[2025 Gengma Attraction] Travel Guide for Gengma Buddhist Temple (Updated Mar)

In March, the wind becomes gentle, the sunshine warm. As the whole world awakens to the colors of spring, I embarked on a journey to Gengma. This small town, hidden in the southwestern border, is free from the hustle and bustle of big cities, yet it holds the most authentic charm of everyday life.🎆 Filled with anticipation, I began this surprising journey to Gengma. Now, I'm sharing this super detailed 3-day travel guide with you👇 🗺️Travel Route Day 1: Jingge White Pagoda → Mengding Dawanjiang Scenic Area - Morning: Arrive in Gengma and head to the sacred Jingge White Pagoda to experience its tranquility and solemnity, steeped in history. - Afternoon: Travel to the Mengding Dawanjiang Scenic Area, stroll along the riverbank, watch the flowing water, and enjoy the scenery on both sides. Day 2: Banxing Dazhai → Gandong Park - Morning: Visit Banxing Dazhai and experience the unique charm of a traditional Dai village, embracing the slow-paced life. - Afternoon: Go to Gandong Park, take a leisurely stroll, and enjoy the pleasant afternoon. Day 3: Gengma Zongfo Temple → Return Trip - Morning: Visit Gengma Zongfo Temple, appreciate the charm of Buddhist culture, and conclude this journey perfectly. - Afternoon: Pack your luggage and return home with wonderful memories. Must-Visit Attractions and Photo Spots - Jingge White Pagoda: - Must-visit reason: A landmark building in Gengma with a long history and unique architectural style, blending Dai architectural art and Buddhist culture. - Photo spots: Take a full-body photo in front of the pagoda with the entire pagoda as the background, perfectly blending into the sacred atmosphere; you can also take artistic photos from the side of the pagoda, making use of light and shadow. - Mengding Dawanjiang Scenic Area: - Must-visit reason: Picturesque natural scenery, clear river water, and lush vegetation on both banks make it a great place to get close to nature. - Photo spots: Stand on the viewing platform by the river and take a beautiful photo with the winding Dawanjiang River as the background; or sit on the rocks by the river and capture playful moments in the water. - Banxing Dazhai: - Must-visit reason: An authentic Dai village where you can learn about Dai traditional culture and folk customs. - Photo spots: Take photos in front of the traditional Dai bamboo houses, dressed in Dai costumes, as if transforming into a Dai girl; you can also take photos by the village well, capturing the essence of daily life. - Gandong Park: - Must-visit reason: A popular place for local residents to relax and entertain, the park is full of greenery, clear lakes, and a vibrant atmosphere. - Photo spots: Take photos at the lakeside pavilion with the lake and trees as the background; stroll along the park's paths and capture natural moments as you walk. - Gengma Zongfo Temple: - Must-visit reason: A solemn and majestic Buddhist temple with exquisite architecture and numerous pagodas, it is a holy place for Buddhist pilgrims and a great place for tourists to learn about Buddhist culture. - Photo spots: Take photos in front of the temple gate with the magnificent temple architecture as the background; enter the temple and take portraits next to the pagodas, feeling the peaceful and serene atmosphere. 🍜Food Recommendations - Dai Cuisine: - Lemongrass Grilled Fish: 🐟 Tender fish paired with unique lemongrass, grilled until golden brown, fragrant, and juicy. Every bite is pure bliss. - Pineapple Purple Rice: 🍍 Sweet pineapple and soft purple rice blend perfectly, creating a sweet but not greasy, rich taste with the fruity aroma of pineapple and the mellow flavor of purple rice. - Special Snacks: - Falooda: 🥤 Rich coconut milk paired with crispy croutons, sago, purple rice, and more, offering a multi-layered texture and a sweet and delicious taste. It's a must-try specialty drink in Gengma. - Shai Baba: Available in sweet and savory versions. The sweet Shai Baba is coated with condensed milk, making it sweet and crispy; the savory version is paired with eggs, spring onions, and other ingredients, offering a unique flavor. 🏠Accommodation Recommendations - Gengma County: Offers a wide range of choices, convenient transportation, and complete dining facilities. You can choose a hotel in the city center for easy access to various shops and food streets. - Mengding Town: If you want to be closer to the Dawanjiang Scenic Area, Mengding Town is a good choice. There are some characteristic inns in the town with a tranquil environment, allowing you to better experience the local customs. ❗Important Notes - Respect local customs: Gengma is a multi-ethnic area, mainly inhabited by the Dai people. Respect local religious beliefs and customs, such as dressing appropriately when entering temples and avoiding loud noises. - Take sun protection measures: The local sunlight is strong, especially during outdoor activities. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, and other sun protection items. - Pay attention to food hygiene: When tasting local food, choose restaurants with good hygiene conditions to avoid gastrointestinal discomfort caused by unclean food. Every inch of Gengma exudes a unique charm, and every encounter is filled with surprise and emotion. I hope this guide can help you start your own Gengma journey and create wonderful memories.💕

