Nestled in Yunnan province in southern China, the county of Jinping lives up to its recognition as a ‘Hometown of Longevity’.
Jinping county, which was awarded a longevity certificate by the China Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics in 2020 for its above-average life expectancy of 79.31 years, is home to 48 centenarians (aged 100 and above), according to information released by the Foreign Affairs Office of the People’s Government of Yunnan province.
Over there, it is easy to come across fit and svelte “models” aged 60 and above, as a group of visiting journalists found out last November when they were treated to a special fashion show in Jinping village.
The “models”, all senior citizens, walked confidently as they paraded in beautiful traditional outfits usually worn by China’s minority ethnic groups, their vitality a testament to Jinping county’s recognition as a ‘hometown of longevity’.
Commenting on their youthful appearance and stamina, an officer from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs China, who accompanied the journalists, told Bernama they were all farmers and that they continue to work on their farms to this day.
At the end of the fashion show, the models invited the journalists to join them on stage for a group dance, cheered on by the spectators, most of whom were villagers.
Bernama later approached some of the models to learn their secret to staying youthful. Through a translator, one of them said: “Make sure you get good-quality sleep every night and stay active by continuing to work at any age.”
(This writer was among 22 journalists from 20 Asia-Pacific nations who participated in the China International Press Communication Centre [CIPCC] programme held between Aug 18 and Dec 15, 2025. Organised by the China Public Diplomacy Association, the annual programme serves as a platform for practical cooperation between Chinese media organisations and those from emerging markets and developing economies. It also provides foreign journalists with the opportunity to gain a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of China’s society, development and international engagement.)
NATURAL ENVIRONMENT
Located in Hongye prefecture, Jinping county’s longevity status is attributed to its healthy natural environment – forests and lush greenery cover about 70 percent of the mountainous county, which also boasts excellent air quality and rich biodiversity.
Eighty-eight percent of the county’s population is made up of people from nine ethnic minority groups, namely Miao, Yao, Dai, Hani, Yi, Han, Zhuang, Lahu and Bulang.
To reach Jinping county, the visiting journalists travelled about 400 kilometres by road from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province. The over six-hour journey on a highway offered pleasing views of verdant highlands and wide rivers. The road also passed through numerous tunnels carved through the hills.
Besides Jinping, the journalists also toured other parts of Honghe prefecture. On the way to Jiwozhai village, they stopped at the bank of the Red River or Honghe River, which originates in the mountainous region of Yunnan near Dali and flows for about 690 km within the province before continuing in neighbouring Vietnam.
Standing by its banks and on a bridge spanning the wide river, the visitors were greeted by a picturesque view of crimson waters set against lush green hills. In the distance, the Vietnamese flag could be seen fluttering on the opposite bank.
Their next stop was Jiwozhai village, inhabited by the Yao ethnic group for generations, which is located on the China-Vietnam border. This village is known for its production of green tea, one of the beverages believed to contribute to the good health of the Jinping county community.
CASCADING WATERFALLS
It is understood that Jiwozhai has more than 11,000 tea plants that are over 100 years old. The production and sale of tea have helped the villagers lift themselves out of poverty.
The villagers welcomed the journalists with an abundance of fresh fruits, including pomegranates, bananas, dragon fruit and oranges – a wholesome treat that reflected their simple and healthy lifestyle.
The journalists were later taken to the breathtaking Biaoshuiyan waterfall located in Biaoshuiyan village, which has also been declared a ‘Hometown of Longevity’ by the Chinese authorities.
In the local Hani ethnic language, ‘Biaoshuiyan’ means “holy water bestowed by a fairy from heaven”. According to information displayed near the waterfall site, the Biaoshuiyan waterfall has a total length of 262 metres from the top to the bottom. The upper curtain is three metres wide and the under curtain, 35 metres. The depth of the water reaches 40 metres during high flow.
Their next stop was the Ladeng waterfall, hidden in the forest on the China-Vietnam border. To reach the 60-metre-high waterfall, visitors have to hike for more than 30 minutes through the forest.
Standing by the cascading falls, misted by the cool spray and listening to the rhythmic rush of water was a calming, almost meditative experience.
