What Makes Tengchong, Yunnan So Unique?
This article is brought to you by OCT·Dream Tengchong International Hot Spring Resort Town.
300 years ago, the renowned Ming Dynasty geographer Xu Xiake traversed towering mountains and crossed vast rivers to reach Tengchong in the southwestern frontier, where he was astounded by its beauty and prosperity, leaving behind the praise "the foremost city at the farthest edge."
300 years later, though Tengchong is widely known as the endpoint of the "Hu Line," its legendary past as the "Little Shanghai" and "Jade City" has gradually faded from memory.
Yet, if you visit in person, you will find that Tengchong's beauty and legends still linger in every inch of its land and every moment of its time.
Volcanoes formed millions of years ago cluster here in groups.
Ancient tea trees and ginkgoes first planted during the Ming Dynasty have taken root here, thriving and multiplying.
Ancient towns weathered by centuries of change retain their vibrant hues amid green mountains and clear waters.
Folk arts originating from various regions of the Central Plains have been preserved in dozens of ancient villages to this day.
Why is this "frontier town" so unique?
The story must begin tens of millions of years ago.
65 million years ago, the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates collided violently, uplifting the Tibetan Plateau.
At the eastern end of the Tibetan Plateau, large-scale fractures and folds formed, later collectively known as the Hengduan Mountains. The western end of the Hengduan range is the Gaoligong Mountains, famed for "experiencing four seasons on one mountain and varying weather within ten miles."
This massive mountain range spanning southwestern China is the first barrier encountered by the southwestern monsoon entering the country. Vast amounts of moisture are intercepted here, creating abundant rainfall, especially on the western slopes.
Located on the western side of the Gaoligong Mountains, Tengchong enjoys mild winters and cool summers due to its terrain, latitude, and other factors, with an average annual precipitation of about 1,500 mm.
The surrounding mountains are shrouded in mist and lush greenery, while three great rivers—the Longchuan, Daying, and Binglang—formed along three fault lines, flow ceaselessly across Tengchong's land throughout the seasons.
Most notably, after undergoing massive orogenic movements, Tengchong's deep fractures at the plate boundary developed, leaving its crust highly unstable.
Millions of years ago, the restless underground magma finally erupted from the faults. After countless eruptions, accumulations, and cooling, it formed peculiarly shaped conical mountains—volcanoes.
These volcanoes stand densely across Tengchong, with over 90 discovered so far, making it one of China's fourteen major volcanic clusters.
When magma erupts and cools rapidly, contraction cracks form in the homogeneous lava, extending downward perpendicular to the cooling surface, giving rise to columnar joints.
These cracks create regular quadrilateral, pentagonal, and hexagonal stone pillars, resembling waterfalls cascading from afar and densely arranged wooden stakes up close.
Such geological wonders cover an area of two square kilometers in Tengchong, equivalent to the size of 280 football fields.
When volcanoes erupt and gas-rich magma cools rapidly, porous stones called pumice are formed.
Due to their numerous cavities and lightweight nature, these stones can float on water without sinking, creating the marvelous spectacle of "stones that do not sink in the sea" in Tengchong.
If volcanic lava blocks river channels, it easily forms various dammed landscapes.
The Daying River, one of Tengchong's three major rivers, plunges sharply upon encountering a lava fault, forming the thunderous Dieshuihe Waterfall.
The obstructed water gradually seeps into the soil, and under conditions of poor drainage and weak evaporation, lush wetlands emerge.
Tengchong's Beihai Wetland, the only volcanic barrier lake on the southwestern plateau of China, is a prime example.
Meanwhile, intense volcanic activity releases vast amounts of thermal energy, creating over 60 hydrothermal areas scattered like pearls across Tengchong.
Warm, hot, and boiling springs are widespread here, with 24 hot spring zones alone exceeding 45°C.
Where the springs gush, mist swirls like a fairyland on earth.
Among them, the "Big Boiling Pot," with a diameter of over six meters, bubbles day and night, steaming year-round.
The Drumming Spring, with water temperatures reaching 94.8°C, roars like beating drums when boiling water surges forth.
These springs contain abundant minerals, which over millennia precipitate to form chemical deposits known as sinter.
Tengchong's "Toad Spout Spring" is named for its sinter formations resembling toads. The water jet from the "Toad's Mouth" can reach up to 15 meters, a fascinating sight.
With volcanoes everywhere and hot springs gushing, nature's craftsmanship has forged a unique "mountain-sea" treasure in this southwestern frontier.
The arrival of humans will imbue this land with legends spanning millennia.
Archaeological analysis suggests that as early as 4,000 years ago, humans built settlements and thrived in Tengchong.