🚩Gengma Zongfo Temple: A Buddhist Sanctuary in a Border Town of Lincang In Gengma, Lincang, Yunnan, lies a temple radiating history and religious brilliance—Gengma Zongfo Temple. Located on Gandongxi Road in the old town of Gengma County, it resembles a dazzling pearl, exuding a serene and solemn charm. Gengma Zongfo Temple boasts a long and rich history, dating back to the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, with over 500 years of heritage. Stepping into this temple, the murals on the walls seem to narrate the grand arrival of Buddhism in Gengma. These vivid images transport visitors through time, witnessing this significant historical moment. It serves not only as the core institution managing Buddhist activities throughout Gengma County but also as a sacred place for the Tusi (local chieftains) and their families to devoutly worship Buddha, thus holding an unshakeable position of importance in the Gengma region. The Peacock Slope and Peacock Tree in front of the temple are auspicious places welcoming guests from all directions. As you ascend the Peacock Slope, an ancient and vigorous large green tree comes into view. Standing alone yet forming a forest, its upper branches resemble a magnificent canopy or a peacock spreading its tail feathers, its graceful posture evoking admiration for nature's artistry and the tenacity of life. 📍Gengma Zongfo Temple's architectural style is unique. The entire complex comprises various sections, including the main hall, passageway, ordination hall, pagoda, monks' quarters, and courtyards, all meticulously arranged in a harmonious layout. The main hall's structure combines brick and wood, with two rows of parallel giant wooden pillars reaching the sky, providing solid support for the entire building. The central hall and side chambers are ingeniously combined to form a distinctive triple-eaved structure. The gray tiles covering the roof, weathered by time, appear increasingly simple and solemn, showcasing the passage of time and the charm of history. 💡Inside the main hall, the statue of Sakyamuni Buddha stands majestically, surrounded by eight clay sculptures, each with a unique and lifelike form. Every statue embodies profound religious meaning and artistic value, deeply revered and respected by believers. Additionally, the passageway added to the east end of the main hall's entrance is another highlight of the temple. Inside the passageway, brick and wooden pillars support the roof, and the floor is paved with smooth, ancient green bricks, creating a tranquil and sacred atmosphere. During major festivals and religious events, Gengma Zongfo Temple becomes bustling with activity, attracting numerous devout believers. They come to worship Buddha, carrying flowers, candles, and puffed rice, their eyes filled with unwavering faith and prayers for a better life. In this rich religious atmosphere, you can deeply sense people's persistent pursuit of faith and the inner peace and harmony it brings. Gengma Zongfo Temple is more than just a religious building; it is a treasure trove of history, culture, and art. Here, you can admire the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient architecture, experience the profound essence of religious culture, and appreciate the beautiful scenery where nature and humanity intertwine. 📷Photo Spots: 1. Gengma Baima Square: A local landmark with unique architecture and landscapes, perfect for taking photos. 2. Gengma Mengding Qingshuihe Port: Experience the border town atmosphere and unique regional characteristics. 3. Gengma Nanting River: The riverside scenery is beautiful, ideal for leisurely strolls. 🥘Food Recommendations: 1. Gengma Haobeng: A specialty fried food, crispy and delicious. 2. Gengma Sour Bamboo Shoot Fish: The unique sourness of bamboo shoots blends with the tender fish, creating a sour and spicy, appetizing soup. 3. Gengma Chicken Lanfan: Chicken and rice perfectly combined, soft and glutinous with a rich aroma. 4. Gengma Niu Sapi: A dish with strong ethnic characteristics and a unique flavor. 5. Gengma Roasted Chicken: Crispy skin, tender and juicy meat, and a fragrant aroma. 6. Gengma Fried Bamboo Worms: A high-protein delicacy with a crispy texture. We hope these recommendations will enrich your Gengma journey!

