Hèqìng

Heqing occupies a highland basin north of Dali, surrounded by mountains and linked to the road toward Lijiang. The Ming established Heqing Prefecture in 1382 and made it a military-civilian prefecture in 1397, organizing local troops under commanders. Its Confucian temple, first founded under the Yuan, was rebuilt in 1632. The town also acquired the Yunhe tower during the Ming, adding a conspicuous landmark to the prefectural seat.