Jinping in Yunnan is truly beautiful (with travel tips)

Besides Dali and Lijiang, Yunnan has a hidden gem of a border town called Jinping, a land brimming with vitality. The locals are simple, sincere, and enthusiastic, with everyone loving their life. Jinping, the longevity valley of the Yao community Jinping is known as the land of longevity, with its rich natural ecology being a characteristic feature. 'Colorful border town, long-lived Jinping' is the local slogan for this city. Ma'andi Township is located to the east of Jinping County, bordering Vietnam, with a land area of 284.7 square kilometers and a border line stretching 156 kilometers. The forest coverage rate reaches 70%, and within its territory are the Bianshuiyan Folk Village, Pinghe Grassland, Lading Waterfall, Tiansheng Bridge, and other scenic spots. The area is home to over 400 species from 11 of the 12 butterfly families found in China, earning it the reputation of 'China's Honghe Butterfly Valley.' Every year from May to June, a spectacular scene unfolds with hundreds of millions of butterflies dancing in the air. The region has a significant elevation range (116 meters to 3012 meters), with cloud-shrouded mountains and vast green expanses. The vertical climate is distinct, with a clear vertical zonation. The unique climate has led to a well-preserved biodiversity of vertical vegetation types, including ancient tea tree groves spanning thousands of acres. The Yao community - ancient tea-making techniques Ma'andi Township is an ethnic enclave, home to the Miao, Yao, Hani, Yi, and Han nationalities. Minority cultural traditions are well-preserved here, with the distinctive Red-headed Yao being located in this area. The name Red-headed Yao comes from the women's unique headwear, where only a tuft of hair is left on the top of the head, wrapped in a red cloth about a meter long and 50 centimeters wide, shaped into a conical or cylindrical form, resembling a blooming banana flower. Nowadays, influenced by Han culture, some Red-headed Yao women have started to grow their hair long, but they still retain the tradition of wrapping their heads in red cloth. With the support of the local government, local tea factories have combined traditional tea-making techniques with ancient local methods, continuously improving them. The tea production and quality have significantly increased. The ancient tree tea is made by the local Red-headed Yao, with thick and robust buds and leaves, a rich aroma, a smooth taste, a lingering sweetness, durability in brewing, a yellow soup color, and an excellent refreshing taste. After being busy for so long, why not take some time off for yourself, visit Jinping, dance with the butterflies in the mountains, and savor a cup of ancient tree tea made by the Red-headed Yao under the magnificent Lading Waterfall.