Travel involves all aspects, including beautiful scenery, unique food, and shocking historical heritage. Of course, I think the most indispensable thing is the profound local culture. When it comes to Yunnan, first of all, there is tea, which created the thousand-year history of the Tea Horse Road. Secondly, there is tobacco. The cultivation of tobacco and the development of cigarettes are also a business card of Yunnan.

Our journey left Kunming and continued southbound. Our destination was Yuxi, Yunnan. Not far from Kunming, we arrived next to Fuxian Lake. From here to Yuxi, we had Fuxian Lake as our companion, and our mood was also the same. Extraordinarily cheerful, bathing in the unique sunshine of Yunnan, relaxing both physically and mentally. The water quality of Fuxian Lake is excellent, reaching the standard of direct drinking. The construction of the road around the lake is even more eye-catching. I have to say that there are surprises everywhere when traveling in Yunnan.

Without staying much, we went straight to Yuxi. When it comes to Yuxi, I think everyone may not know this city, but they must have heard of this cigarette. It is precisely because of Yuxi cigarettes that the word Yuxi has a high reputation. Yunnan cigarettes are more expensive than wine, which has become a familiar saying to us. There are many cigarettes in Yunnan. When you think of Yunnan cigarettes, which one do you think of first?

The mountains are high and the peaks are made by people. The first place you go to when you come to Yuxi City is Hongta Park. Take a look at this place that is very familiar to smokers. The first thing to mention is that the free parking lot in Hongta Park is really very convenient. From the foot of the mountain to the top of the mountain, you can park wherever you want. It is completely different from many large and small scenic spots. At the foot of the mountain is the Hongta Group, Yunnan Tobacco Leading enterprises.

There is a famous saying in the tobacco circle: "One cloud, two nobles, three Chinas, Ashima at the foot of the Hongta Mountain." It is a ranking of tobacco recognition among the people. Among them, Ashima at the foot of the Hongta Mountain is the same as here. close relationship. It can be said that Hongta Mountain and Ashima in Yuxi are both famous cigarette brands in the country. This Hongta is even more representative. If you want to climb the Hongta at the top of the mountain, you need to walk through a large green gentle slope. In winter, it is still lush. This is also Yunnan is a unique place.

When you reach the top of the mountain, you will see this red tower up close. In fact, the mountain is not high and the tower does not look too imposing, but this tower still feels very familiar. Hongta Mountain is named after the white pagoda built in the Yuan Dynasty that stands on the top of the mountain. This red pagoda was built in the Yuan Dynasty. It was originally a white pagoda and was rebuilt in the 19th year of Daoguang reign of the Qing Dynasty (1839). Therefore, "White Tower Sunset" becomes a landscape.

The tower body is made of bluestone, filled with fill soil, and has a dense eaves structure. The eight-level solid tower looks very delicate. The tower is 25.09 meters high, with a loft-style shrinking upwards step by step. There is a Buddhist niche on each of the sixth and seventh levels, and each niche contains a bronze Buddha statue. Every tourist who comes here silently takes out the box of Hongtashan cigarettes to take pictures. Without Hongtashan cigarettes, this ancient pagoda may have remained unknown. It is precisely because of Hongtashan that this ancient pagoda looks particularly friendly.

That was obviously a white tower, but why did it later become a red tower? There is also a story here. It was originally a white ancient pagoda. In 1958, in order to welcome the National Day in 1958, the Yuxi Cigarette Factory painted the white pagoda red and changed its name to "Red Pagoda". From then on, the red pagoda that people are very familiar with began to appear. , and also has the brand Hongtashan.

After visiting the ancient pagoda, immersed in the lush greenery, I suddenly smelled a strong smell of tobacco. There was a surprise not far from the pagoda. The Tobacco Culture Museum stood next to the red pagoda. It was a pleasure to learn about Yunnan’s tobacco past and see some tobacco brands that I had never seen before.

Yunnan’s unique geographical conditions are destined to make it a fertile ground for growing tobacco. The optimum temperature for the growth of flue-cured tobacco leaves is 28 degrees Celsius. Most parts of China have hot summer weather, with afternoon temperatures exceeding 28 degrees, which is harmful to tobacco. Photosynthesis is unfavorable. Yunnan, which has a very low latitude, has low summer temperatures due to its high altitude. Just right for tobacco growing. The vast red soil in Yunnan is not suitable for growing food, but it is suitable for growing tobacco.

It is a leap from nursery to tobacco field, where bunches of tobacco plants take root and grow. The farmers' careful care also ensures the quality of the tobacco leaves. In midsummer, tobacco leaves are harvested. Under the setting sun and in the evening breeze, with cattle and camels on their vehicles, tobacco farmers enjoy the joy of the harvest. The harvested tobacco also undergoes the baptism of fire, and eventually becomes the familiar tobacco.

Walking into the Cigarette Culture Museum, looking at these Yuxi, Hongtashan, Ashima... I think it is a feast for the eyes of smokers. All cigarette boxes are exquisitely designed and packaged, and come in all kinds. In the same way, even if you have been smoking for decades, you may not be able to say that you have seen them all. Buying two boxes of the ones you have never seen before and sending them home to your friends who smoke is also a good choice. However, I still want to remind everyone that smoking is harmful to health, so don’t smoke if you can.

After visiting the Red Pagoda, not far away is the city center of Yuxi. Go to Temple Street to feel the prosperity of the city, taste the special food, and then go to Nie'er Park to see the dances of various ethnic groups. Gather together. Elements of smoking culture are still everywhere in Nie Er Park. Several uncles took turns smoking huge pipes. This scene may only be encountered in Yunnan.

Yunnan’s tobacco is famous throughout the country, and the Red Pagoda in Yuxi has become a place of faith for smokers. It is also a good experience to learn about the history and culture of tobacco in the ancient scenery.