姚安县

Yao'an County is located in the northwestern part of the Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, within the Jinsha River basin. It covers an area of 1,803 square kilometers and has a permanent population of approximately 210,000 (as of 2020). Yao'an has a long history, serving as an important post station on the ancient Southern Silk Road. It was established as Nongdong County in the Han Dynasty and as Yaozhou Governor's Office in the Tang Dynasty, earning the reputation of 'a famous cultural county in western Yunnan'. With Yi culture at its core, it is one of the birthplaces of the Yi 'Zuojiao Dance'. The annual 'Longhua Fair' on the eighth day of the second lunar month attracts tens of thousands of visitors. Yao'an's economy is primarily agricultural, being a key production base for high-quality japonica rice, flue-cured tobacco, and sericulture in Yunnan. It also boasts famous attractions such as Guanglu Ancient Town and Longhua Temple, and is known as 'a famous historical and cultural county in central Yunnan'. Its uniqueness lies in the integration of Han, Yi, Bai, and other ethnic cultures, with well-preserved Ming and Qing ancient architectural complexes and rich ethnic customs, making it a living sample for studying Yunnan's frontier history and ethnic integration.

I. Core Attractions

1. Guanglu Ancient Town (National 4A Tourist Attraction) Located 12 km north of Yao'an county seat, it is a famous historical and cultural town in Yunnan. The core area covers about 3 square kilometers, preserving architectural complexes from the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, including the Gao Clan Tusi Yamen and the Site of the Yao'an Route Military and Civilian Governor's Office. Recommended route: East Gate City Gate - Military and Civilian Governor's Office - Hui-shaped Street - Wenfeng Pagoda. Ticket: 40 yuan/person, opening hours: 8:30-17:30. Suggested visit time: 2-3 hours. You can also visit the Yi Embroidery Training Center in the town.

2. Longhua Temple (Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Unit) Located on the mountainside of Longhua Mountain, 15 km west of the county seat, it was first built during the Tianyou era of the Tang Dynasty (904 AD) and is one of the oldest existing temples in Yunnan. The temple houses a Ming Dynasty bronze bell and Qing Dynasty woodblock prints of the 'Longhua Temple Chronicle'. The 'Longhua Fair' is held annually on the eighth day of the second lunar month, featuring sacrificial rites, Yi songs and dances, and material exchanges. Free admission, but registration is required in advance. The mountain road is steep; it is recommended to drive or hire a car.

3. Defeng Temple (in the county seat) Located on Defeng Road in Yao'an county seat, it is a Ming Dynasty building famous for its exquisite wood carvings and bronze Buddha statues. The temple preserves a Ming Dynasty 'Golden Wheel Treasure Pillar' and a 3.6-meter-high bronze statue of Sakyamuni. Ticket: 10 yuan, opening hours: 9:00-17:00.

4. Yangpai Reservoir (Leisure Resort) 8 km southeast of the county seat, with a storage capacity of 12 million cubic meters, it is one of the largest artificial lakes in Chuxiong Prefecture. There are farm stays and camping bases around, offering fishing and boating. Best season: May to October, summer for cooling off. Free entry, water activities charged separately (about 50 yuan/hour).

II. Special Cuisine

1. Yao'an Sausage: Made by stuffing pig large intestines with various spices, air-dried, then sliced and steamed. It has a fragrant and chewy texture. Recommended restaurant: 'Yi Family Flavor Garden' in the county seat (Address: No. 12 Nanzheng Street, Dongchuan Town), about 40 yuan per person. 2. Yi-style Roasted Whole Lamb: Requires advance booking, usually using local black goats, served with Yi-style secret dipping sauce. Available at 'Tusi Mansion Restaurant' in Guanglu Ancient Town, about 80 yuan per person. 3. Yao'an Yam: Grown in sandy soil, soft and sticky in texture, often stewed with ribs or made into yam cake. Fresh yams can be bought at the farmers' market (West Street, county seat), about 6 yuan per jin.

III. Transportation Guide

1. External Transportation: - Train: Take a bullet train to Chuxiong Station (about 60 km from Yao'an), then transfer to a bus (Chuxiong Bus Station to Yao'an, fare 25 yuan, 1.5 hours). - Self-driving: From Kunming, take G56 Hangzhou-Ruili Expressway to Nanhua County, then transfer to S220 Provincial Road to Yao'an, total about 220 km, about 3 hours.

2. Internal Transportation: Taxi starting fare in the county seat is 5 yuan (within 3 km). To Guanglu Ancient Town, take a rural bus (fare 3 yuan, every 30 minutes, operating hours 7:00-18:00). To Longhua Temple, it is recommended to hire a car, about 40 yuan one way.