"Jiegao" is a Dai word, meaning "the old town". It
is said that Sinan King of Luchuan built his capital here in the
late Yuan Dynasty or the early Ming Dynasty. Thus the town got
such a name. During the Anti-Japanese War, Jiegao was a very
prosperous town. American planes frequently came here, carrying
military supplies. It lies 4 kilometers away from Ruili, and is
the only part of Ruili Town on the southeastern bank of the Ruili
River, known as "shatoujiao" or "Tianyahaijiao" in the southwest
of China.
In 1987 Jiegao became an important port where
bilateral trade could be done. In 1991, "Jiegao Border Trade
Economic Zone" was set up. China and Burma have built China-Burma
Street, which is now filled with stores and shops. Since 1992 the
imports and exports from Jiegao have accounted for 50% to 60% of
the total imports and exports of the border trade of the province,
and over 30% of the imports and exports of the border trade from
the inland ports throughout the country. Jiegao Bridge across the
Ruili River links Ruili with Jiegao. The bridge is now the longest
road bridge in Yunnan and on the boundary line in the Southwest of
China. In a word, the booming Jiegao has become a newly-
developing business town and border resort with typical ethnic
features and modern facilities.
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