Shiping County

Shiping County is located in the northwestern part of the Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, situated between the Ailao Mountains and the Red River in the southern Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It covers an area of approximately 3,037 square kilometers and has a permanent population of about 300,000 (2023 data), with Han, Yi, and Hani as the main ethnic groups, and ethnic minorities accounting for about 60%. Shiping is known as the "Land of Literature," "Hometown of Tofu," and "Hometown of Bayberries." Its history dates back to the Tianbao period of the Tang Dynasty (742-756 AD), and it was established as Shiping Prefecture during the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1398 AD), becoming a county in 1913. Its core uniqueness lies in: first, the well-preserved Ming and Qing dynasty urban layout and Confucian cultural sites such as the Confucian Temple and Yuping Academy, serving as a living specimen of Han culture in southern Yunnan; second, the intangible cultural heritage craft represented by "Shiping Tofu," which has a unique flavor due to being made with water from ancient city wells, with an annual output of over 100,000 tons; third, the Yilong Lake National Wetland Park, one of the nine major plateau lakes in Yunnan, with a water area of about 42 square kilometers, an important stopover for migratory birds, and listed as a Wetland of International Importance in 2020. Shiping County also boasts national intangible cultural heritage items such as the Yi Haicaiqiang (seaweed tune) and Huayao dance, making it the only comprehensive cultural tourism destination in Honghe Prefecture that simultaneously features an ancient city, a lake, and a cluster of intangible cultural heritage.

I. Core Attractions

1. Shiping Ancient City (free admission): Located in the county center, covering about 1.2 square kilometers, it preserves Ming and Qing dynasty street patterns and over 200 ancient buildings. Key sites include the Confucian Temple (built in the Yuan Dynasty's Zhizheng period, covering about 6,000 square meters, with the Dacheng Hall featuring a single-eave hip-and-gable roof and imperial plaques from Qing emperors), Yuping Academy (built in the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, now the Shiping Museum displaying imperial examination artifacts and ancient books), and the Former Residence of Yuan Jiagu (the only Zhuangyuan (top scholar) in Yunnan from the Qing Dynasty's special imperial examination, a three-courtyard compound, free admission). Recommended visit time: 2-3 hours. Audio guides available for rent (20 yuan/time) or guided tours (80 yuan/group).

2. Yilong Lake National Wetland Park (ticket 30 yuan, open 8:00-18:00): Located 1 km southeast of the county, with a 42-km lake-ring road suitable for cycling or renting electric scooters (50 yuan/hour). Main viewpoints include the West Bank Wetland Boardwalk (best for birdwatching, with red-billed gulls and purple swamphens from November to March), the North Bank Ten-Thousand-Mu Lotus Pond (blooming in July-August), and the South Bank Eco-Village (offering farmhouse cuisine). Recommended boat tours: painted boat 60 yuan/person, speedboat 80 yuan/person, about 40 minutes.

3. Zhengying Ancient Village (free): Located 10 km west of the county, a national-level historical and cultural village, featuring the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall (Ming Dynasty architecture with exquisite wood carvings), Zheng Clan Ancestral Hall, and a layout of three streets and nine alleys. The village still has ancient wells and stone-paved roads. Try traditional tofu pudding (5 yuan/bowl). It is recommended to also visit Longgang Village (Guangyin Temple built in the Ming Dynasty, 2 km from Zhengying).

4. Xiushan Temple (free): Located on Xiushan Mountain, 15 km southwest of the county, originally built in the Tang Dynasty, with existing buildings from the Qing Dynasty. The temple features ancient cypress trees and offers a panoramic view of Yilong Lake. Suitable for hiking (about 1.5 hours round trip) and enjoying ginkgo trees in autumn.

II. Food Recommendations

1. Shiping Tofu: Key experience spots: North Gate Tofu Workshop in the ancient city (a century-old shop where you can watch the tofu-making process with well water, average 15 yuan/person), and "Tofu Banquet" along Yilong Lake (about 20 shops on one street, recommended dishes: cold tofu skin, grilled tofu, tofu balls, average 30-50 yuan/person). The Tofu Festival is held every December.

2. Yilong Lake Fish: The lake produces carp, crucian carp, and grass carp. Recommended dishes: "Clear Soup Fish" (cooked with pickled vegetables, fresh and delicious) and "Grilled Fish" (slow-grilled over charcoal with chili powder). Famous restaurant: "Huxianlou" on Huanhu Road in the county, average 50 yuan/person.

3. Local Snacks: Cold rice noodles (with tofu skin and crushed peanuts, 5 yuan/portion), Yi Huayao Baba (glutinous rice cake with honey, 10 yuan/portion), bayberry juice (summer only, 3 yuan/cup).

III. Transportation Guide

1. External Transportation: - High-speed rail: Take a bullet train from Kunming South Station to Jianshui Station (about 2 hours, 70 yuan), then transfer by bus (Jianshui to Shiping, about 1 hour, 15 yuan) or charter car (120 yuan). - Self-driving: Take Kunming-Mohan Expressway to Honghe County exit (about 3 hours), then drive 40 km along Provincial Road S212 to Shiping. - Long-distance bus: Kunming South Bus Station has 8 daily departures (7:00-18:00, 120 yuan, 4 hours).

2. Internal Transportation: Taxi starting fare 6 yuan in the county. Bus routes cover major attractions (Route 1 to Yilong Lake, Route 2 to Zhengying, fare 2 yuan). Bicycle rental available at many shops in the ancient city (20 yuan/day) or electric scooters (50 yuan/day).