Baoshan Overview
1. Basic Information
● Chinese Name: 保山市
● Area: 19,637 square kilometers
● Population: 2,597,000(2016)
● Zip code: 678000
● Dialing code: (+86) 0875
2. Location
Baoshan is situated in the southwest of Yunnan Province, bordered by Burma in the south and northwest. It neighbors Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture in the northeast and Lincang Region in the east, crossing 98 43 '~ 99 26' east longitude, 24 46 '~ 25 38' north latitude. The Nujiang (Salween River) flows through the entire length of the prefecture, north to south. It is nearly 500 kilometers (310 miles) from Kunming, the capital city of Yunnan Province.
3. Administrative Division
The city-prefecture of Baoshan has jurisdiction over 1 district(Longyang), 1 county-level city(Tengchong), 3 counties((Shidian, Longling, Changning), 2 subdistricts, 24 towns, and 46 townships(including 11 ethnic townships). The city government sits in Longyang district.
4. Ethnic People
Baoshan has 36 ethnic minorities in total. Among them, 13 ethnic minorities inhabits there generation by generation. They are Dai, Yi, Bai, Miao, Dai, Hui, Wa, Man, Lisu, Jingpo, Achang, Bulang, Deang.
5. Climate and Weather
Baoshan climate is warm and temperate. In Baoshan, the summers are hot, oppressive, wet, and mostly cloudy; the winters are very cold and partly cloudy; and it is windy year round. The average temperature in Baoshan is 16.2 °C. In a year, the average rainfall is 999 mm.
6. Best Time to Visit
It is suitable for traveling Baoshan all the year round. In every March and May, Baoshan is covered with spring flowers, green flowers and beautiful scenery. From August to December, the autumn in Baoshan comes with cool weather, which is very suitable for travelling. Especially from mid-November to early December, it is the best choice to visit ginkgo village in Tengchong.
7. Things to Do
Baoshan is a significant post of the famous Southwest Silk Road. Travel along the Yunnan-Burma highway and explore every historic site of Southwest Silk Road. The main attractions in Baoshan include Tengchong Hot Sea, Tengchong Volcano Park, Dieshuihe Waterfall, Heshun Township, Wofo Temple, etc.
8. How to Get to Baoshan?
Baoshan can be accessible by air and long-distance bus. Baoshan Yunrui Airport has flights flying to and from Kunming, Chengdu, Nanjing, Hangzhou, Changsha, Xian, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Beijing, Guiyang, etc.
There are two Passenger Transport Bus Stations in Baoshan, which are the South Passenger Transport Bus Station and the North Passenger Transport Bus Station. Tourists can take bus to Baoshan from Gongshan, Ruili, Tengchong, Lijiang, Kunming, etc.
9. History
Baoshan was called Yongchang in ancient times. Historically, it was the first residence for human settlers in western Yunnan. During the middle period of the Warring States Period (476BC-221BC), it was the center of ancient Ailao Kingdom. As the Ailao Kingdom turned to decline, Yongchang Shire, the origin of Baoshan City was established in the year of 69 of the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) as the second largest shire in the country. It was during the Tang (618-907) and Song (960-1279) dynasties that it successively belonged to two ethnic regimes, Nanzhao State and Dali State. The name of Baoshan was first used in 1524.
