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heqing

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Heqing County (鹤庆县) is located in the northwest of Yunnan Province, China, within Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. It lies on the important Dali–Lijiang route, making it a key stop for travelers between these two major tourist destinations.

Key Facts:

  • Area: 2,395 km²
  • Population: ~281,000 (as of 2018)
  • Ethnic Composition: 68.5% ethnic minorities, mainly Bai, Yi, Miao, and Lisu
  • County Seat: Yunhe Town
  • Altitude: Ranges from 1,162 m to 3,958 m
  • Climate: Plateau monsoon climate with dry winters and wet summers

Cultural & Natural Highlights:

  • Xinhua Village: Famous for traditional silverware craftsmanship
  • Caohai Wetland: A highland wetland and ecological attraction
  • Shuahai Festival: A traditional Bai ethnic celebration held annually

Transportation:

  • Air: 14 km from Lijiang Airport
  • Rail: Direct high-speed trains from Kunming (2–3 hours)
  • Road: Connected via the Dali–Lijiang Expressway
Heqing is known for its ethnic diversity, craft heritage, and scenic landscapes, making it both a cultural and natural destination in Yunnan.

Location & Access

  • 5–7 km north of Heqing county seat
  • 12 km from Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (≈10 min drive)

  • No public bus; reachable by taxi, ride-share, bicycle or tour van

Craft Heritage

  • 3,000+ family workshops still use ancestral small-hammer techniques
  • In 2014 “Heqing silver craft” was added to China’s National Int

1. Where it is

  • 5–7 km north of Heqing county seat, on the south-western edge of Lijiang plain
  • 12 km (≈10 min drive) from Lijiang Sanyi International Airport; no public bus, so visitors arrive by taxi, ride-share, bicycle or tour van
  • Altitude ≈ 2,000 m; backed by Fenghuang Mountain and fronted by the Caohai plateau wetland, giving it the nickname “Water-town on the High Plateau”

2. Why it matters

  • Over 3,000 family workshops still use the “small-hammer-for-1,000-years” technique; sound of tapping can be heard in every lane

  • In 2014 “Heqing silver craft” was listed as National Intangible Cultural Heritage; masters such as Cun Fabiao and Mu Binglin have had pieces collected by the Cultural Palace of Nationalities and by UNESCO

Products range from traditional butter-tea pots, Tibetan helmets and Miao headdresses to modern jewellery and designer tea-sets; sold all over China and exported to Nepal, India, Japan, the U.S., etc.

  • More than half of village labour force works in metalware; annual sales exceed RMB 170 million

3. What you can see & do

  • Silver-smithing demonstration courtyards: watch a ingot become a filigree bracelet in 20 minutes
  • Yindu Shuixiang (Silver Capital Water-Land) scenic area: stone bridges, artesian springs, white-walled Bai houses with grey tile and “three-house-one-screen-wall” courtyards
  • Caohai Wetland Park (free): black-necked cranes in winter, board-walks at sunset
  • Local food: Heqing rice cake, blown pig-liver, raw-hide salad, copper-pot stewed rice; many courtyard cafés now run by young returnees who combine coffee, craft beer and silver-design studios

Heqing silverware refers to the traditional hand-forged silver crafts produced in Heqing County, Yunnan Province, China—especially in Xinhua Village, known as the “First Silver Village” in China. This craft has a history of over 1,000 years, primarily passed down among the Bai ethnic group.

Key Features:

  • Material: Pure silver (often 999 sterling silver)
  • Craftsmanship: Includes techniques like filigree, relief carving, micro-carving, and three-dimensional engraving
  • Products: Tea sets (e.g., silver teapots, cups), jewelry (bracelets, rings, earrings), and decorative items (e.g., dragon-themed sculptures, screens)

Cultural Significance:

National Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2014
  • Over 3,000 workshops in Xinhua Village
  • Generates significant local employment—over 5,600 people directly involved in silver crafting

Notable Artisans:

  • Li Yaohua: Focuses on integrating silverware into daily life with practical designs
  • Cun Fa Biao: Created the massive silver screen “Chinese National Family Builds the Chinese Dream”, depicting all 56 ethnic groups

Where to Buy:

  • Xinhua Silverware Art Town in Heqing County
  • Prices are generally lower and more authentic than in tourist-heavy towns like Lijiang or Dali
  • Look for shops inside the “Water Town Silver Capital” archway for better prices
If you’re visiting, you can also try short silver crafting experiences—some shops offer half-day workshops to make simple jewelry like rings.

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