Baoshan Prefacture

Hiking dormant volcanic peaks, dipping in hot springs, peeping about traditional villages. That pretty much ums up this region that was therefore ignored. When people say Baoshan they really mean Tengchong. Besides the volcanos, the region is very attractive to the visitors with old quarters and especially its environs, peppered with minority tribes whose villages lie in and around the ancient fire mountains. Located on the other side of Gaolingong Mountain ranges, Tengchong is also prime earthquakes measuring over five on the Richter Scale since 15th century.

as early as the 4th and 5th centuries BC (200 years older than the northern routes through Asia.), the Baoshan rarea was an important stop on the Southern Silk Road of the Sichuan - Indian Route. The area did not come under Chinese control until the Han Dynasty, when in AD 69, it was named the Yongchuan Administrative, in 1277 a huge battle was waged in the region between the 12,000 troops of Kublai Khan and 60,000 Burmese soldiers and their elephants. The Mongols won and went on to take Pagan (in Burma). Marco Polo visited the town in the 13th century when it was known as Yongchuan and marveled at the locals' gold teeth and tattoos.

Local Specialties

Baohan has unnmuerable speciality products that range from exellent coffee to leather boots and pepper and silk. The connoisseurs might like to try the reclining Buddha Tea, a brand national repute. Shadow puppet and Paper umbrella made in Gudong county. Jadeware, traditional Chinese herbal medicines, Xuan bark paper, and rattan works.

Sightseeing around Baoshan City

Baoshan streets are lively, dotted with traditional houses, the major sight within easy walking distance of the centre of down town is Tai Bao Shan Hill and its surrounding park. Just before you head up the steps leading up the hillside you will see the Ming Dynasty Huhuang Pavillion and the attached Jade Buddha Temple on your right, at the top of the steps is the small park and the Wuhouci Ancestral Temple, which has a nice garden and teahouse. Wuhou was the title given to Prime Minister Zhu Ge Liang in the Three Kingdom Period in the kingdom of Shu.

There are paths in the park heading north, west and south. The northern path doubles back to the south and eventually takes you past a small zoo. Continuing to the south you will reach Yiluo Pond, also known as the Dragon Spring Pond, with a view of the 13-tiered pagoda known as the Wenbi Pagoda.

Wofo Si (Reclining Buddha Temple)

just 15 km north of the town, the Temple is one of most important historical sights near Baoshan. The Temple dates back to the Tang Dynasty, and his a history of 1200 years. The reclining Buddha, in a cave to the rear of the temple. To get to the temple, take a minibus (2 Yuan).