Ancient Tea and Salt Trail

　　    Lanping has been a major producer of iodized salt since ancient times and was an important salt-producing region in western Yunnan. The Ancient Tea and Salt Trail gained fame because of this. The trail stretches eastward to Dali and Lijiang, linking to central Yunnan; westward to the Nujiang River, leading to Myanmar and India; and eastward to Weixi and Deqen, providing access to Tibet. It served as a vital link between diverse cultural, religious, and ethnic regions.

　　    (1) Fuhe Mountain Ancient Tea and Salt Trail

　　    The Fuhe Mountain Ancient Tea and Salt Trail is located within the forty-li mountain valley forest along the Lancang River on Fuhe Mountain. Over 200 meters of the original stone-paved path still remain, while other sections, though no longer paved, are still faintly visible. The most famous part is the “root-entwined road,” where years of constant travel by merchants and pack horses wore down the earth and stones, exposing tree roots that twisted together to form the path. It is both a historical relic and a natural wonder. The forty-li valley extends from an elevation of 2,650 meters up to over 3,000 meters, featuring gentle slopes and long streams, with lush vegetation. There are pine, fir, birch, maple, shrubs, mixed woods, bamboo groves, and azaleas. The dense layers of forest enhance the beauty of the ancient trail. The presence of lambs, calves, local villagers, and travelers adds a touch of daily life, harmoniously blending natural scenery with human warmth, creating a uniquely charming atmosphere.

　　    (2) Lanping Courier Road

　　    The courier road from Lajijing to Jianchuan is known as the “Salt Road Mountain” and was the main route for salt transport. However, due to high mountains, steep slopes, rugged paths, and frequent disruptions during the rainy season, it underwent a major renovation in the late Qing Dynasty. According to the *Newly Compiled Gazetteer of Yunnan*, in the second year of the Tongzhi reign (1863 AD), General Yang Yukuo, Commandant Wang Wuran, Salt Intendant Liu Kerang, and Xu Youshu “renovated the salt road.” Some sections were paved with flagstones. Salt Road Mountain lies east of the county seat, belonging to the Yunling Mountain Range, with its main peak reaching an elevation of 4,295 meters—majestic, grand, and imposing. To the east lies the Misha River and Madeng Basin, to the west the Lanping Basin, while ridges and valleys stretch north and south, crisscrossed by streams. The mountain is high and rugged, making travel difficult, often beset by wind, frost, rain, and snow, creating perilous conditions. As a result, emergency shelters were established along the ridge to aid those in distress, some of which have evolved into notable sites, reflecting the bustling and unyielding salt transport activities of the past, renowned far and wide.