Dawn City

　　    Yingjianghong is the seat of the Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture and a town in Jinghong County. “Yingjianghong” translates from the Dai language as “Dawn City,” originating from a legend in which a brave young man defeats a demon, seizes a bright pearl, and hangs it high on a coconut tree. The pearl shines brilliantly, dispelling the darkness and bringing dawn. Hence, people commonly refer to it as “Dawn City.” In the past, “Dawn City” was the residence of the Dai chieftain, known in the Dai language as “Zhao Pian Ling,” which translates as “Master of the Vast Land.”

　　    The main streets of Dawn City—Minzu Road and Dongfeng Road—are lined on both sides of the roadway with green corridors of oil palm trees, interspersed with betel palms, mangoes, banyan leaves, palms, and coconut groves, exuding a subtropical fragrance all year round. These two green corridors separate the motor vehicles from the bicycle lanes on either side, ensuring an orderly flow of bustling traffic. Pedestrians walk along the sidewalks on both sides of the bicycle lanes. Cangjiang Road, running from east to west, is another major street in Dawn City.

　　    During the Water-Splashing Festival, bright red phoenix flowers bloom vibrantly along the streets. At the busiest central intersection, grand and spacious buildings such as the post office, department store, Xinhua Bookstore, and state-run hotel cluster together. The four main streets that radiate from this junction extend in four different directions. The nearly ten-kilometer-long ring road around the city is broad and flat, lined with phoenix flower trees, silver birches, and oil palms in shades of red and green, resembling a giant floral wreath encircling Dawn City.

　　    In the city center lies Peacock Lake, adjacent to the headquarters of the prefectural Party committee and government. With rippling green waters and blooming water lilies, it is a serene and picturesque spot ideal for strolling and sightseeing. In Dawn City, visitors can explore Chunhuan Park, take part in water-splashing activities at the Dai ethnic cultural village, and shop for local specialties at the free market.