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Explore Yanjin: The World’s Narrowest City
The bustling city of Yanjin, China, often cited as the world’s narrowest urban area, presents a striking spectacle with its colorful, slender buildings that rise above the Heng River. Characterized by exceptionally narrow streets, in some areas just 98 feet wide, this unique China city offers a surprisingly dense and lively environment. The steep mountains that hem in the area are key to the distinctive design of the high-rise buildings that line the river’s edge.
A City Forged by Geography
This geographical constraint has resulted in a vertical cityscape. Space is so limited that, in some areas, residents can practically reach across the alleyways to their neighbors. Yanjin, situated in the northeast of Yunnan Province, accommodates a population exceeding 400,000 people, all living within a tight strip of land nestled between two imposing mountain ranges.
Life in Yanjin: Community and Resilience
- “Despite the potential dangers and risks associated with flooding, the people are incredibly friendly and appear to enjoy life,” one observer noted, highlighting the community’s positive spirit.
Architectural Adaptations
Due to the constraints of limited space, many structures are elevated on stilts. This protects against potential floods and maximizes the usable area. At its widest point, Yanjin only stretches 984 feet.
Yanjin’s Appeal: A Growing Fascination
The city’s unusual dimensions and singular architectural style have captured the attention of travelers and photographers around the globe.
Visiting Yanjin: Navigating the Journey
Reaching Yanjin can be challenging due to its remote location.
Transportation Options
- The nearest major airport is Kunming Changshui International Airport, approximately six hours away.
- Alternatively, visitors can access the city using the Chongqing-Kunming motorway.
- A local railway line from Neijiang to Zhaotong, with a stop at Yanjinbei Station, is also an option.
Historical Context of the Narrow City
Yanjin’s history stretches back at least to the Qin Dynasty, when the Bo people inhabited the region.
Origins and Trade
- The name “Yanjin” reflects the city’s past as a center for salt trading, combining the meanings “salt” and “ferry” or “port.”
A Bridge’s Tragic History
- In the late 1800s or early 1900s, a bridge collapse during a Duanwu Festival celebration caused approximately 400 deaths. This tragedy spurred its eventual reconstruction with more robust materials.