Baoshan, Yunnan: The Overlooked Slow City Quieter than Lijiang, as Charming as Xishuangbanna, and Perfect for a Summer Escape

This is Yunnan's most underrated summer retreat slow city!

Yunnan, China's only province perfect for escaping both summer heat and winter chill!

Here, there are so many cities like Gejiu, Midu, and Eryuan with pleasant climates, low costs, and a slow pace of life, making them ideal for our retirement travel list.

Recently, I discovered that this overlooked slow city in Yunnan, delayed by transportation issues, is actually so livable, delicious, and fun!

It has no harsh winters or scorching summers, featuring hot spring ancient towns and a slow lifestyle. It’s even listed among the "most livable places for humans." Checking recent temperatures, they hover around 20°C, making it perfect for a trip now.

Right next to Dali, many might not know Baoshan but have surely "saved" its county Tengchong on their travel lists. Every autumn and winter, Tengchong’s volcanic hot springs and ginkgo village attract countless visitors, yet Baoshan is even more of a hidden gem.

On July 22 last year, the Dali-Baoshan section of the Dali-Ruili Railway officially opened, reducing travel time from Baoshan to Kunming from 8 hours to 3.5 hours, officially joining the "Kunming 3-hour circle," while reaching Dali takes just 1 hour!

This not only ended Baoshan’s history of no railway access but also made it much easier for us to explore this treasure trove!

© Xiaohongshu: inspire

But I really want to introduce Baoshan properly to everyone!)

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Baoshan, anciently known as Yongchang, is located in western Yunnan. Often overlooked, it’s truly a hidden gem:

The world’s largest small-grain coffee plantation;

China’s largest wasabi, dendrobium,

walnut, and camellia oleifera plantation;

Southwest China’s largest jade distribution hub;

One of Yunnan’s earliest developed regions historically;

A key stop on the Southern Silk Road;

An ancient city with over 2,000 years of history;

If you’re ready to travel but haven’t picked a destination, hop on a train to Baoshan—where adventure meets culinary delight.

If you come, I’d like to take you to...

01 Ancient Villages More Rustic Than Lijiang

Perhaps due to blocked transportation, while the ancient towns of Lijiang and Dali gained fame, Baoshan's ancient towns sat quietly like leisurely elders in a corner of western Yunnan, reminiscing about the old days.

A Single Street with 38 Intangible Cultural Heritage Shops

This ancient town was once a vital post on the Southern Silk Road, boasting over 2,000 years of history. Despite weathering storms, it retains its original historical charm.

Here, you can find an old teahouse charging two yuan per person, where a pot of tea and a few pastries can help you "lie flat" all day.

Location: Qinglong Street, Longyang District, Baoshan City

"Wanjia Potuo Below, Surpassing Mini Suzhou and Hangzhou"

No matter how many tourists Tengchong attracts, it seems unable to "accelerate" Heshun's slow pace.

Whenever you visit, strolling through the alleys of the ancient town, you'll find no urban noise or traffic jams—just occasional laughter and the scent of summer.

The stone-paved roads here are different from other ancient towns, each slab made of volcanic rock, densely dotted with fine pores left by high-temperature erosion.

In summer, pots of budding flowers—red, purple, white... in every color imaginable—though unnamed, add endless vitality and charm to the town.

Location: 3 km southwest of Tengchong City, Baoshan, Yunnan

Jinji Ancient Town is a place "full of stories."

Legend has it that this was the hometown of Lü Kai, a descendant of Qin Dynasty chancellor Lü Buwei, with a stone tablet marking his former residence.

© Xiaohongshu: Fernweh

Here, you can stroll along the 800-meter Fengyi Ancient Street or visit the Temple of Wealth to draw a fortune stick.

You can also see "Yongqi" here—not the Fifth Prince from *My Fair Princess*, but "Yongzi," a type of Go piece invented in Baoshan during the Ming Dynasty.

Location: At the northeastern edge of Baoshan Basin, Longyang District, Baoshan City

Even without autumn's golden ginkgo leaves, wandering the village lanes and enjoying a leisurely "afternoon tea" offers a refreshing escape.

© Tuchong: topsail

Coordinates: Gudong Town, Tengchong County, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province.

02 Witness the Astonishing Marvels of Geology

Gaoligong Mountain, hailed as the "World Species Gene Pool," is home to approximately 17% of China's higher plants, 30% of its mammals, and over 35% of its bird species.

Stretching almost the entire length of Baoshan City, Gaoligong Mountain conceals countless hidden wonders.

Baihualing is a habitat for over 300 bird species, including the Sikkim Wedge-billed Babbler, Rufous-throated Fulvetta, Fire-tailed Sunbird, and Short-tailed Scimitar Babbler, attracting bird photography enthusiasts from around the world.

Coordinates: Baihualing Village, Township Road 213, Mangkuan Township, Longyang District, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province.

Yunnan's Only National Wetland Reserve

Among Yunnan's many attractions, Beihai Wetland may not be the most famous, but almost every visitor exclaims, "It's totally worth it!"

In late spring and early summer, when orchids bloom across Beihai, boating on the lake feels like drifting through a vast grassland dotted with flowers.

