Heijing Ancient Town | A Place Worth Visiting

Around Kunming | An ancient town only accessible by a single green train|||Every ancient town has its own story. What tales does this millennium-old salt capital hold? A friend casually mentioned Heijing Ancient Town to me, so I looked it up. Nestled between mountains and rivers, long secluded in the Longchuan River valley, it’s one of Yunnan’s four major ancient towns. Located in Chuxiong Autonomous Prefecture, it’s known as the "Millennium Salt🧂 Capital," famous for its tribute salt production during the Han and Tang dynasties. On Sunday, I explored this ancient town with friends. It still retains its brick-and-tile houses, earthen walls, and cobblestone roads weathered by time. Small eateries, pharmacies with only a window for service, and snack shops… all evoke childhood memories. 🏄‍♀️ Tour Route · 1️⃣ Stroll the Ancient Town The entire town can be explored on foot in about 3 hours. With few crowds, it’s peaceful and relaxing. Tired? Stop by a bookstore for coffee☕ or tea🍵. 💰 40 yuan for a pot of salt🧂 tea—perfect for chatting with friends. · 2️⃣ Feilai Temple A historic temple offering a panoramic view of Heijing Ancient Town. The hike is long, so go in the morning. · 3️⃣ Wu Family Compound The mansion of the Wu family, a prominent salt merchant in Heijing. Built into the mountain, it has 99 rooms and 108 doors🚪—a rare ancient residential complex in Yunnan. · 4️⃣ Ancient Salt Workshop Take a horse-drawn carriage (5 yuan per person) to learn about salt-making. Not much else to do, so it’s optional. · 5️⃣ Baishiquan Well A pleasant surprise❗️ The entire river valley is covered in white salt crystals. The hike is tiring but worth it❗️ 🍽️ Food Try yellow bean rice noodles, pear vinegar cold rolled noodles, salt-baked chicken, gray tofu… We ate at Heijing Farmhouse, which was great—homestyle dishes, and the owner even gave us pomegranates. 🚗 Transportation: Train🚞 (from Kunming) ‼️ Not recommended to drive—mountain roads are dangerous. 🕰 Time: 2.5 hours (take a 5-yuan minivan from the station). Plan for two days; otherwise, it’s a bit rushed❗️ Beyond the bustle, in the heart of the town, lies the essence of life❗️