Take a 50-minute flight westward from Kunming to Luxi City, the capital of Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture. Transfer to a bus and drive along the Yunnan-Burma Highway for more than 80 kilometers to reach Ruili City and Wan on China's southwest border. Town.
Ruili is called Mengmao in Dai language, which means "a green place shrouded in fog."
It borders Myanmar on three sides. The Ruili River is like a sparkling jade belt, and the Longchuan River is like a golden ribbon. The emerald-like Ruili Dam is wrapped around it from the east and west sides, which adds to its beauty. .
Ruili originally means auspiciousness and beauty.
As soon as you enter Ruili Bazi, where Ruili City is located, you will easily appreciate the picturesque meaning of this name.
Surrounded by mountains, Ruili Bazi is open and flat. The vast fields are filled with Dai bamboo houses shaded by tropical fruit trees and phoenix bamboos, and rubber trees on the slopes. The forests are lush and green as far as the eye can see; the Ruili River is sparkling, and ferries come and go, blending the scenery and people on both sides of the strait into an indescribable exotic atmosphere.
Ruili’s ethnic minority population accounts for more than 60%. It is the county with the highest proportion of ethnic minorities in Dehong Prefecture. The main ethnic groups are Dai, Jingpo, De’ang and Achang. Each ethnic group has its own unique characteristics. The customs of the Dai people, especially the Dai people, are everywhere and become an excellent embellishment in the beautiful scenery.
However, if you pay a little attention, you will find that the Dai people here are different from the Dai people in Xishuangbanna. For example, the Dai women in Ruili like to apply a golden cream on their faces, which is both decorative and sunscreen. Dressing up is the same as the customs in Myanmar, which shows the exchange and integration of border life and culture.
A border trade mall where Chinese and foreign merchants gather
In the pastoral, poetic Ruiliba, there is actually a city with quite developed commerce? Anyone arriving in Ruili for the first time will be surprised.
Although Ruili is a small city, with less than 100,000 people even in its rural suburbs, there are numerous commercial buildings, star hotels, and shopping malls with stalls; it is bustling during the day and the night market is brightly lit at night.
The most prominent one is the Bianmao Street Jewelry Market in the northwest corner of the city. It covers an area of ??32,000 square meters and has more than a thousand shops. It brings together Chinese and foreign department stores, local specialties, teak carvings and other handicrafts. Jewelry and jade account for the most business in the shop. Because Ruili is close to the source of Burmese jade and gemstones, jade and jewelry naturally become the most important commodity.
Here, Chinese and foreign businessmen gather. In addition to local ethnic minorities and ethnic minorities, there are also many Burmese, Bangladeshis, Indians, Pakistanis..., Dai, Mandarin, Burmese Waiting for the voices of bargaining with southern and northern accents to come and go.
Many Burmese people have become dealers who have lived in Ruili for a long time. The shops are filled with finished jewelry and jade products and piles of rough jade that have not been polished or only cut into a corner.
Businessmen who come to buy rough jade all rely on their vision and luck. If the rough jade contains high-quality jade, they can make a fortune, but those colorful banknotes may only be exchanged for a pile of rubble.
Almost everyone who travels to Ruili will go crazy for the beautiful jade, but I had already planned to go to Myanmar to buy jade, so I gritted my teeth and endured it.
In addition to the jewelry market in the city, there is a China-Myanmar Street in the Jiegao Border Trade and Economic Zone 4 kilometers southeast of the city. China and Myanmar are only separated by one street, so a prosperous border trade has also been formed. Market, people call this street the "Sha Tau Kok of the Southwest" (Note - "Sha Tau Kok" is a village and town between Shenzhen, Guangdong Province and the northeastern border of Hong Kong. The two places are bounded by a street, which separates two Areas with different social systems, and residents of the two places can communicate with each other
Jile Golden Pagoda is famous in Southeast Asia
Before traveling south to Myanmar, we thoroughly visited Ruili. < /p>
Most of Ruili’s main attractions are along National Highway 320, and the transportation is very convenient.
Visiting the Dai customs and visiting Buddhist temples on Ruili Bazi are often inseparable.
Experience tells me that wherever there are large bamboo forests, there must be villages; every Dai village must have a majestic zangfang (the Dai people call Buddhist temples zangfang) or a magnificent pagoda.
The most famous Buddhist temples are Huanlongzangfang and Dadengzhangfang. Similarly, Huanlong and Dadengzhang are also the most famous Dazhaizi, known as farm-style natural parks.
