Bisezhai Scenic Area

The Bisezhai Scenic Area is located in Caoba Town, Mengzi City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is one of the earliest railway stations in modern Chinese history. This was once a core special-grade station on the Yunnan-Vietnam Railway, built by the French a century ago. In that era, as an important transit hub for Yunnan's foreign trade, merchants gathered here, and traffic was bustling. Its extreme prosperity earned it the reputation of "Little Paris of the East." Today, this quiet mountain village, built halfway up a mountain, has become Mengzi's most popular must-visit destination due to its profound historical heritage.

The scenic area still preserves a large number of French-style buildings and the old station's appearance. Strolling through it, one can find red-tiled, yellow-walled old houses, mottled railway tracks, century-old clocks with "Paris" written on them hanging on the walls, a century-old water tower, and the Tropic of Cancer marker, among other historical relics, making one feel as if they have instantly traveled back to the last century. The unique sense of age and rich artistic atmosphere have also made it a famous filming location for the movies "Youth" and "Forever Young." With the popularity of these films, Bisezhai has attracted countless photography enthusiasts, becoming a highly popular spot for retro-style and nostalgic travel photography.

In terms of visitor experience, Bisezhai Scenic Area is currently open to the public for free all day (visitors can book entry via the official WeChat account). If you prefer not to walk, you can purchase a round-trip sightseeing car ticket for 30 yuan. In addition to enjoying the French charm and railway culture, the area where Bisezhai is located also boasts a rich ethnic minority culture. Local residents are warm and hospitable, and you can taste local delicacies such as special red rice noodles. It is recommended to set aside 1 to 3 hours for your visit to slowly discover the imprints of youth preserved by time in this century-old station.