Page 13 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (108)

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FOCUS | 焦点

Rural areas promise enhanced happiness

乡村，幸福长

By Guo Yao □ 郭瑶 / 文

Instead of rushing through their travels, people the red border plank road, a city-viewing platform,
are now taking the time to fully enjoy the journey. An a border defense museum, and a mountainside
increasing number of individuals are embracing rural hotel. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views along
tourism, choosing to immerse themselves in local the 27-turn mountain road, hike the border patrol
customs and cultures. Yunnan Province, which shares plank road, listen to inspiring stories of border de-
borders with Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam, features fense, and take in the distinctive “One City Riding
a border of over 4,000 kilometers. This extensive Astride Two Countries” border landscape.
border connects 28 open ports, 25 border counties (or Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture is
cities), and 374 charming border villages. Visiting fully leveraging the 240-hour visa-free transit policy
these villages to experience their diverse cultures has to boost cross-border tourism. The Batiaoban Villag-
emerged as a new trend in travel. ers’ Group, part of Chengjiao Village in Hekou Town,
Ms. Zhu from Shanghai, after spending some is the last Chinese village before the cross-border
time in Heshun Ancient Town in Tengchong City freight trains on the China-Vietnam meter-gauge
and Sanman Village in Jinghong City, remarked, railway depart the country. The railway runs through
“The stunning landscapes, the clear starry skies, the the village, symbolizing the fusion of history and mo-
tranquil villages, and the fresh local ingredients are dernity. The village features neatly arranged, bright
treasures not found in the city. I feel truly at ease yellow French-style buildings that showcase a revi-
here. Additionally, the affordable cost of living allows talized countryside. “There are scenic plank roads, in-
me to immerse myself in local traditions and different finity pools, barbecue campsites... all offering fantas-
cultures.” tic spots for tourists to relax and have fun,” said Xiao
Each village, with its unique scenery, attracts Xue, a Vietnamese live-streamer who recently passed
visitors from all directions. In recent years, the bor- through Hekou Port. She enthusiastically promoted
der villages in Yunnan have incorporated various Batiaoban Village on social media, inviting Vietnam-
elements into their tourism offerings, including stun- ese netizens to visit and discover the surprises it has
ning border views, red culture, rich ethnic traditions, to offer.
health and leisure activities, and farming experiences. Many distinctive villages in Menghai County,
This has resulted in diverse and immersive local ex- Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture have suc-
periences for tourists. cessfully implemented the “one village, one product”
Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture model. Longli Village in Daluo Town has diversified
is focused on developing three primary brands: its offerings, developing red-border tourism, fruit and
ecological sustainability, Dehong cuisine, and vegetable picking, homestays, catering services, and
border tourism. Long’an Village, located along “dew” markets. Manya Village integrates intangible
the China-Myanmar border in Longba Town, cultural heritage with rural tourism, while Manzhang
Longchuan County, is nurturing unique industries Village is known for its border trade and ecological
such as sericulture, tangerine farming, rice and tourism, attracting a large number of visitors eager to
lotus field fishing, and under-forest breeding, all experience these unique offerings.
through a “scenic area + farmhouse + sightseeing Fifteen villages in the Wenshan Zhuang and Miao
and shopping” model. The “One Village Straddling Autonomous Prefecture each possess their own
Two Countries” scenic area in Ruili City beautiful- unique charm. Xianrendong Village and Puzhehei
ly illustrates the fusion of Chinese and Myanmar Village in Qiubei County boast nearly 600 distinctive
cultures. Significant landmarks, such as the “One homestays. A variety of leisure vacation activities,
Well Shared Between Two Countries,” “One Swing including ecological sightseeing, low-altitude flights,
Spanning Two Countries,” and the “China-Myanmar and performances of intangible cultural heritage,
Jade Border,” have become popular attractions, invit- offer a rich and vibrant experience, allowing tourists
ing tourists to capture unforgettable moments through to fully embrace the serene pastoral life amidst the
photography. International events like the China-My- mountains and waters. In villages like Masa Zhuang
anmar Border Residents Gala and the China-Myan- Cultural Tourism Village, Lake Yi Cultural Tourism
mar Transnational Marathon have attracted numerous Village, and Anuo Bai Cultural Tourism Village, vis-
visitors, fostering cultural and sporting exchanges itors can wander through the picturesque farmlands,
and allowing them to experience the deep-seated savor authentic rural cuisine, and experience the vi-
“Paukphaw” friendship. brant farming way of life.
Lincang City is dedicated to showcasing the Rural areas boast stunning landscapes in each of
“beauty of the border” and is actively working the four seasons, with every border region showcas-
to create a vibrant and picturesque border area. ing its unique charm. The tourism in these border
The incorporated Cishuyakou Village, located in villages, rooted in the fusion of culture and nature,
Nansan Town, Zhenkang County, is just 50 meters ecological sustainability, and strong community ties,
from the China-Myanmar border and is affection- offers visitors a tranquil escape in the picturesque
ately referred to as the “First Sentinel of the Hun- countryside. This experience allows the concept of
dred-Li Border.” This area boasts a thoughtfully “poetry and distant lands” to flourish in these happy
arranged collection of iconic attractions, such as border villages.