Page 21 - YunnanTourismCultureTimes (111)

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FOOD | 好吃

Pu’er: Exploring local delights along

the Nanlang River

普洱：寻南朗河畔琳琅风物

As evening falls, twilight gently blankets This project led to the relocation of the
the Nanlang River. Along its banks, within entire Lancang Street market and the estab-
Pu’er City’s Lancang Lahu Autonomous lishment of Lahu Town, creating a modern
County, the over 1,000-meter-long Lancang street night market. This new street now
Street gradually stirs to life, its entire length functions as a dynamic cultural tourism
soon aglow with bright lights. hub, expertly weaving together Lahu cultur-
Featuring an abundant array of fresh al promotion, a vibrant creative industries
vegetables and fruits, savory wild mountain scene, and popular contemporary trends.
greens, and rare delicacies like wasp pupae Lancang Street today offers more than
and edible insects, Lancang Street is a be- just mountain produce; it presents a pano-
loved spot for locals and those from nearby ramic spectacle of rich ethnic customs. It
counties. It also attracts countless tourists has shed its former weekend-only vibrancy,
who travel from afar specifically to experi- now thriving as a unique market bustling
ence the market’s vibrant and unique ethnic with activity and life daily. Stalls line the
minority atmosphere. street in an endless procession, wisps of
“Local mini corn, freshly char- cooking smoke rise, and the sounds of mu-
coal-grilled, two for 5 yuan!” called out the sic and vendors’ calls blend into a delightful
vendor, a man nearing fifty, from behind his chorus. The air, thick with the irresistible
grilled corn stall. With practiced hands, he scents of grilling food and fresh fruits, fre-
tirelessly turned corn, sweet potatoes, and quently lures passersby to pause. Brightly
potatoes over the glowing charcoal. The lit shops along the street warmly beckon
instant a passerby hesitated, he would pivot, customers inside. In their parents’ arms,
launching into an enthusiastic sales pitch. children curiously observe this vibrant
These unassuming stalls are the key to world, their eyes wide with wonder.
Lancang Street’s lasting vibrancy. Particu- Lancang Street’s success has also cata-
larly on Saturday evenings, farmers from lyzed the development of neighboring cul-
surrounding villages arrive under the cover tural and entertainment facilities. Along its
of night to establish their temporary shops, vibrant thoroughfare, specialty coffee shops
filling the market with a dazzling array of and creative cultural stores now abound.
mountain produce that beautifully captures Here, visitors can not only savor authentic
the essence of local rural life. local delicacies but also discover unique
With Lancang Street’s surging populari- ethnic cultures and witness the dynamic
ty, the existing market setup along the coun- interplay between creativity and modern
ty’s main thoroughfare became insufficient trends. Tradition and modernity seamlessly
to meet escalating demand. In response, merge in this space, as ancient ethnic cul-
in 2019, the Lancang County government tures radiate renewed vitality in this new
attracted investment to comprehensively era, drawing increasing numbers to explore
plan the Nanlang River’s western section. its distinctive allure.