"Zangfang" is commonly known as a temple. It is a place where Buddhists become monks and practice Buddhism, and it is also a place where Buddha preaches and preaches.
The Zangsafang is built in a Dai village. It is a phoenix bamboo. Surrounded by banyan trees and with unique national characteristics, this building is the essence of Dai architecture and the highest-level Zangfang in Ruili. The Dazhong Zangfang was built during the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty. Its architectural form is like an ancient Dai-style palace, so , the famous movie "Peacock Princess" also used this place as the filming location of "Peacock Princess"
Among the Yunyun Pagodas in Ruili, the most famous is Jile Jin Pagoda, which is Dehong. It is the highest pagoda in the state and one of the famous pagodas in Southeast Asia. It is said to be as famous as the Mandalay pagoda in Myanmar.
This gorgeous pagoda is located in Jile Village, 7 kilometers east of the city. .
The center of the tower group is the 40-meter-high main tower, surrounded by 16 small towers; the tower body is golden, and the crown of the tower is decorated with umbrellas, weathercocks and silver bells, which make a sweet tinkling sound in the breeze. sound.
Jie Le Jin Pagoda has a long history, and it is difficult to verify its founding year.
According to historical records, during the reign of Prince Suthamarama, 7 kinds of bones were found here, including bear, sparrow, duck, and cow, which is consistent with the legend that the Buddha reincarnated 550 times. When the reincarnation was When waiting for animals, they were living in Jiele. Therefore, the prince ordered this tower to be built, which was called the Golden Bear Tower.
The Golden Pagoda has been rebuilt many times. The earliest reconstruction that can be tested was in the 2300th year of the Buddhist calendar (1756 AD), which is more than 200 years ago.
Ruili City is located in the west of Yunnan Province. It is an emerging city approved by the State Council in 1992 from a county to a city. It connects Wanding City and Luxi County to the east, Longchuan County to the north, northwest, southwest, The three southeast sides are adjacent to Myanmar.
The Ruili River Basin is a national-level scenic spot. Ruili City is rich in tourism resources. There are a large number of cultural relics and historic sites such as the Zhaowuding Tomb and the Guanghehan Ancient Capital Ruins. The national culture is profound. It is remote, has subtropical rainforest scenery and natural charm, is uniquely endowed with tourism, Taobao and jewelry shopping, and has abundant geothermal resource reserves.
Tourism projects include: Guomen Wanding Bridge, Tianya Dijiao - Jiegao, China and Myanmar drink from the same river - Nongdao, Wanding Ecological Park, Welcoming Banyan Tree - Mangling" "A single tree forms a forest", Ruili River rafting tour, the famous Southeast Asian pagoda - Ruili Golden Pagoda, Dading Dai Rural Park, Ruili Southeast Asia, South Asia Style Garden, Jiegao Border Trade Zone, Zhongmai Street, Ruili City's Zha Duo Waterfall, Jingpo "Mu Nao Zong Song" Field, One Hospital and Two Countries, "One Village and Two Countries" Yinjing, Jiedong Lai Banyan Tree King, Theravada Buddhist Cultural Tourism Area - Huansha, and the former Central Leiyun Aircraft Manufacturing Factory Ruins tourist area, gem temple - Lei Zangxiang.
My own feeling is that after arriving in Kunming first, you can just fly to Luxi.
Then there is no problem in joining a group or as an individual traveler. It is best to go in June or July , there are a lot of fruits, and it is not dry in the rainy season.
But remember to bring an umbrella, or wear a transparent close-fitting raincoat if you are going to the forest.
The thinner the clothes, the better. However, you still need to bring outerwear, tiger balm for mosquito bites, and toilet water.
But these things can also be bought locally!
Mangshi is also called Luxi. According to legend, when Sakyamuni came here to preach, the sky was bright, the roosters were crowing, and the morning light was about to shine on this green dam, so he named it " "Menghuan" means "City of Dawn".
The ancient city of Mengbanasi with a long history of 2,000 years
Mangshi was an ancestor tribe of the Dai people more than 2,400 years ago. It is blessed with a south subtropical monsoon climate and fertile land. , abundant forest and water resources, coupled with people's hard work, the whole tribe reaps melons and beans, abundant grains, prosperous livestock, beautiful mountains and waters, beautiful girls, outstanding people, and no fraud, making it a famous place. The "Tribal Meng" (tribal country) in all directions is called "Mengbanasi" (a place like heaven).
