmar. It stands as a vital stop along the ancient Southern Silk Road and a testament to the enduring friendship between China and Myanmar. The heart of Ruili Ancient Town centers around the Jiele Golden Pagoda, Nongmo Lake, and clusters of Dai ethnic villages, its cultural influence spreading far and wide. Situated at an altitude of approximately 800 meters, the town enjoys a mild and humid climate. While not a UNESCO World Heritage site, Ruili's unique "One Village Two Countries" and "One Well Two Countries" phenomena, coupled with its rich Dai and Jingpo ethnic customs, have earned it high praise and popularity among seasoned travelers and culture enthusiasts, solidifying its status as a hidden gem in western Yunnan's tourism crown.

1.Ruili Ancient: Town’s unparalleled appeal lies in its distinctive "border sensibility" and "integration." Here, the national border is not a cold, stark division, but a meandering bamboo fence, a shared well, or connecting pathways. In Yin Jing Village, known as "One Village Two Countries," you can witness Chinese melon vines climbing over Burmese bamboo fences and bearing fruit, or a Burmese hen laying eggs in a Chinese courtyard. This seamless integration of daily life shapes Ruili Ancient Town’s peaceful and inclusive character. It is not only a geographical boundary but also a frontier where diverse cultures collide and coexist. A visit here will grant you more than just scenery; it offers a profound understanding of "boundaries" and "connections," an immersive journey into Dai bamboo houses, the shadows of Southern Buddhist pagodas, and the vibrant atmosphere of border trade markets.

2.The soul of Ruili Ancient: Town is deeply rooted in its long history as a crucial point on the Southern Silk Road (the Shu-Shen-Du Road). As early as several centuries BC, the sound of horse caravans echoed through this land, transporting Chinese silk and tea to Myanmar and India, while gems and ivory from Southeast Asia entered the Central Plains. This basin area historically served as the center of the Dai people's ancient Meng Mao Kingdom, and its long rule under the Tusi system fostered a deep and unique Dai cultural foundation. The Ming Dynasty established the Luchuan-Pingmian Pacification Commission here, and throughout the Qing Dynasty and the Republic of China period, it remained an important border trade distribution center.

"Ruili," known as "Meng Mao" in the Dai language, means "foggy place," vividly depicting its poetic landscape often shrouded in ground fog at dawn. Sharing ancestral roots with ethnic groups in the Shan and Kachin states of Myanmar, the culture here possesses a distinct international flavor. The grandest festivals of the year are the Dai people's "Water Splashing Festival" (Dai New Year) and the "Chu Wa Gan Duo Festival" (Opening the Door Festival). During the Water Splashing Festival, the entire town transforms into an ocean of joy, as people splash water on each other, wishing away misfortune and welcoming good fortune. The Jingpo people's "Munao Zongge Festival" is another spectacular sight, with thousands of people dancing to the same drumbeat, following the patterns of their ancestors' migration route. Known as the "Dance of Paradise," the scene is magnificent and deeply moving.

Local legends abound regarding the Jiele Golden Pagoda. According to tradition, the Buddha Shakyamuni once traveled here, leaving his footprint, and later generations built the pagoda to enshrine Buddha relics. The pagoda has undergone numerous renovations and remains a place of pilgrimage for Dai and De'ang Buddhists from southwestern Yunnan and northern Myanmar, its religious influence transcending borders. It is this profound historical accumulation, cross-border ethnic kinship, and devout folk beliefs that collectively weave the unique and resilient cultural fabric of Ruili Ancient Town, making it more than just a geographical location but a living historical and cultural museum.

3.The Jiele Golden: Pagoda stands as the most renowned landmark and spiritual core of Ruili Ancient Town and the entire Dehong region. The pagoda complex, originally built in the 17th century, comprises a main pagoda surrounded by 16 smaller pagodas, resembling bamboo shoots emerging after rain, tall and elegant. The entire pagoda body is gilded, shining brightly and solemnly under the subtropical sun. The main pagoda houses precious Buddha relics, statues, and palm-leaf scriptures. During Buddhist festivals, believers from both China and Myanmar flock here in droves, with the sounds of chanting and bells echoing endlessly. Circling the pagoda to pray for blessings and experiencing that sense of devotion and tranquility that transcends borders is an essential part of experiencing the soul of the ancient town.

