Longyang District 隆阳区

Setting and landscape

The Gaoligong Mountains (高黎贡山) cross the district, which makes it part of a national nature reserve, a world biosphere reserve and the Three Parallel Rivers world natural heritage site. Heights range from 648 to 3,659.6 metres, and the Baoshan basin (保山坝), at 149.9 square kilometres, is the largest area of flat land. The district government sums up the climate as "four seasons on one mountain", with an annual mean of 16.8°C. Lujiang (潞江镇) lies at the lower end of the Nu River gorge, where the river opens into the largest flat valley floor of the canyon.

History

Under the Zhou the area was the chief town of the Ailao kingdom (哀牢国). Yongchang Commandery (永昌郡) was set up here in AD 69, and the name Baoshan dates from 1524, when Baoshan County was created. The district was a key point on the ancient Shu–Shendu road (蜀身毒道) to India and on the Southern Silk Road, and the Burma Road (滇缅公路), the wartime international supply line, runs through it. Baoshan County became a county-level city in 1983 and was reorganised as Longyang District in 2000.

What to see

In the city centre are Taibao Mountain Forest Park (太保山森林公园), Yiluo Pool (易罗池) and Renshou Gate (仁寿门), which the district government calls the only surviving old city gate of Baoshan. Qinghua Lake (青华海) is described as the largest open park in the district. National protected sites include the Hanzhuang walled-town site (汉庄城址), Guangzun Temple (光尊寺) and the Guanpo ancient post road (官坡古驿道) at Banqiao (板桥镇), and two more stretches of old post road at Puxiao (蒲缥镇): Lengshuiqing (冷水箐古驿道) and Panshegu (盘蛇谷古驿道). Baihualing (百花岭) village in Mangkuan (芒宽), in the gorge between the Gaoligong and Nu mountains, is known for birdwatching.

Food and local products

Lujiang is the district's "coffee valley", growing Baoshan small-bean coffee (保山小粒咖啡), a national geographical-indication product, alongside mangoes and dragon fruit. The Baoshan touxinlu bean (透心绿) is a small local broad bean whose white skin hides a bright green kernel; it is roasted into a snack called paochaodou (泡炒豆). Baoshan agate carving (保山玛瑙雕刻) is on the provincial intangible heritage list, and Lancheng (兰城街道) is a centre for carving and trading the stone. Wutong zouyin (乌铜走银, literally "silver running on black copper") is another provincial heritage craft.

Highlights

• Renshou Gate 仁寿门: The only surviving old city gate of Baoshan, according to the district government.
• Qinghua Lake 青华海: Described by the district government as the largest open park in the district.
• Hanzhuang walled-town site 汉庄城址: Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.
• Guanpo ancient post road 官坡古驿道: National protected stretch of old road at Banqiao.
• Baoshan small-bean coffee 保山小粒咖啡: Geographical-indication coffee grown in the Lujiang valley.
• Baoshan agate carving 保山玛瑙雕刻: Provincial intangible heritage; Lancheng is a carving and trading centre.