Tengchong History

Tengchong has a long history since the early stone tool period; generations of people have resided in this area. In the Western Han Dynasty, the place was called "Dianyue" and during the Eastern Han Dynasty it was called "Yongchang" prefecture.

But after Tang Dynasty, it was called Tengchong or Tengyue until now. Located along the border of Southwest China, it is amber melted and refined by earth which it endowed with profound Tengyue Culture, harmonious habitation environment, charming natural sights and full-bodied folk flavor. The county has an area of 5845 square kilometers and a population of 630,000. There are 23 kinds of ethnic nationalities residing here, of which Han, Dai, Wa, Achang, Bai and Lisu comprise the majority. Moreover, Tengchong is one of the important posts of the famous "Southwest China Silk Ancient Road" as well as the location of throat for people to go to South Asia and Southeast Asia with its 168.78 kilometers long borderline to Myanmar.

In this land that is endowed with volcanoes and thermal wonders, we can see the splendid Gaoligong Mountain ( a national nature reserve in Yunnan), the exceptional Old Silk Road and profound connotation of Overseas Chinese Town ( Heshun), stirring episodes of the Anti-Japanese War and the colorful folk culture. And being a mysterious and extremely beautiful land where rich Tengyue culture is blended with harmonious residential neighborhoods, natural beauty and strong ethnic customs that forming an unparalleled attraction for tourists, who seek fitness, enjoy healthy life and discuss business.

In the Heshun Overseas Chinese Country close to Tengchong, you can visit the Yuanlong and Kui Pavilions. Tengchong is also the hometown of the famous Chinese philosopher Ai Sipi. The threefold cloud ladder and the Taoist temple, which hangs half way up the neighboring Yunfeng mountain, is so enticing that a famous Chinese traveler named Xu Xiake stayed there.

Untouched by Time: Heshun, China (Image slideshow from www.nytimes.com)

Geography and Climate

Tengchong county is above sea level of 1640 meters with spring like climate and without intense heat, severe cold. The highest and lowest temperatures are 30.5° and -4.2° and average temperature around 14.8°. Therefore, it is the first chosen place for vacation and healthy life. And within the boundaries forest coverage is 71% as well as various good species vegetation and plants so Tengchong has superior air quality. Thus, it is recognized by experts as the most suitable place for human beings and a natural oxygen pub.

Local Speciality

Rattan work

In the ancient forest at the border of Tengchong and Myanmar, a kind of tough, pliable and long vine -- rattan is widely growing, which is glossy, smooth and elastic. Similar to bamboo strips, it is called Tengmie (teng refers to rattan while mie refers to bamboo strips), a top-grade natural plaiting material. Locals use it to make rattan chairs, rattan cases and other articles, which are exquisite, diversified and durable. Thanks to the unique resources and skillful craftsmen, Tengchong has become a well-known "Hometown of Rattan work" for a long time. In addition to the traditional chairs, tables, the rattan can also be made into crates, baskets, boxes, cases and flower-stands, bookshelves, even a set of furniture used in your living room or reading room.

Palm Buds

They are the new buds inside the peel on the palm trees, which look like millets (so it is also called xiaomi, meaning millets). Growing in winter, they could be gained in early spring by peeling the outside.

You could fry or boil palm buds, which are refreshing and effective in inducing sweat and dispelling cold as well as purging heat and driving away summer heat. Tengchong Palm buds have two types: Jinzhuzong and Kuzhuzong. By eating Kuzhuzong regularly, high-blood-pressure or liver-fire people will bring blood pressure down and calm the liver.

Teng Medicines

Regarded as the "Natural Botanic Garden", Tengchong has rich resources of Chinese herbal medicines. At the turn of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Tengchong’s Chinese patent medicines were famous for their authentic material, suitable prescription and remarkable effects, gaining high reputation at home and abroad.

In the Republic of China period, the production and sales of Teng medicines reached its peak, with hundreds of types and dozens of shops and clinics, among which "Yunsheng Tang" and "Taihe Tang" are famous shops. Made of precious herbal medicines, Teng medicines are also sold in Southeast Asia areas apart from the domestic market.

Tea Oil

As the hometown of the famous Yunnan Mountain Tea, Tengchong County are well-known for the Camellia Reticulata Lindley.

The tea oil, with high nutritive and medical value, is a high-grade restorative vegetable oil used for liver soothing and lung moistening, anti-hypertension and enter gastric regulation, as well as heart vigor, anti-obesity and anti-aging. Besides, the tea oil is an insect-killer.

Er Si (Rice Noodle)

The "Tengchong Er Si" was created by Hujiawan villagers of Dongshan Town 400 years ago. Er Si, manufactured with the local glutinous rice, is a popular snack among both native people and many visitors.

The Er Si can be boiled and stir-fried. As to the boiling in cookery, firstly cut it into pieces, then boil and add some pork strips or ham strips, broth or chicken broth and other seasonings. With regard to the stir-frying, firstly cut it into slices, mix with some meat slices, egg, mushroom, tomato, pea or cabbage and other seasonings, then stir-fry with a small amount of deep fat.

<-- About Back to Top Property -->