4.Located next to the: No. 71 boundary marker on the China-Myanmar border, Yin Jing Village, the "One Village Two Countries," perfectly embodies geographical wonders and human warmth. The national border within the village is delineated by bamboo fences, village roads, and ditches, with the Chinese "Yin Jing" and the Burmese "Mang Xiu" living side by side, freely interacting. Here, you can see "One Well Two Countries" (a well shared by both countries), "One Swing Across Two Countries" (sitting on a swing, you can instantly "fly" back and forth between China and Myanmar), and "One Bridge Across Two Countries." Strolling through the village, the residential architecture and customs of the two countries blend together, with children attending the same school. This unique scene of peaceful coexistence vividly illustrates the deep "Paukphaw" (brotherly) friendship.

Nongmo Lake, known as the "Eye of Ruili," is a serene ecological wetland park on the edge of the ancient town. The lake surface is vast, with lush aquatic plants and graceful egrets. Comfortable trails and viewing platforms have been built around the lake, making it the best place for locals and tourists to take leisurely walks and watch the sunset. The ruins of the Dai King's Palace (rebuilt) and the General Buddhist Temple on the lakeside add historical and cultural depth to this natural beauty. In the evening, the setting sun turns the lake surface golden, and the pagoda is reflected in the water, creating a stunning picture.

To deeply experience the essence of Ruili Ancient Town, you must venture into the well-preserved Dai villages. Da Denghan is famous for its Zang Temple (Buddhist temple), where the exquisite murals and carvings are worth admiring. The village is peaceful and beautiful, resembling a paradise. Han Sha Village is known as the "Hometown of Peacock Dance" and the hometown of Yue Xiang (孔雀舞传承人), a Chinese folk art master and inheritor of the Peacock Dance. Here, you have the opportunity to enjoy authentic Dai peacock dances, experience traditional Dai bamboo house life, and taste authentic Dai cuisine, such as lemon salad, pineapple rice, and Paoluda.

As an important distribution center for jewelry and jadeite in China, Ruili's market culture is also a major highlight. Jie Gao Jade City, Delong Jewelry Night Market, and other places are full of vibrant commercial atmosphere. You can see merchants from Myanmar trading with Chinese buyers, with various jadeite rough stones and finished products dazzling the eye. Even if you don't shop, experiencing this unique border trade atmosphere and observing people's passion and expertise for "stones" is a very interesting experience.

5.The best time to visit is from: October to April of the following year, which is the dry season, with sunny and cool weather and suitable humidity, making it ideal for outdoor excursions and participation in festivals (such as the Chu Wa Gan Duo Festival around October and the Water Splashing Festival in April). The best times of day are early morning and late afternoon. In the early morning, you can experience the tranquility and mist of the ancient town, while in the late afternoon, it is ideal to watch the sunset on the shores of Nongmo Lake. During the rainy season (May-September), there is more rain, the weather is hot and humid, and mosquitoes are active, so you need to prepare rain gear and mosquito repellent when traveling, but at this time the vegetation is the most lush, and the scenery is verdant and dripping.

6.Arrive at the Jiele Golden Pagoda before 7: 00 am to avoid the crowds and enjoy the most tranquil and sacred moment of the pagoda in the morning light and mist. When exploring "One Village Two Countries," feel free to interact with the local villagers, who are often happy to share interesting stories of cross-border life. When tasting food, don't miss the lemon salad and grilled pork belly from the Dai street stalls, which are extremely authentic. If you are interested in jadeite, it is recommended to look more, ask more, and be less impulsive, and maintain a learning attitude in professional markets. Finally, please be sure to respect local ethnic customs and religious beliefs, take off your shoes when entering Buddhist temples, dress appropriately, and do not take photos of Buddha statues and monks at will.