[2025 Heqing Attraction] Travel Guide for Heqing Ancient Town (Updated Apr)

In February, with winter's chill still lingering and the breath of spring in the air, I embarked on a journey to the ancient city of Heqing. Tucked away in Dali, Yunnan, this small town, unlike the bustling Dali Ancient City, exudes a unique charm. Here's a glimpse into my 3-day adventure, hoping to inspire your own Heqing getaway~ 🌅Itinerary Day 1: Arrival in Heqing Ancient City → Check in to the inn → Explore the old streets → Savor local delicacies - Morning: Upon arrival in Heqing, head to your pre-booked inn, check in, drop off your luggage, and take a short break. - Noon: Find a small restaurant in the ancient city and try Heqing specialties like chuigan (air-dried liver) and pig liver zha. - Afternoon: Stroll through the old streets, immerse yourself in the city's rich history, and admire the ancient architecture. Day 2: Caohai Wetland → Huanglongtan → Yunhe Tower - Morning: Visit Caohai Wetland, a paradise for birdwatchers and photographers. Take a boat tour for a closer look at the wetland scenery. - Noon: Have lunch at a farmhouse restaurant near Caohai and enjoy fresh lake fish. - Afternoon: Explore Huanglongtan, a lake with crystal-clear water, surrounded by mountains, offering breathtaking views. Take a leisurely walk along the lakeshore, soaking in the picturesque scenery. - Evening: Visit Yunhe Tower, one of Heqing's iconic landmarks. The ancient structure is particularly magnificent under the glow of the setting sun. Day 3: Souvenir shopping → Departure - Morning: Explore the ancient city and pick up some souvenirs, such as Heqing silverware and Bai handicrafts. - Noon: After lunch, pack your bags and prepare for your departure. 📸Photo Spots - Caohai Wetland: Capture stunning photos against the backdrop of blue skies, white clouds, and reed fields from a boat on the wetland. - Huanglongtan: Take photos by the lake, with the water, green mountains, pavilions, and towers as your backdrop, creating images resembling ink paintings. - Yunhe Tower: Dress in local ethnic costumes and take some traditional-style photos in front of Yunhe Tower for a unique experience. 🍜Must-Try Food - Chuigan: A traditional Heqing delicacy with a tender texture and unique flavor. - Pig liver zha: Made from marinated pig liver, it's spicy, savory, and perfect with rice. - Eight Great Bowls: A traditional Bai banquet featuring a variety of dishes with rich flavors and aromas. 🏠Accommodation Tips - Inns in the ancient city: Staying in an inn within the ancient city is recommended for convenient access to attractions and an immersive experience of the ancient city's atmosphere. - Hotels: If you prefer modern accommodations, choose a hotel near the ancient city. Heqing Ancient City is like a place forgotten by time, tranquil and beautiful. Here, you can slow down and enjoy a leisurely escape. I hope you'll visit and embark on your own Heqing adventure💖

🚩Dali Heqing In the northwest of Yunnan Province, there is a bright pearl - Heqing County under the jurisdiction of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. Here not only has picturesque natural scenery, but also has profound historical and cultural heritage and unique ethnic customs. Heqing is known as the "Millennium Silver Capital, Dreamland Water Town, Highland Ze Country, Bird Paradise". The highland Ze country scenery of Heqing is intoxicating. There are many lakes and wetlands here, among which Caohai is the most famous. The vast waters are like a huge mirror, reflecting the blue sky and white clouds and the surrounding green mountains and trees. The lake is clear to the bottom, the water plants are rich, and the fish and shrimp play in it. Take a boat tour of Caohai, the breeze blows, the water waves ripple, as if in a beautiful water town painting. Heqing in winter is a paradise for migratory birds. The good ecological environment attracts a large number of rare migratory birds to come to roost. Swans, egrets, black-necked cranes and other birds soar in the sky and play on the water, adding infinite vitality to this land. You can bring a telescope and quietly watch these lovely creatures by the lake, feeling the magic and beauty of nature. 💡Heqing has a long history, and as early as the Tang Dynasty's "Yunnan Zhi", there are records about it. The Bai language calls it "Ekun", which means "double crane". In the Yuan Dynasty, Heqing Road was established here, leaving rich historical relics. As the birthplace of silver capital culture, Heqing's silverware making technology has a long history. After thousands of years of inheritance and development, Heqing's silversmiths have created exquisite silverware with exquisite skills and unique designs. From traditional jewelry to exquisite handicrafts, all show the charm of Heqing Silver Capital. Entering the silverware workshop, you can witness the birth of art treasures under the skillful hands of silversmiths. Heqing is also an important town on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, located between Dali and Lijiang, and is a place where Han and Tibetan meet. There are many historical relics and cultural traditions related to the Ancient Tea Horse Road. The ancient streets, post stations and horse shops seem to tell the story of the past horse gang, making people seem to travel back to that legendary era. 🌸Ethnic customs Heqing County is mainly Bai, and also inhabited by Yi, Lisu, Miao, Zhuang and other ethnic minorities. The cultures of all ethnic groups blend with each other here, forming a unique and rich ethnic customs. The traditional architecture of the Bai people is unique, with flying eaves and bucket arches, carved beams and painted buildings, showing superb architectural art. The Bai costumes are colorful and beautifully patterned, reflecting the aesthetic taste of the Bai people. The Bai song and dance is more enthusiastic and unrestrained, full of the breath of life. During festivals and celebrations, people of all ethnic groups gather together to celebrate together, showing their own national characteristics, so that you can feel the charm of multiculturalism. 🚌Geographical location and transportation Although Heqing is far from the main city of Dali, it is only 20 kilometers away from Lijiang Airport, and the transportation is relatively convenient. You can choose to fly to Lijiang Airport and then drive to Heqing. You can also take a car from Dali or Lijiang to Heqing and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the way. 😎Travel itinerary recommendation Day 1: Morning: Arrive in Heqing, go to Caohai to enjoy the highland water town scenery, take a boat tour, and feel the tranquility and beauty of nature. Noon: Taste local specialties such as Heqing ham and blow liver at a restaurant near Caohai. Afternoon: Visit the silverware workshop, learn about the silverware making process, and buy your favorite silverware. Evening: Stay in a hotel in Heqing County and experience the local nightlife. Day 2: Morning: Go to the Ancient Tea Horse Road site, explore the footprints of history, and feel the vicissitudes of the ancient road. Noon: Taste farmhouse dishes at a nearby farmhouse. Afternoon: Visit Bai villages, admire traditional architecture, and watch Bai song and dance performances. Evening: End the trip, prepare to return or go to the next destination. 🍡Food recommendation In addition to Heqing ham and blow liver, the following delicacies are worth a try: Machang Angelica: has unique medicinal and edible value. Heqing rice cake: sweet and delicious, soft and glutinous taste. Pig liver: rich taste and distinctive. ⚠️Precautions Respect local religious beliefs and customs, especially when visiting temples and participating in ethnic activities. When buying silverware, choose a regular merchant and pay attention to identifying the quality and authenticity of the silverware. Pay attention to environmental protection, do not litter, do not destroy the ecology.

