What to expect
Heshun Ancient Town, located 4 kilometers west of Tengchong County, was founded in the Ming Dynasty. Named "Heshun" because of the small river that flows through the village, it was later renamed "Heshun" by scholars, symbolizing harmony between scholars and the people. A renowned hometown of overseas Chinese in Yunnan Province, Heshun is a key town on the Ancient Tea-Horse Road and a must-stop on the Southwest Silk Road.
The ancient town's buildings, built around a mountain, rise gradually from east to west, stretching for two to three kilometers. Ancestral halls, memorial archways, and ancient houses from the Ming and Qing dynasties dot the landscape. The town is surrounded by a vast plain, with a clear stream winding around the village and willows gracing the banks, creating a harmonious rural landscape. Major attractions in the town include the Yunnan-Burma War Museum, Zhongtian Temple, Wanlouzi, the Liu Clan Ancestral Hall, the Ai Siqi Memorial Hall, Wenchang Palace, and the Heshun Library.
Along the winding alleys of the ancient town, you can explore its old houses, streets, and ancient ancestral halls. The Wanlouzi Folk House Museum will open your eyes to the possibilities of architecture. It's no wonder the hit TV series "Beijing Love Story" was filmed here. The Cun Clan Ancestral Hall and the Former Residence of the Jade King will allow you to marvel at the exquisite architecture of the ancient town. When you're tired, stop by the teahouse inside the Liu Clan Ancestral Hall for a lingering cup of tea brewed with local Longtan water and chestnut charcoal. At the Heshun Library, you can watch artisans traditionally make Xuan paper, one of Tengchong's three treasures (Tengxuan, Tengyao, and Tengbian). If you're interested, buy some to take home.
When you're tired and hungry, the ancient town's diverse snacks will not only satisfy your hunger but also allow you to reminisce about its long and vicissitudes of history. Cun's bean flour and Aunt Lin's pine flower cake both evoke the flavors of time. Alternatively, you can find a restaurant and order the local specialties "Three Drops of Water," "Tou Nao," or "Tu Guo Zi"—the food alone will make your trip worthwhile.
Heshun Ancient Town is quite large and boasts numerous attractions, so a single day wouldn't be enough to see it all. We recommend staying overnight in the town, allowing you ample time to enjoy the sights and experience the inns renovated from ancient dwellings. Numerous inns are located within the town, many renovated from traditional dwellings, some with spacious courtyards with two or even three entrances, and all at reasonable prices. Find an inn you like, laze in until you wake up naturally, then stroll to a snack stall at the entrance to the ancient town for a bowl of the famous local soup, Da Jiu Jia. Afterward, soak up the sun at a laundry pavilion by the river and experience the leisurely Heshun lifestyle like a local.