Yisa Ancient Town 迤萨古镇

About Yisa Ancient Town

According to People's Daily Overseas Edition, the name Yisa comes from the Yi-Bula language and means 'arid, water-scarce place.' More than a hundred years ago, Yisa traders opened eleven caravan routes into Southeast Asia, developing a distinctive caravan (mabang) culture alongside the town's identity as a hometown of overseas Chinese.

The East Gate Tower and Yisa Residences complex includes a three-storey brick gate tower inscribed with the town's name, plus the Yao and Qian family compounds and twelve further old residences built in a Sino-Western fusion style along the ridge, with more than 100 further old residences scattered through the town; most date to the Qing dynasty and early Republican period. The Honghe County Museum, opened in 2018, occupies two courtyards within this complex and displays 457 items and sets of caravan- and overseas-Chinese-related artefacts across seven permanent exhibition units. In 2024 the old town was rated a national 4A-grade tourist attraction.

What to look for

• the East Gate Tower (东门楼)
• the Yao family compound (姚家大院) and Qian family compound (钱家大院)
• the Honghe County Museum, housed in the Yaochu and Qian'erguan courtyards

Location & getting there

Getting to Yisa Ancient Town

Identify the main visitor approach and any separately managed houses, museums or performances. Ask before entering residential spaces or photographing residents.

• Search for 迤萨古镇 with 红河哈尼族彝族自治州 and 红河县.