Heqing Ancient Town is located between Dali and Lijiang. It is an important cultural town on the Tea Horse Road and the famous hometown of springs and pools. Compared with the romance of Dali and the dream of Shangri-La, this comfortable and beautiful town seems extremely low-key. Attraction information: Transportation: Dali👉Heqing High-speed Railway, 1 hour’s journey, fare 64 yuan/about 2 hours by car Lijiang👉Heqing High-speed Railway, 20 minutes by car, fare is 9 yuan/approximately 50 minutes by car Play guide: Departure from Lijiang👉Huanglongtan👉Xilongtan👉Xinhuacun Silverware Town👉Heilongtan👉Caohai Wetland Park👉Return You can also refer to this route when driving by yourself 1. Huanglongtan (viewing ink painting) After arriving at the station, take a taxi directly to Huanglongtan, which costs about 17 yuan. Huanglongtan is a famous summer resort in Heqing County. The water in the pool is clear and reflects the peaks. Walking through it is like walking through an ancient painting. 2. Xilongtan (see the clear water) The water pool here is like natural jasper, crystal clear. Walking by the Longtan, you can see the green mountains faintly covered by the water, appreciate the autumn colors of the trees, and immerse yourself in the poetic time. 3. Xinhua Village Silverware Town (see silverware) Xinhua Village, also known as Yindu Water Town, is known as the "No. 1 Silver Village in China". There are small shops that process and sell silverware along the street. There are few tourists here, but the crisp sound of small hammers hitting silverware is endless. , it’s really atmospheric 4. Black Dragon Pond (appreciating water poplar flowers) Walking north along the Dayang Line, you will reach the Black Dragon Pond. The crystal clear Black Dragon Pond, jade-white seaweed flowers, swimming ducks, blue sky, white clouds, small bridges and pavilions are like a picture scroll. Perfectly showing the pastoral charm of the plateau water town 5. Caohai Wetland (bird watching) This is a paradise for wintering birds in Yunnan. The lake is blue and translucent, the water birds are making waves, and the reeds and the breeze play a cheerful symphony. It is a real plateau water town. If you want to take pictures, it is recommended to come at 10 am / 4 pm, the light and shadow very beautiful Experience review: In Heqing, Dali, every shot you take is a blockbuster! I have to say that the sky in Yunnan is really healing. After traveling to so many places, my favorite is Heqing in Dali. Journey experience: If the charm of Yunnan lies in the beautiful mountains and rivers and the different cultural customs in different places, then Heqing must be the perfect combination of the two. This quiet and peaceful small county has hidden beauty and delicious food that is not inferior to those of major tourist cities.

Wander in the ancient city of Heqing and watch the fireworks 🎆 From the century-old Yunhe Tower in the ancient city of Heqing to North Street and South Street, then to Danmo Academy and Confucian Temple, and finally to the South City Market to watch the Sunday market. Noodles 🍜 in the old street, Bai ethnic minority grandmas dozing off on the roadside, Bai ethnic minority grandmas purchasing food at the Chengnan Market on South Street. Now they like the local life more and more.