Honghe Overview

Located in the southeast of Yunnan Provice, Honghe prefecture borders Vietnam. The boundary line is 848 kilometers. Its terrain is divided into mountains, karst plateau, basins and river valleys four parts. The highest point of Honghe prefecture is the Xilong Mountain(西隆山) in the southwest of Jinping county, 3074.3 meters above the sea level; Lowest point is in the junction of Honghe River and Nanxi River in Hekou county, 76.4 meters above the sea level(it is also the lowest point of Yunnan). Rivers in Honghe belong to Pearl River and Honghe River basins. Drainage area of Pearl River is 12837.2 square kilometers, accounting for 39.9%; Honghe River is 19343.8 square kilometers, taking up 60.1%.

Climate

Honghe Prefecture lies in subtropical plateau monsoon climate area with a low latitude. In the Prefecture, the four seasons are not very clear, but the difference between dry and rainy season is notable. The rainfall in rainy season from May to October each year accounts for more than 80% of annual rainfall. The period of heavy rainfall intensity is from June to august and the rainfall varies from time and space. Rainy season has the characteristics of heavy rainfall intensity and long duration. Temperature varies greatly between day and night, but slightly during the whole year. 

Administrative Divisions

Honghe Prefecture has jurisdiction over 4 cities and 9 counties, including Mengzi City(蒙自市), Gejiu City(个旧市), Kaiyuan City(开远市), Mile City(弥勒市), Yuanyang County(元阳县), Honghe County(红河县), Shiping County(石屏县), Luxi County(泸西县), Lvchun County(绿春县), Jianshui County(建水县), Hekou County(河口县), Pingbian County(屏边县), Jinping County(金平县).

Main Tourist Destinations in Honghe

1. Yuanyang County(元阳)

Yuanyang is one of the Hani minority regions of Yunnan. It is a popular destination with photographers.

Attractions in Yuanyang: Yuanyang Hani Rice Terrace, Laohuzui Terrace, Bada Terrace, Duoyishu Terrace and Qingkou Folk Village.

2. Jianshui County(建水)

Jianshui, with a long history of more than 1200 years, was called Lin'an in the ancient time, it used to be a very important trading city. 

Attractions in Jianshui: Jianshui Ancient Town, Jianshui Confucius Temple, Shuanglong Bridge and Jianshui Swallow Cave etc.

3. Gejiu City(个旧)

Gejiu City is the capital of Tin. There is the Grand Mosque of Shadian, which is the largest mosque in southeast China.

Attractions in Gejiu City: Grand Mosque of Shadian, Jiajizhai Village Pear Blossom Valley, Baohua Park, Jinhu Lake etc.

4. Mile City(弥勒市)

Mile is famous for its cigarette factory, which produces the Red Pagoda Brand.   

Attractions in Mile City: Jinping Mountain Scenic Spot, Huqian Ecological Park, Bailongdong Cave Scenic Spot.

5. Luxi County(泸西县)

Luxi County is famous for the Alu Ancient Caves, which is a few kilometers from the north of Zhongshu Town. 

Attractions in Luxi County: Alu Landscape and Famous Scenery, Baishuitang Reservoir(白水塘水库), Chengzi Ancient Village(城子古村) and Luxi Guan Temple(泸西武庙).

Transportation

1. When you plan to Honghe Prefecture, the main transportation means to get to and get away Honghe prefecture is long-distance bus. Surely, you can also take trains to Honghe prefecture. Airports in Mengzi City, Mile City and Yuanyang County are under plan and construction. With the development of online ticketing service, you can book tickets online in advance.

2. When you get around Honghe Prefecture, you can take a taxi or bus around a city or a county in Honghe. If you want to travel between cities and counties, you can get regular bus tickets in Bus terminals. For a place that has no bus terminal, chartered minibus is a good choice.

Ethnic Culture

Ethnic groups include Han, Yi, Hani, Miao, Zhuang, Dai, Yao, Hui, Lahu, Bai, etc, living in Honghe. There are some folk activities like Huadeng dance(花灯舞) of Yi ethnic minority, Long Street Banquet of Hani ethnic people, Lion dance (Tiaoshizi) festival of Miao ethnic minority, Manggu dance(芒鼓舞) and Yuezuo dance(乐作舞) of Hani people etc, by which you can know something about minority residential and dress culture. 

Local Specialty

Local specialty like Jianshui Purple Pottery, Gejiu Tin Arts and Crafts, Hani Embroidery, Hani Costume, Mengzi Bridge Noodle and Shipin Tofu are well-known in Honghe, Yunnan.

History

Honghe Prefecture has a long history. Dating back to more than 15 million years ago, the Lama fossil anthropoid was founded in Kaiyuan Xiaolongtan of Honghe Prefecture(红河州开远小龙潭). After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the South Yunnan administrative office(滇南行署) was established in 1950, then Mengzi government office(蒙自专员公署). In 1954, Honghe Hani Autonomous Prefecture was established in the southern area of Honghe. In 1957, the Honghe Hani Autonomous Prefecture was merged with the Mengzi government office to establish Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture.

Economy

Honghe is the fourth largest economy in Yunnan province, ranking first among the 30 Ethnic Minority autonomous prefectures in terms of economic aggregate and some socio-economic indicators.