Gengma Dai and Va Autonomous County in Lincang is named after the Dai language, meaning 'a place found following a white divine horse in search of gold and gems.' The county seat is 134 kilometers away from Linxiang District of Lincang City, and 625 kilometers from Kunming City. Accommodation: The county town is small, so it's convenient to stay anywhere near Qingnian Road. 🛵 Transportation: A small electric scooter is basically enough for most trips, and taxis are available for longer distances. Sightseeing: In the county town, there are attractions like Zongfo Temple, Gandong Park, and the Xuanfu Si, all worth visiting. Gandong Park has a nice environment and is a renovated Dai village. Hanyun Street, the morning market, and the night market are must-visits. You must try the rare bean powder rice noodles in the morning market, taste Sapie, and the small pot dishes are also good. Attraction Introduction: Gengma Zongfo Temple (Locally known as Guanmian Temple, it is the official temple of the Gengma Xuanfu Si, built during the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty.) Jingge Park (Inside Jingge Park, there is a white pagoda called Jingge White Pagoda, which was built in 1778 by the fourteenth Tusi of Gengma, Han Chaoyuan, to commemorate the friendship between China and Myanmar.) Gandong Park (Originally a Dai village, it was relocated after the 1988 Gengma earthquake, and the county's construction department turned it into a park.) Baima Square (Baima Square is where the people of Gengma celebrate festivals and hold major celebrations. It's also an important landmark of Gengma County! There are bonfire dances in the evening.) 🍢 Gengma Hanyun Snack Street (Located just over a hundred meters from Baima Square, with a morning market and a night market.) These attractions are all within the county town and are easily accessible by strolling around!

Gengma General Buddhist Temple, located in the suburbs of Gengma City, Lincang, is known in the Dai language as 'Wa Xi Li Zhuan Meng', and belongs to the Theravada Buddhism of the Pali tradition! Gengma General Buddhist Temple is a sacred place for the Theravada Buddhism of the Dai ethnic group! Built during the Qianlong period of the Qing dynasty, it was a place of worship for the local chieftain and his relatives! The temple complex includes the main hall, the transit hall, the precept hall, etc., with a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha and eight clay sculptures enshrined within the main hall! On major festivals and religious events, a large number of believers and tourists gather here to experience the strong religious atmosphere and the unique charm of Dai culture!

Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County: A Day Trip and Unexpected Discoveries🍍🐟🏞 On the edge of Lincang, Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County hides many stories and delicacies unknown to the public. An accidental stay due to a lodging choice turned into a delightful discovery. 🍍 A Pineapple Surprise in Hepai Township The first stop of the journey was not a famous tourist spot, but a pineapple field in Hepai Township. The pineapples here, with their unique sweetness, are unforgettable. Taking a break by the roadside and enjoying this natural gift, it felt like the meaning of travel had been found. 🐟 The Stunning Choice at Peng Ji Restaurant In Gengma, there are not only breathtaking natural landscapes but also cuisine that satisfies the taste buds. The fish at Peng Ji Restaurant, with its exquisite taste, became the perfect choice for dinner. The fish here is not just a meal, but more like a cultural experience. 🌆 The Homely Atmosphere of Hanyun Street Hanyun Street may not be as bustling as big cities, but it has a rare homely atmosphere. In the morning, the street is filled with various breakfast options, each offering a deep insight into the city's life. 🏞 Exploring the Cultural Heritage of Gengma Gengma is not only a treasure trove of natural scenery but also a witness to historical culture. The Zong Buddha Temple, Tusi Mansion, Jingge White Pagoda, and Shifo Cave, each place tells the story of this land. From the Neolithic Age to modern times, these relics are testimonies of time and bearers of culture. Gengma, this small city that one enters inadvertently, leaves a deep impression with its unique charm. It may not be as well-known as Cangyuan, but every encounter is a new discovery, a memorable experience. Here, every step is full of surprises, and every moment is worth cherishing.