About 2,000 years later, ancient Chinese pioneers opened a southwestern route to Myanmar and onward to India and other South Asian countries. The last frontier town this route passed through in China was Tengchong.
Thanks to this earliest overland trade route between China, Myanmar, and India, Tengchong became an early hub of openness. By at least the 4th century BCE, merchants from China and abroad traded goods here.
During the Ming Zhengtong era (1436–1449), the general leading the campaign to pacify the southwestern border, deeply aware of Tengchong's strategic importance, petitioned the court, stating, "Tengchong is a vital location in Yunnan and should be garrisoned to secure it."
From then on, Tengchong transformed from a small border town into a crucial military stronghold. In 1445, the construction of Tengchong's city walls began, using "stones from the Western Mountains." Meanwhile, large numbers of soldiers were repeatedly relocated to Tengchong for garrison duty and land cultivation.
These soldiers, originally from Shanxi, Shaanxi, Hunan, Sichuan, and other regions, lived alongside local ethnic groups such as the Dai and Wa, gradually expanding the population.
The garrison troops brought culture, technology, and tools from the Central Plains, not only shaping Tengchong's unique cultural identity but also accelerating the rapid development of its commodity economy.
Influenced by its strategic location and historical legacy, Tengchong evolved from a military hub into a thriving commercial center after the Qing Dynasty. By the 1920s, it was even hailed as the "Little Shanghai."
At that time, Tengchong's merchant group led the three major trading factions in western Yunnan.
Historical records show that during the late Qing and early Republican periods, tens of thousands of mules carrying goods entered Tengchong daily from Bhamo and Myitkyina in Myanmar.
Tengchong's enterprising traders, venturing beyond borders, steadily built their fortunes, giving rise to renowned merchants and businesses celebrated overseas.
Before 1900, Tengchong had over 200 merchant firms, including dozens of wealthy ones, with Hong Shengxiang, Mao Heng, and Yong Maohe being the most prestigious.
Among the key commodities traded by these firms, jade—especially jadeite—stood out prominently.
During the Ming Zhengtong era, Tengchong merchants recognized jadeite's commercial potential, establishing mining operations in northern Myanmar and pioneering its trade and processing, a world first.
From the Ming Dynasty until the 1950s, nearly all jade from Myanmar was traded in Tengchong, accounting for up to 90% of global jadeite transactions.
Legendary jade traders like Cun Zunfu, Mao Yingde, and Zhang Baoting were revered as "Jade Kings," while master craftsmen like Guo Shitang, He Dianliang, and Yang Shuming excelled in jade carving.
In the Republican era, Tengchong's "Treasure Street" specialized in jadeite, its past prosperity captured in the verse: "Once bustling Treasure Street, where wealthy merchants gathered with capital."
As Tengchong's foreign trade flourished, global religions and cultures converged in this small town, blending Han culture with Nanzhao, indigenous, Southeast Asian, and Western influences into "Tengyue Culture."
Heshun Ancient Town, 4 km southwest of Tengchong, epitomizes the openness and inclusivity of Tengyue Culture.
Its residences feature South Asian-style gates, European-style windows, Huizhou architectural elegance, and the charm of Jiangnan's canal towns.
These diverse styles harmoniously merge with Yunnan's traditional "Three-Bay-One-Screen-Wall" and "Quadrangle-Five-Courtyard" dwellings.
Within this compact town, Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and diverse beliefs coexist, showcasing remarkable pluralism.
After 600 years, Heshun remains steeped in history, mirroring Tengchong's own rich heritage.
Two Confucian temples stand here, while Buddhist temples like Zhongxiao Temple, Huzhu Temple, and Pilu Temple echo with chants amid the mountains.
The education-focused people of Tengchong also built the largest rural library in China to date—the Heshun Library.
Countless Tengchong students returned from studying in the United States and Japan, bringing new ideas and broadening the horizons of the locals. Many Tengchong overseas Chinese also cared deeply for their hometown, donating supplies for its educational endeavors.
The cultural luminaries and revolutionary pioneers nurtured by Tengchong, this frontier city, left an immortal brilliance that shone across all of China.
However, during the War of Resistance against Japan, Tengchong, as a key town in the southwestern frontier, was ravaged by war, and the ancient city with centuries of heritage was tragically reduced to ashes.
How will Tengchong, having endured such hardships, move forward?
In 1942, Japanese imperialism occupied Myanmar, completely severing China's vital "lifeline"—the Burma Road, and soon Yunnan became a war zone, with western Yunnan as the frontline.
Tengchong, located on the China-Myanmar border, fell into enemy hands.
