Heijing Ancient Town Old Street
黑井古镇古街
A thousand-year-old salt capital in the Longchuan River gorge. A stone-paved old street runs along the river, with salt merchants' mansions, memorial archways, temples and historic salt wells packed into one or two kilometers.
Heijing grew rich on salt. In the Ming and Qing dynasties its salt tax at one point made up more than 60% of the total for all of Yunnan Province. It is one of China's Famous Historical and Cultural Towns and a national 4A-level scenic area. The old town is wedged between two mountains in the Longchuan River gorge. The main street runs north from Wuma Bridge, lined with salt merchants' mansions, shops and inns. Along the way you can see Qing'an Embankment, Heiniu Salt Well, the Jiexiao Memorial Archway, the Wu Family Compound, Dalong Temple and the Confucius Temple. A combined old-town ticket costs about 30 yuan and is valid 09:00–18:00. You can join a free guided tour. From Kunming, take a slow green-carriage train on the Chengdu–Kunming Railway to Heijing Station. Buses run from Chuxiong. Staying a night is recommended, since it's quieter in the early morning and evening and the light is better. Local specialties include Heijing salt-baked chicken, salt tofu and guoba salt.
Opening hours
09:00–18:00 (old street walkable all day)
Nearby sights
- Wuma Bridge
- Heiniu Salt Well
- Dalong Temple
- Jiexiao Memorial Archway
- Wu Family Compound
- Heijing Confucius Temple
- Feilai Temple (Heijing)
- Heijing Ancient Salt Workshop