Nodeng Ancient Town Guide｜An Underrated Dali Secret, You Won't Want to Leave Once You Arrive! Nodeng is absolutely amazing! Who understands it? Once you visit, you'll become a fan instantly,

Nodeng Ancient Town Guide｜An Underrated Dali Secret, You Won't Want to Leave Once You Arrive! Nodeng is absolutely amazing! Who understands it? Once you visit, you'll become a fan instantly and regret not discovering this treasure sooner! It's a bit funny to say, but I used to call "Nodeng" as "Dengnuo," always thinking it sounded like an uncle's name, until I corrected it while making this guide. Such a beautiful place, also the filming location for the ham segment in "A Bite of China," and the setting for Zhou Xun and Aya's "Nice to Meet You." Surprisingly, many people don't even know it's in Dali Prefecture. Even I, a frequent visitor to Dali, almost missed it. It must be arranged immediately! Even after thorough preparation, I was still overwhelmed by surprises on site. On the way, I encountered a 300-year-old big green tree, lush and full of spirit; there is also the Qing Dynasty "Tengjiao Qifeng" archway, said to be the largest and oldest in western Yunnan, with an imposing presence; the most amazing is the Ming Dynasty Jade Emperor Pavilion, a three-story pavilion with carved brackets, and the ceiling’s "Twenty-Eight Constellations Map" made from 32 painted wooden panels, as if bringing the cosmos into the pavilion, leaving me in continuous awe! Walking up along the mountain slope, the whole village is layered and staggered, full of old courtyards from the Ming, Qing, and Republic periods. The road beneath is still the ancient Salt Horse Road. Occasionally, you can see villagers driving horses and mules carrying supplies, the sound of copper bells accompanying them, instantly giving a feeling of time travel back to ancient times. That sense of seclusion away from the hustle and bustle is truly healing! Practical tips all gathered, follow them to avoid pitfalls - Eat: Be sure to visit Big Green Tree Coffee, the filming location from "Nice to Meet You," enjoying coffee while watching old courtyards is super cozy; for main meals, try Nuoyan Private Kitchen, authentic local home-style dishes; on the way, you can buy a Shimen popsicle to refresh and cool down. - Play: Focus on the old buildings with "Three Lanes and One Screen Wall, Four Courtyards and One Courtyard Well." Walk up the village to connect sights like the Salt Well, Dragon King Temple, Salt Bureau, Supervisor’s Office, and Jade Emperor Pavilion. Don’t miss the Jade Emperor Pavilion and the Wenwu Temple at the mountain top; if you have time, drive 20 minutes to Yunlong Taiji Viewing Platform for a breathtaking view of the natural Taiji landform (recommended in the morning for the best light and photos). - Buy: If you want to buy ham, go directly to villagers’ homes for fresh and authentic products, and remember to ask about storage methods; if you like handicrafts, visit Nuoyan Shop, where handmade embroidered cloth items are beautiful and suitable for gifts or keeping. One last reminder: the village mostly has stone slab slopes, so wearing comfortable sneakers is very important. Don’t wear high heels just for photos!