A Republic Era Map of Dali
A Republic Era map shows the development of the Dali region over the last hundred years.
The watermills in Fengqing's Gumo village operate just like a thousand years ago.
Jim Goodman: Xishuangbanna: The Tropics of Yunnan
For most of its history Xishuangbanna existed as an autonomous state on the remote southern periphery of China, run by the same Dai family since the 12th century. Lying in the tropical zone, on the northern rim of Southeast Asia, with flora and fauna not only unlike the rest of China, but even unique in Yunnan province, it has had close ethnic and cultural relations with its neighbors in Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. The valleys are home to the Dai nationality, while several ethnic minorities inhabit the hills. Xishuangbanna: the Tropics of Yunnan narrates the history and development of the Dai people, their culture, society and religion, from ancient times through the period of incorporation into the Chinese state. It also covers the characteristics of the lifestyle, culture and celebrations of the peoples of the mountains, as well as the economic and political changes of recent times and their effects on both hill and plain.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
A specific theatre performance style in Dali.
An unspoilt Tibetan area along the Zhibaluo River.
Jim Goodman: Living in Shangrila: Tibetans and Mosuo in Northwest Yunnan
Abstract: When Diqing Prefecture, opened its doors to foreign visitors in 1992, tourist agencies and government officials promoted Zhongdian County as the Shangrila of James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon. In 2001 the city officially changed its name to Shangrila. On a high plateau of over 3200 meters, surrounded by snow covered mountain peaks, inhabited mainly by relatively prosperous, friendly and contented Tibetans, with beautiful monasteries, lakes, forests and summer flowers, the county’s scenery and lifestyle certainly bore a strong resemblance to that in the novel. Living in Shangrila describes the life and environment of the Tibetan people throughout Diqing Prefecture. It also examines their neighbors the Mosuo, a branch of the Naxi nationality, who adopted Tibetan Buddhism as their religion, but are still mainly a matrilineal society, unique to Yunnan, living around Lugu Lake, the most picturesque body of water in the province. The book includes over 200 photographs.
One of the biggest Bai festivals.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Yangmei Festival | 01 May |
| Start of Summer Market | 09 May |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 10 May |
| Sizhuang Pond Fair | 10 May |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 11 May |
| Benzhu Worship | 13 May |
| Master Earth | 14 May |
| Mouding March Fair | 14 May |
| Donghuangdadi Birthday | 14 May |
| Baimakou Village Festival | 14 May |
| Beggars' Convention | 14 May |
| Yi Costume Festival | 14 May |
Markets this Sunday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Jiuzhou | 旧州 |
| Sanying | 三营 |
| Yunlong | 云龙县 |
| Weishan | 巍山彝族回族自治县 |
| Fengyi | 凤仪 |
| Liantie | 炼铁 |
| Binchuan | 宾川县 |
| Wase | 挖色 |
| Beitou | 北头 |
| Lawu | 拉乌 |
| Shuanglang | 双廊镇 |
| Jianchuan | 剑川县 |
| Changxin | 长新 |
| Pingpo | 平坡 |
| Eryuan | 洱源县 |
| Dianzhong | 甸中 |
| 妙姑村 | |
| Longjie | 龙街 |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| Niujie | 牛街彝族乡 |
| 龙洞村 | |
| Midian | 米甸镇 |
| Minjian | 民建乡 |
| 田口 | |
| 北桥 | |
| Shidongcun | 石洞村 |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| 西庄 | |
| 青苗 | |
| Luming | 鹿鸣乡 |
| 寅街村 |
| Lijiang | 丽江 |
|---|---|
| Hongyan | 红岩 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Pingbian | 屏边苗族自治县 |
| Mengla | 勐拉 |
| Diema | 垤玛 |
| Mengzi | 蒙自县 |
| Liangdi | 浪堤 |
| Chake | 岔科 |
| Jiayin | 甲寅 |
| Daheigong | 大黑公 |
| Azhahe | 阿扎河 |
| Wuwan | 乌弯 |
| Baohua | 宝华 |
| Xinjie | 新街 |
| Yongning | 永宁乡 |
| Luoen | 洛恩 |
| Maandi | 马鞍底 |
| Laomeng | 老勐 |
| Wenshan | 文山 |
|---|---|
| Shadou | 沙斗 |
| Guangnan | 广南县 |
| Nijiao | 腻脚彝族乡 |
| Pingyuan | 平远 |
| Zhesang | 者桑乡 |
| Jijie | 鸡街乡 |
| Donggan | 董干镇 |
| Babao | 八宝镇 |
| Tienpeng | 田蓬镇 |
| Qujing | 曲靖市 |
|---|---|
| Daibu | 待补镇 |
| 干海子 | |
| Jiache | 驾车乡 |
| Kuangshan | 矿山镇 |
| Laochang | 老厂乡 |
| Sandao | 三道 |
| Wuxing | 五星乡 |
| Xinjie | 新街回族乡 |
| Yangmeishan | 杨梅山 |
| Yulu | 雨碌乡 |
| Zhaotong | 昭通 |
|---|---|
| Menggu | 蒙姑镇 |
| Yuxi | 玉溪 |
|---|---|
| Fuliangpeng | 富良棚 |