Pu’er: Where delights along the Nanlang River lure tourists

As evening falls, twilight gently blankets the Nanlang River. Along its banks, within Pu’er City’s Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, the over 1,000-meter-long Lancang Street gradually stirs to life, its entire length soon aglow with bright lights.

A busy market in Pu'er

Featuring an abundant array of fresh vegetables and fruits, savory wild mountain greens, and rare delicacies like wasp pupae and edible insects, Lancang Street is a beloved spot for locals and those from nearby counties. It also attracts countless tourists who travel from afar specifically to experience the market’s vibrant and unique ethnic minority atmosphere.

“Local mini corn, freshly charcoal-grilled, two for 5 yuan!” called out the vendor, a man nearing fifty, from behind his grilled corn stall. With practiced hands, he tirelessly turned corn, sweet potatoes, and potatoes over the glowing charcoal. The instant a passerby hesitated, he would pivot, launching into an enthusiastic sales pitch.

These unassuming stalls are the key to Lancang Street’s lasting vibrancy. Particularly on Saturday evenings, farmers from surrounding villages arrive under the cover of night to establish their temporary shops, filling the market with a dazzling array of mountain produce that beautifully captures the essence of local rural life.

With Lancang Street’s surging popularity, the existing market setup along the county’s main thoroughfare became insufficient to meet escalating demand. In response, in 2019, the Lancang County government attracted investment to comprehensively plan the Nanlang River’s western section. This project led to the relocation of the entire Lancang Street market and the establishment of Lahu Town, creating a modern street night market. This new street now functions as a dynamic cultural tourism hub, expertly weaving together Lahu cultural promotion, a vibrant creative industries scene, and popular contemporary trends.

Lancang Street today offers more than just mountain produce; it presents a panoramic spectacle of rich ethnic customs. It has shed its former weekend-only vibrancy, now thriving as a unique market bustling with activity and life daily. Stalls line the street in an endless procession, wisps of cooking smoke rise, and the sounds of music and vendors’ calls blend into a delightful chorus. The air, thick with the irresistible scents of grilling food and fresh fruits, frequently lures passersby to pause. Brightly lit shops along the street warmly beckon customers inside. In their parents’ arms, children curiously observe this vibrant world, their eyes wide with wonder.

Lancang Street’s success has also catalyzed the development of neighboring cultural and entertainment facilities. Along its vibrant thoroughfare, specialty coffee shops and creative cultural stores now abound. Here, visitors can not only savor authentic local delicacies but also discover unique ethnic cultures and witness the dynamic interplay between creativity and modern trends. Tradition and modernity seamlessly merge in this space, as ancient ethnic cultures radiate renewed vitality in this new era, drawing increasing numbers to explore its distinctive allure.