© Tuchong: Never Tire of It 639

In autumn, Beihai boasts grasslands more vibrant and breathtaking than Erhai Lake or Lugu Lake, along with the spectacular gathering of hundreds of thousands of migratory birds.

Coordinates: Beihai Wetland Scenic Area, Provincial Road 238, Beihai Village, Tengchong City, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province.

"Tengyue Prefecture is so unique—nine out of ten mountains lack peaks."

Deep in Gaoligong Mountain, nearly a hundred volcanoes are scattered, none with sharp peaks—instead, they are either rounded or concave.

Among them, 97 are located in Tengchong's Volcanic Park.

Abundant geothermal resources also make Tengchong a hotspot for hot spring bathing.

It’s no exaggeration to say that in Tengchong, you can dig a hole in a field ridge and enjoy a hot spring bath.

Coordinates: Tengchong Volcanic National Park, Tengchong County, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province; Rehai Scenic Area, Qingshui Township, Tengchong County, Baoshan City, Yunnan Province.

China's Only Urban Volcanic Barrier Waterfall

While China has many famous waterfalls, most are located in remote wilderness far from cities.

But in the heart of Tengchong city hangs a waterfall—the Dieshui River Waterfall!

With a height of 40 meters, the Dieshui River Waterfall resembles a pristine jade ribbon cascading down the valley when viewed from above. Standing beneath it and looking up, you’ll witness countless droplets falling in unison, creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale.

Location: Opposite Tengchong Sightseeing Hotel, Baofeng Road, Tengchong City, Baoshan, Yunnan.

03 Stay in a Resort Rivaling Dali

Baoshan is not only home to breathtaking landscapes and rare volcanic geothermal wonders but also an ideal place to linger for a few days and savor slow living.

In Lujiangba, Baoshan, lies the Menghe Town, rich in Dai ethnic culture. Vacationing and taking photos here is no less enchanting than in Southeast Asia or Xishuangbanna.

Strolling through Menghe Town at the foot of Gaoligong Mountain, you’ll be immersed in a pastoral atmosphere. In spring, vast stretches of romantic flower fields bloom here.

Location: Gaoligong Menghe Town, Mangdan Village, Lujiang Town, Longyang District, Baoshan.

Baoshan’s Lujiangba is a prime region for producing small-grain coffee.

Xinzhai Village here is hailed as "China’s Coffee First Village," yielding over 3,000 tons of coffee annually. The air in the village is perfumed with the aroma of coffee.

Currently, there are two coffee shops in the village. If you get the chance, visit to enjoy a cup of coffee surrounded by its fragrant embrace.

Location: Lujiang Town, Longyang District, Baoshan.

Volcanic geothermal activity gives rise to the steamy Rehai (Hot Sea). Visiting Tengchong in autumn or winter for a hot spring soak is perfect for dispelling cold, promoting wellness, and relieving fatigue.

Foodies can also buy a skewer of eggs to boil in the hot springs—resulting in a uniquely delicious treat.

Location: Rehai Scenic Area, Qingshui Township, Tengchong County, Yunnan.

04 The Underrated Food Haven of Western Yunnan

Baoshan is also an underestimated culinary paradise in western Yunnan, rivaling the deliciousness of Xishuangbanna and Dehong.

The local snacks here are absolutely delightful surprises.

Dajiujia (stir-fried rice cakes), Xiacun bean jelly, Ganlan slices, stir-fried noodle crumbs, pea flour soup, broad bean balls, sticky rice cakes, dyed rice flower cakes, rolled rice cakes…

You may have never heard of them before tasting, but they’ll linger in your memory long after!

△Jiang Baba © Xiaohongshu: Sophia Yuanzi

Whether it's the "Three Musketeers of New Year Pig Feast" of the Bulang people in Shidian County: water-pickled vegetables with raw meat, cold mixed roasted skin, or sliced white meat dipped in pig blood;

The Lisu people's pork cavity blood stew in Longling County, Tengchong's thinly sliced meat, or Hetu Town's roasted pork...

Every pig in Baoshan can "live beautifully and die deliciously."

© Xiaohongshu: Sophia Yuanzi

Friends who have visited Kunming may have tried "Copper Pot Beef," but its original name should be "Fire Pot Beef," which originated in Baoshan.

Fire Pot Beef uses eco-friendly yellow beef from Gaoligong Mountain, cooked with secret braising and seasoning, then sliced into tender, smooth, and delicious pieces with the perfect balance of lean and fat.

Baoshan is one of the birthplaces of Dai culture.

Beef floss, bamboo rice, sticky rice cakes, lemongrass grilled fish, and the "bold-flavored" beef sa pie are all worth trying.

Baoshan is also a land abundant in fruits, such as mangoes, pomegranates, dragon fruits, and jackfruits.

Why not take some time to board a high-speed train to Baoshan and explore this still underrated treasure city in Yunnan? You might discover unexpected scenery!

Transportation: Intercity high-speed train: Kunming—Baoshan 3.5h, Dali—Baoshan 1h; from Baoshan city to Tengchong County, 2h by car (or by plane).

Things to do in Baoshan city: The city is mainly about food exploration—visit local favorites for snacks, hot pot, and Dai cuisine; stroll through Banqiao Ancient Town and Jinji Ancient Town; or vacation at Menghe Town in Lujiangba and taste coffee in Xinzhai Village.