The opening of the Southern Silk Road, the "Shu Shen Po Road", has gradually expanded Mangshi's exchanges with the mainland and foreign countries. In the past few years, Theravada Buddhism (Theravada Buddhism) has been introduced from the south, and The primitive religion here has entered the civilization of modern religion.
Thousands of years of dripping water eventually turned into gold. The combination of Chinese and foreign culture and local ethnic culture left hundreds of scriptures to this beautiful city and created a complex of religious and cultural buildings scattered inside and outside the city.
The name "Mangshi" has been known for many years. In the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties, Mangshi (Shi) was the name of the administrative division of Luxi and its surrounding areas. It was not until the 23rd year of the Republic of China (1934) that the name was changed to Luxi, and the Luxi Political Bureau was established in Mengjia. In the 38th year of the Republic of China (1949), it was moved to Mangshi and established Luxi County.
After liberation, people still called Luxi Mangshi according to custom, so many people did not know Luxi when they arrived in Mangshi.
The original residents of Mangshiba District are mainly Dai people. This is a water nation with a long history and civilization. The men are peaceful and kind, and the women are gentle and hard-working, and believe in Buddhism.
The residents in the mountainous area are mainly the Jingpo ethnic group. This is a people who migrated from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in ancient times. They are brave, unrestrained, enthusiastic and generous.
Throughout the past dynasties, inland ethnic groups and residents from the Central Plains have continued to migrate here due to reasons such as guarding borders and consolidating the country, and escaping from war.
After liberation, a large number of high-quality cadres who went south formed ethnic work teams and stayed in Mangshi for a long time to help educate, guide production, and civilize customs.
Since the reform and opening up, businessmen from all over the world have gathered in Mangshi to explore business and make it their home, never to return.
Therefore, Mangshi has formed an inclusive civilization, an open mind, and a colorful life.
In Mangshi, there is not only the traditional water-like lifestyle of the Dai people, such as the joyful Water Splashing Festival, lively performances, and passionate hunting whistles; Women’s fans and spear-barreled handkerchiefs are extraordinary in spirit. Not only is it the dance with the largest number of people recorded in the Guinness Book of Records, but it is also a unique culture that uses dance to narrate stories and trace ancestors through dance.
Just talking about national festivals, the first month of the lunar calendar is the Munao Zongge Festival of the Jingpo people and the Lisu people's festival, the third month of the Gregorian calendar is the Aluwoluo Festival of the Achang people, and the fourth month of the Gregorian calendar is the festival of the Dai and De'ang people. Songkran Festival, July is the anniversary of the founding of the state.
In addition to the traditional festivals of the Chinese nation and unified national holidays, there are festivals almost every month, and every month is a joy.
Each of the local ethnic groups in Mangshi has its own traditional food and taste. The Dai people’s food is sour, cool and refreshing, while the Jingpo people’s food is spicy and multi-flavored.
Secondly, the tastes from different places blend together in Mangshi, creating new changes and integrating into the local area.
Therefore, Mangshi food has a variety of tastes, with sweet, sour, bitter, spicy and different staple foods and variations; the taste is clearly layered, with different flavors and aftertaste.
On the dinner table, almost every dish is served with a dip.
It can be dipped and the taste will be different; if not dipped, the taste will not be reduced.
Breakfast, the most common small shop, has a wide variety of bait and rice noodles. The rice noodles are thick, thick, thin, etc., and there are seven or eight kinds of bait.
There are beef, pig, and chicken options for soup, and "Maozi" has various meats in various ways and flavors.
The table is full of condiments, including fresh lemon, spicy shabu shabu, spicy millet, sweet soy sauce, various pickles, etc. Everyone can choose what they need.
The same bowl of breakfast, with different combinations of main ingredients, soup, and "maozi", has different tastes. With the addition of condiments, the tastes vary and the taste is endless.
Known as "Guangmu Jielie" in Dai language, it is the earliest pagoda built by the Dai people in Mangshi.
The pagoda is more than ten meters high and the tree is tens of meters high. The pagoda is a solid brick pagoda and the tree is a Bodhi tree.
The pagoda is topped by trees, and the trees surround the pagoda. The branches and leaves on the top are green, and the pagoda is shining at the foot.
The body of the tower is like a diamond, majestic and solemn, while the trees are like pillars holding up the sky, tightly wrapping the body of the tower.
The tree and tower are integrated into one.
Looking up under the tower, one can’t help but wonder: Is it a tower or a tree in front of me? It is said that there were originally pagodas but no trees here. When a Bodhi tree seed was carried by the wind into the cracks of the pagoda, the spring rain poured down the seeds, and the seeds took root and sprouted, gradually creating this wonder.
