Jiegao

Jiegao

Jiegao is a national AAA-level tourist attraction.

Jiegao is located 4 kilometers south of Ruili City, covering a total area of 1.92 square kilometers. It borders the Myanmar town of Muse to the east, south, and north, and is just 500 meters from the center of Muse. The border line stretches approximately 4 kilometers, featuring 9 boundary markers. A major highway runs north through the town, extending east to Lashio and Mandalay and west to Bhamo and Myitkyina. Jiegao serves as an ideal gateway for southwestern China to connect with Southeast and South Asia, holding significant economic and strategic importance.

The name "Jiegao" comes from the Dai language, meaning "old city." Legend has it that someone built a city here during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties. In 1987, Jiegao was designated as a key area for two-way opening along China’s western border, and in February 1991, the "Jiegao Border Trade Economic Zone" was officially approved. Today, 50% to 60% of Yunnan’s border trade goods pass through Jiegao, with over 1,500 vehicles crossing daily. It has become the largest border trade port in Yunnan.

To get to Jiegao from Ruili, you must cross the Jiegao Bridge over the Ruili River. Spanning 470 meters, it is the longest road bridge in Yunnan and the longest on the southwestern border, earning it the title "First Bridge at the Edge of the World." Beneath the bridge, the river surges with waves, while lush bamboo forests line both banks, and traditional Dai houses nestle among fruit trees—offering stunning subtropical scenery. Upon entering Jiegao, you’re greeted by a large sculpture, followed by a wide 1.5-kilometer boulevard running east-west. The town features a vibrant mix of Dai, Burmese, Chinese, and Western architectural styles, with shops brimming with handicrafts, cosmetics, clothing, gold and silver jewelry, and goods from around the world. Merchants from many countries freely come and go here, investing and trading, contributing to the town’s growing prosperity.