The Floating City of Scholars: Discovering the Ming-Qing Architecture and Tofu Legend of Shiping Ancient Town

The "Museum of Ancient Dwellings"

1.Located in the northwest of the Honghe: Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, Shiping Ancient Town (Shiping Gucheng) is a hidden gem often referred to as the "Museum of Ancient Dwellings." Unlike the bustling commercial hubs of Lijiang or Dali, Shiping retains a profound sense of tranquility and original history. Established during the Ming Dynasty (around 1420), the core area covers approximately 0.75 square kilometers and is home to a spectacular collection of well-preserved residential buildings from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Walking through its grid-like streets, visitors are surrounded by blue bricks, grey tiles, and red earth walls that narrate stories of a bygone era. The architecture here is a unique blend of traditional Han Chinese styles with local ethnic elements, characterized by exquisite wood carvings, stone sculptures, and painted beams that have survived centuries of change.

A City Floating on a Turtle Shell

2.One of the most fascinating aspects of: Shiping is its unique geography and the legends surrounding it. The town is situated on the north bank of Yilong Lake (Yilong Hu) and is historically described as being shaped like a "Turtle Shell" (Gui Ke). Geologically, the town is built upon a shell of limestone accumulation over water; locals say that if you dig down just a few meters, you will find water and sand, giving rise to the saying that Shiping is a city that "floats on water." This unique foundation has led to distinct architectural adaptations and local legends about the town's Feng Shui. The water beneath the city is not just a geological feature but the soul of its culture, influencing everything from its construction to its famous culinary heritage.

The Land of Literature and Scholars

Shiping is renowned as the "Number One County of Literature in Yunnan" (Wen Xian Ming Bang). Despite its location in the southwestern borderlands, it became a center for Confucian education and culture. History records that Shiping produced 640 Juren (provincial graduates), 77 Jinshi (metropolitan graduates), and 15 Hanlin academicians, a staggering number for a remote county. Most notably, it is the hometown of Yuan Jiagu, the only "Zhuangyuan" (top scholar of the imperial examination) in Yunnan's history. This rich academic legacy is visible everywhere, from the majestic Shiping Confucius Temple (Wenmiao) to the Yuping Academy. The ancient alleys are filled with the atmosphere of learning, and the layout of the town reflects the order and elegance of traditional Chinese urban planning.

A Culinary Legacy: Shiping Tofu

3.No visit to: Shiping is complete without tasting its most famous export: Shiping Tofu. Unlike tofu made elsewhere using gypsum, Shiping tofu is coagulated using the natural "sour water" found in the town's wells, a method that has been passed down for hundreds of years. The result is a tofu with a unique texture and flavor—fresh, tender, and resilient. Walking through the streets, you will often see locals roasting pieces of tofu over charcoal fires, serving it with spicy dipping sauces. It is not just a food but a cultural symbol, representing the "flavor of home" for the locals and a must-try experience for travelers.