The tower gave birth to the trees, and the trees protected the tower. This is a typical Dai wisdom.
The Dai and Deang ethnic groups in Luxi believe in Hinayana Buddhism, so there are many zang temples. Almost every village has a zang temple, and most of the zang temples are adjacent to each other, creating a beautiful scene. There are also pagodas and temples that are separated and stand out. .
In the middle section of Zhengnan Road, Mangshi Town, Luxi City, there is a vigorous and simple temple building complex. Its style is very different from the many "Zang Temples" of Theravada Buddhism, and also different from the Buddhist temples of Mahayana Buddhism of the Han Chinese in the mainland.
The general Dai Theravada Buddhist "Zangfang" (Buddhist temple) is generally a square single-room wooden structure with wooden railings. However, the Bodhi Temple has a side building on both sides of the main house, as if the two wings are closely connected to the main house. Forming three independent but connected Buddhist halls.
The general Han Mahayana Buddhist temples are mostly in the courtyard style.
The two Bodhisattvas in front and below the statue of Sakyamuni enshrined in the main hall of Bodhi Temple are not Samantabhadra and Manjusri. The one on the left wears a golden helmet and holds a pen in his right hand and a thin paper in his left hand. It is called "Weishi Zhong", which means "Weishi Zhong". He is the god of good and evil; the one on the right has bare feet, with a water jar at his feet, and long hair with dripping hands. His name is "Nanwa Songtni", which means the god of the earth. This is another symbol of Mahayana Buddhism in the mainland. What it doesn’t have.
Mengbanasi Treasure Garden is located on the east side of the southern section of Yonghan Street in Mangshi. It is a national AAAA level scenic spot.
It is said that there are four best places in the country: the largest number of century-old trees (more than 500) and the largest sizes in the country; the number and exquisite products of tree fossils and tree-turned jade (1,000). More than tons); the large number of large (ancient) tree transplants (more than 500 trees) and the high survival rate (96%) are the highest in the country.
There are a large number of tree-turned-jade specimens on display in the collection hall. A large section of thick tree trunk, the shape and texture are clearly that of a tree, but it has long since turned into a beautiful translucent jade.
These tree-turned-jades have a history of 50 million years, 100 million years or even 200 million years. They are filled with colorful water stones, gallstones, jade and jade in a room large and small. So beautiful.
Fengping Pagoda
The Dai people in Dehong believe in Theravada Buddhism, and many Myanmar temples and pagodas are built in every village. In the Mangshi area, the most famous one is located in Xiyo, Mangshi A splendid pagoda stands 6 kilometers away from Fengping Township. It is the famous Fengping pagoda, which is called "Guangmu" by the local Dai people.
Fengping Pagoda is one of the scenic spots and historic sites in Dehong Prefecture.
Tall and majestic, with exquisite and gorgeous shapes, well-proportioned and ingenious, the architectural concept is novel and has unique national characteristics. It is a treasure among the Hinayana Buddhist architecture of the Dai people.
The pagoda has a long history. According to historical records, the earliest Fengping pagodas include the east pagoda and the west pagoda.
In the sixth year of Qianlong's reign (1741), the Dai chieftain of Mangshi invited an elder to preside over the construction of the East Tower.
The West Pagoda is called "Guangmu Gangmeng" in Dai language, which means the central tower of Mangshi Dam.
The tower was damaged by an earthquake in 1805, but was repaired in time and was destroyed again in 1966.
The current pagoda was rebuilt in 1986.
The rebuilt Fengping Pagoda has a main tower 23 meters high and is surrounded by 28 small towers, like stars holding the moon, guarding the main tower, forming a tall and majestic main tower. The shape is complex, rigorous, and majestic. There are exquisite and clear golden umbrellas slightly below the spires of the main tower and sub-towers. There are silver lings on the edges of the umbrellas, which sway in the wind and make a tinkling sound, which is pleasant to the ear.
Whenever the sun sets in the west and the sunset glows like fire, the scene becomes even more spectacular, with the glittering golden pagoda dazzling the eyes.
Fengping Pagoda is also the center of entertainment activities for the Dai people.
In every grand national festival of the Dai people, the Dai people in Fengping Township will hold the "Guangmu Festival" here. People beat the gongs and foot drums, dance the "Gayang Dance" and celebrate. Celebrate the harvest.
There are crowds of people around the bustling pagoda, and people often dance all night long to keep their fun alive.