Wings side by side soar above the golden and silver pagodas, a unique village divided between two countries, on the 68th day of the self-drive tour around China

May 21, 2023, the 68th day of the self-drive tour around China, from Zhenkang in Yunnan to Mangshi in Yunnan. Sometimes on national roads, sometimes on county roads, climbing over one mountain after another, the roads winding and twisting. On one side, sheer cliffs, on the other, the waters of the Nu River. Driving through, it's as if sketching out a naturally formed picture. A special mention: in Pingba Street, I was stopped by traffic police for no reason, to check for mixed passenger and cargo transport. This was the only time during the self-drive tour around China that I was checked for this, which was quite absurd. The Menghuan Golden Pagoda stands tall on the top of Leiya Rang Mountain in Mangshi, shining brilliantly. The Golden Pagoda, with its unique architectural style, displays the charm of a South Asian Dai royal palace. Surrounded by beautiful mountains and clear waters, the environment is elegant, with a broad view. The pagoda is 73 meters tall and 50 meters wide at the base, an octagonal hollow Buddhist pagoda. The first-floor hall covers an area of about 2000 square meters, with four Buddha statues sculpted on the central pillar facing east, west, south, and north. Inside the pagoda, the hall is spacious and bright, the Buddha statues solemn and compassionate, each spot reflecting the profound depth of Buddhist culture. Here, people meditate on the Dharma, letting go of the worldly noise. It is said that walking three circles around the Golden Pagoda and then entering the pagoda (please remove shoes) will lead to the fulfillment of merit. Looking up at its majestic stature, overlooking the beautiful scenery of Mangshi, the Golden Pagoda is a place where one lingers and forgets to return. The Menghuan Silver Pagoda, also known as the Mangshi Great Silver Pagoda, is located close to the Menghuan Golden Pagoda. It was built in recent years, with the entire pagoda based on a pure white theme. At the entrance of the scenic area, the 'Buddha Handprint' sculpture is exquisitely beautiful. The Golden Pagoda is a hollow Buddhist pagoda, while the Great Silver Pagoda is a solid one. The Silver Pagoda has four levels, each composed of a smaller pagoda. When a gentle breeze blows, the bells on the Silver Pagoda ring out with a pleasant sound. Under the sunlight, the Silver Pagoda glitters, resembling a silver palace. The platform below the pagoda is fitted with glass, creating a feeling of being in the sky. This place is a paradise for photography enthusiasts, unfortunately, drone photography is not allowed. The brick pagoda body has developed cracks over time and has gradually accumulated dust. With the spring rain, a banyan tree seed took root and sprouted in the crevice of the pagoda. Thus, the ancient pagoda gradually became enveloped by the banyan tree, forming a spectacle of a tree wrapping around the pagoda. With lush foliage above and the shining pagoda below, it's a truly unique sight. Now, the tree on top of the pagoda has grown to over 30 meters high, with a canopy covering nearly 1000 square meters. The Dai ancient town is not a real ancient town, but that doesn't affect the enjoyment and photography. The flowing water in the ancient town embraces the beauty of the mountains and rivers, with different scenes in each season. Strolling through, one feels the strong Dai ethnic style, with fewer tourists during the day. The town is full of Dai delicacies, where people revel in the accessible joys of life. At night, the ancient town is brightly lit, colorful. The dazzling interplay of light and shadow dresses the town like a fairyland. The yearning in your heart, when you step into the ancient town, you find the answer. The village divided between two countries is located next to the famous No. 71 boundary marker on the China-Myanmar border in Ruili. The border line splits a Dai village in two, with the Chinese side called Yinjing and the Myanmar side called Mangxiu. The scenic area includes attractions such as the well and swing of the village divided between two countries. Unfortunately, due to special reasons, the other side of the village in Myanmar is not yet open. The jade stone border line is paved with jade stones, with yellow representing China and white representing Myanmar. The Friendship Bridge spans two countries, with the bridge surface inlaid with Burmese jade. Due to the belief in Theravada Buddhism, the scenic area includes a 'miniature Shwedagon Pagoda' and Theravada Buddhist landscapes. The online reviews for the village divided between two countries are average, mainly because the commercial atmosphere is too strong. In my opinion, it's worth a visit, but don't shop. For the city of Mangshi, what touches people the most is that it still accommodates the ancient Dai culture while also embracing the most fashionable and trendy features. Half of it is the hustle and bustle of life, and the other half is the story of the years.