Honghe Travel Guide: Earth Sculptures, Ancient Towns, and Culinary Origins

1.Introduction: The Stairway to Heaven and the Land of Literature Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, located in the southeastern part of Yunnan Province, is a captivating region that serves as a bridge between the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Indochina Peninsula. It is named after the Red River (Honghe) that cuts through the land, creating a dramatic landscape of deep valleys and towering mountains. As one of the eight autonomous prefectures in Yunnan, Honghe is a melting pot of ethnic diversity, predominantly inhabited by the Hani and Yi people, along with Han, Miao, Dai, and other ethnic groups. The region is historically significant as the "Southern Gate" of Yunnan, bordering Vietnam to the south, making it a crucial hub for cross-border trade and cultural exchange throughout history.

Unlike the well-trodden tourist paths of Lijiang or Dali, Honghe offers a more authentic and raw experience of Yunnan. It is a land where the earth has been sculpted by human hands for over a millennium, where ancient Confucian culture flourishes amidst the frontiers, and where the aroma of the world-famous Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles first wafted into the air. From the tropical heat of the Red River valley to the cool, misty heights of the Ailao Mountains, Honghe presents a diverse ecological and cultural panorama that captivates photographers, historians, and foodies alike.

2.Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces: The Sculpture of the Earth The absolute crown jewel of Honghe is the Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces, located in the southern part of the prefecture along the banks of the Red River. These terraces are not just agricultural land; they are a monumental artistic achievement created by the Hani people over the last 1,300 years. The Hani people, who primarily reside in the Ailao Mountains and the Red River basin, carved thousands of steps into the steep mountain slopes, transforming the rugged terrain into a cascading system of fertile fields.

The scale is breathtaking. The terraces stretch from the river valleys at relatively low altitudes up to the mountain tops at over 2,000 meters, spanning vast areas that look like a ladder to the sky. In the sources, the Yuanyang Terraces are described as having "the most distinct layers," creating a visual spectacle that is unmatched globally. The landscape changes profoundly with the seasons. In winter and early spring, the fields are irrigated with water, acting as thousands of mirrors reflecting the blue sky, the shifting clouds, and the golden sunrise, creating a surreal and ethereal atmosphere. This is the peak season for photographers who flock to viewpoints like Duoyishu (famous for sunrise and sea of clouds), Bada (known for sunset and the majestic sweep of the terraces), and Laohuzui (Tiger Mouth, noted for its steepness and dramatic colors).

The terraces are also a testament to an ingenious ecological system. The Hani people developed a complex irrigation network that channels spring water from the high mountain forests down through the terraces, ensuring that every plot receives water. This harmony between the forest (water source), the village (dwelling), the terraces (crops), and the river (drainage) is a masterpiece of human adaptation to nature, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

3.Jianshui Ancient Town: A Living History Book Moving north from the terraces, the atmosphere shifts from agricultural grandeur to scholarly elegance in Jianshui Ancient Town. Historically known as Lin'an, Jianshui has been the cultural and political center of southern Yunnan for centuries. Unlike many ancient towns that have become purely commercial tourist parks, Jianshui remains a "living" city where locals still draw water from ancient wells and live in historic courtyards.

4.The town is anchored by the Chaoyang: Tower (East Gate Tower), built during the Ming Dynasty. It bears a striking resemblance to Beijing's Tiananmen but actually predates it by nearly 30 years. It stands as a symbol of the town's historical importance as a military and administrative stronghold. Inside the town lies the Jianshui Confucius Temple, the second largest of its kind in China (after the one in Qufu). Its immense scale and preservation highlight the region's deep dedication to education and Confucian values, earning Jianshui the title "Literature State of Southern Yunnan."

5.Another highlight is the Zhu Family: Garden, often referred to as the "Grand View Garden of the Southwest." This massive residential complex from the Qing Dynasty features a labyrinth of courtyards, gardens, and theaters, showcasing the wealth and aesthetic taste of the local gentry. Walking through Jianshui, one cannot miss the "Ancient Wells." The town is famous for its sweet water, and locals classify the wells into distinct categories for tea, cooking, or washing. The Daban Well (West Gate Well) is particularly famous, and water from it is essential for making the local specialty, Jianshui Roasted Tofu.

6.Mengzi: The Cradle of Modern Yunnan The capital of Honghe Prefecture is Mengzi. While it is a modernizing city today, it holds a special place in history as the site of the first customs office, post office, and foreign concessions in Yunnan, largely due to the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway. This narrow-gauge railway, built by the French a century ago, connected Kunming to Haiphong in Vietnam, passing through Honghe. The Bisezhai Station in Mengzi is a nostalgic relic of this era. With its yellow French-style buildings and stationary clocks frozen in time, it was once a bustling trade hub known as the "Little Paris of the East." Today, it is a popular spot for visitors to relive the history of the "Southwest Associated University" era and the cinematic moments captured in movies like "Youth" (Fang Hua). Mengzi is also the undisputed birthplace of Cross-Bridge Rice Noodles, a dish that has become synonymous with Yunnan cuisine.

7.Mile: Hot Springs and Wine In the northern part of the prefecture lies Mile, a city known for leisure and relaxation. It is famous for the Mile Giant Buddha, a massive statue of the Maitreya Buddha (the Laughing Buddha) sitting on a mountain, symbolizing happiness and tolerance. Mile is also a hub for vineyards and hot springs. The distinctive "Yunnan Red" wine is produced here, and the natural geothermal resources make it a favorite weekend getaway for residents of Kunming and beyond. The Dongfengyun scenic area, with its kaleidoscope-like red brick architecture shaped like bottles and flames, has become a new artistic landmark for the region.

8.Cultural Diversity: The name "Honghe" signifies the Red River, but the soul of the region lies in its people. The prefecture is an autonomous region for the Hani and Yi peoples. The Hani distinctive mushroom-shaped houses in some villages and their vibrant "Long Street Banquet"—where hundreds of tables are lined up along the village street for a communal feast during their New Year—are cultural spectacles not to be missed. The Yi people, known for their fire worship and "Torch Festival," add their own passionate energy to the region's cultural tapestry.

In summary, Honghe is a destination of immense variety. It offers the visual shock of the Yuanyang Terraces, the scholarly tranquility of Jianshui, the nostalgic romance of Mengzi, and the relaxing vibes of Mile. It is a place where the mountains tell stories of labor and the old towns whisper tales of scholars and merchants, all connected by the flowing Red River.