Yuping Dong Autonomous County

Yuping Dong Autonomous County is located in the eastern part of Guizhou Province and the southern part of Tongren City, in the transition zone from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau to the western Hunan hills. It is named after Yuping Mountain. The county covers an area of 523 square kilometers, with a permanent population of about 150,000, of which the Dong ethnic group accounts for over 70%. It is one of the five Dong autonomous counties in China. Yuping has a long history: it was established as a garrison in the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty, became a county in the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty, and was established as an autonomous county in 1984. It is known as the "Gateway to Eastern Guizhou." Renowned for its unique Dong culture, Xiao and Di (bamboo flute) art, and oil tea industry, it is hailed as the "Hometown of Chinese Xiao and Di" and the "Hometown of Chinese Oil Tea." The craftsmanship of Yuping Xiao and Di is listed as a national intangible cultural heritage, and the oil tea planting area reaches 300,000 mu, making it a pillar industry for rural revitalization. The Wuyang River flows through the county, blending natural scenery with ethnic customs, creating the unique charm of a "Landscape Dong Village."

I. Core Attractions

1. Yuping Dong Ethnic Customs Park: Located in the northern part of the county, 3 km from the train station. Ticket: 50 yuan. Opening hours: 8:00-18:00. The park features a drum tower, wind-rain bridge, and Dong Culture Museum. Visitors can experience intangible cultural heritage performances such as Dong Grand Song and Hand-waving Dance. The annual "Dong Family June 6th" festival is held on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, attracting tourists to participate in stepping on song halls, bullfighting, and oil tea feasts.

2. Wuyang River Scenic Area: Runs through the county, free admission. The best section for sightseeing is from Yuping to Dalong (about 15 km). Bamboo raft drifting is available (60 yuan/person, about 2 hours). The cliffs and waterfalls along the river are known as "Little Three Gorges." Nearby are karst caves such as Guanyin Rock and Immortal Cave, with various stalactites, suitable for photography.

3. Yuping Xiao and Di Museum: Located on Xiao Di Road in the county, free admission. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00-17:00. The museum houses over 300 Xiao and Di from the Ming and Qing dynasties. Visitors can watch artisans making them on-site and try playing (30 yuan/20 minutes). Next to the museum is "Xiao Di Street," selling traditional bamboo Xiao and Yuping Di, priced from 50 to 500 yuan.

4. Tiezhu Mountain Scenic Area: 12 km from the county, elevation 800 m. Named after an iron-like stone pillar on the summit. Free admission. The hiking trail is about 1.5 km, offering a panoramic view of the Wuyang River from the top. In spring (March-April), rapeseed flowers bloom at the foot; in autumn, red leaves cover the hills. There are ruins of a Ming Dynasty ancient village on the mountainside, with preserved stone walls and stone mortars.

II. Food Recommendations

1. Dong-style Oil Tea: Made by stir-frying tea leaves, glutinous rice, peanuts, and ginger, then boiling into soup, served with rice crisps and glutinous rice cakes. Salty and appetizing. Recommended restaurant: "Dong Jia You Cha Fang" (Zhongshan Road, county), about 15 yuan per person.

2. Yuping Cured Meat: Made from local black pigs, smoked with cypress branches, bright red in color. Vacuum-packed available (about 40 yuan/jin).

3. Sour Soup Fish: Made with wild fish from the Wuyang River, cooked in a sour soup fermented from tomatoes and Litsea cubeba. Sour, spicy, and tender. Authentic restaurant: "Dong Zhai Sour Soup Fish" (near the train station), about 50 yuan per person.

4. Hui Jian Ba: Made from rice soaked in straw ash water, cut into pieces and boiled in soup or stir-fried. Chewy texture. Common street snack, 5 yuan per serving.

III. Transportation Guide

- External Transportation: Shanghai-Kunming High-Speed Railway has Yuping East Station. From Guiyang North Station, about 1.5 hours (second class 96 yuan); from Tongren Station, about 30 minutes (second class 25 yuan). By car, take the Shanghai-Kunming Expressway to Yuping exit; about 1 hour drive from Tongren city center.

- Internal Transportation: Taxis start at 5 yuan within the county; buses cost 1 yuan (Routes 1 and 2 cover main attractions). For suburban attractions like Tiezhu Mountain, take township buses (5-10 yuan/person).

IV. Accommodation Suggestions

Recommended Dong-style guesthouse "Xiao Di Ren Jia" (Beimen Lane, county): standard room 150 yuan/night, includes oil tea breakfast. Alternatively, "Yuping Hotel" (near the county government): standard room 200 yuan/night, newer facilities.