In May 1944, the 20th Group Army of the Chinese Expeditionary Force, as one of the main forces tasked with reclaiming the lost territories of western Yunnan, forcibly crossed the Nu River under cover of darkness and launched an assault on Gaoligong Mountain.
After several battles, both large and small, the ancient city of Tengchong was finally within sight.
During the 40-plus days and nights of besieging Tengchong, the city was bombed from above by aircraft, shelled by heavy artillery from all sides, and rained upon by bullets incessantly.
In this battle, also known as the "Scorched Earth Resistance," 9,168 of our soldiers perished, over 10,200 were wounded, and more than 6,300 Tengchong civilians who fought alongside the troops sacrificed their lives for righteousness.
In 1945, the "Tengchong National Memorial Cemetery," funded by the government and overseas Chinese donations, was completed at the northern foot of Laifeng Mountain. Standing here, one can almost hear the cries of the warriors fighting to save the nation and see their blood-soaked figures.
Inscriptions such as "Eternal Loyalty" and "Heroes of the Land" in the cemetery immortalize their unwavering spirit of defending the motherland and record their indelible contributions to the resistance in western Yunnan and even World War II.
After the war, the people of Tengchong wiped away their tears and rebuilt their homes from the ruins.
Perhaps to preserve the memory of the ancient city's splendor and glory, present-day Tengchong retains the original "well"-shaped street layout, except for the lost city walls, and has gradually restored ancient structures like the Wenbi Pagoda and Wenxing Tower on Laifeng Mountain.
In the new era, Tengchong has undergone extensive transformation centered on integrating "commerce, tourism, culture, ports, and overseas Chinese heritage," constructing dozens of broad roads such as Jadeite Road and Rehai Road. The ancient southwestern trails have gradually been replaced by highways.
The Tengchong Tuofeng Airport, officially opened in 2009, also offers direct flights to cities like Shanghai, Xi'an, Zhengzhou, Chengdu, and Chongqing.
With improved transportation and the opening and development of scenic spots like volcanoes and hot springs, Tengchong, rich in natural and cultural landscapes, attracts numerous visitors.
To date, Tengchong has earned honors such as "National Demonstration County for Rural Tourism," "National Civilized City," and "National Hygienic City," with its cultural and tourism industries thriving.
Among these, the "OCT·Dream Tengchong International Hot Spring Resort Town" project near Baofeng Mountain Scenic Area has built Tengchong's first forest-themed amusement park.
Geographically, the project is within a 30-minute drive to renowned attractions such as the Volcanic Hot Sea Scenic Area, Ginkgo Village, and Heshun Ancient Town. In terms of配套设施, it will feature five major sections: a secret forest garden, a hot spring hotel, a cultural商业街区, a梦幻剧院, and旅居住宅.
Recently, OCT·Dreamy Tengchong International Hot Spring Resort Town launched a global recruitment campaign for the Charming Tengchong City Experience Ambassador, offering a free glimpse into the unique lifestyle of Tengchong.
Note: The final interpretation of this event belongs to Tengchong OCT.
In November 2019, the 5th Tengchong International Marathon was successfully held, gradually unveiling this modern city that is宜居宜游, where the city blends into the scenery and the scenery into the city.
Meanwhile, the ancient towns and traditional villages still preserve the田园风光 of "verdant distant mountains and烟火 nearby."
In spring, the油菜花 in Jietou Village bloom vibrantly, complementing the distant mountains.
In autumn, golden ginkgo leaves flutter everywhere in银杏村, resembling a fairy-tale kingdom.
In winter, the camellias in Hemei Village bloom as red as野火, as brilliant as sunset, surpassing even spring.
Tengchong, where Han culture dominates and has been传承至今, features ancestral halls and temples scattered across many ancient villages.
People still practice folk arts like shadow puppetry, oil-paper umbrellas, embroidery, and bamboo weaving,堪称 a microcosm of "Central Plains culture."
Heshun Ancient Town, built since the Ming Dynasty, remains free from overdevelopment and bustling crowds.
Its rivers, bridges, waters, pavilions, trees, and towers all showcase nature and antiquity, tradition and openness.
Visiting modern Tengchong, you can ride a hot air balloon to view the火山热海 or explore quaint traditional villages.
You can witness the滇西战场 once filled with gunpowder or trace the legacy of the once-prominent Tengchong merchant groups.
You can see祠堂大院 blending Chinese and Western styles or admire the diversity of 26 ethnic groups.
These unique features commemorate the geological wonders of this border town, the twists and turns of the ancient西南古道, the sound of horse hooves crossing mountains, and the heroic抗日岁月.
Together, they safeguard Tengchong's beauty and传奇, connecting the past on one end and指向 the future on the other.