Xu Xiake 徐霞客 in Dali
Xu Xiake (1586 - 1641) was China's first travel blogger. During the third lunar month in 1639 he travelled through Dali and recorded his experiences in his diary, posthumously published as 徐霞客游记. Is it still possible to retrace Xu's steps on the Dali plain?
Early 20th century murals at Mangzhong Temple near Menglian
Ronald G. Knapp: China's Old Dwellings
Few people know as much about Chinese architecture as Knapp: from palaces to humble homes he explains important building principles; the connection between environment and housing styles and the development of style over time. A section on minority housing styles complements the book.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
An ancient exorcism ritual in Nanjian county.
C. Patterson Giersch: Asian Borderlands: The Transformation of Qing China's Yunnan Frontier
Yunnan was not always China: indeed not so long ago large parts of Yunnan were only nominally part of the empire. To make Yunnan, outside the main Han cities, a Chinese province required significant effort. Here Giersch's study on Yunnan's hinterland makes an interesting if academic read.
Bai wedding customs.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Benzhu Worship | 24 Mar |
| Yaba Festival | 28 Mar |
| Receiving Jingu | 28 Mar |
| Dragon Festival | 29 Mar |
| Receiving Jingu | 30 Mar |
| Weibaoshan Songfest | 31 Mar |
| Sangongzhu Temple Fair | 31 Mar |
| Receiving Jingu | 31 Mar |
| Receiving Jingu | 01 Apr |
| Ani Mountain Songfest | 01 Apr |
| Full Moon Ritual | 02 Apr |
| Sanying Farm Fair | 02 Apr |
Markets this Sunday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Jiuzhou | 旧州 |
| Sanying | 三营 |
| Wanqiao | 湾桥 |
| Xintun | 辛屯 |
| Yunlong | 云龙县 |
| Songgui | 松桂 |
| Binchuan | 宾川县 |
| Beitou | 北头 |
| Liantie | 炼铁 |
| Lawu | 拉乌 |
| Shuanglang | 双廊镇 |
| Changxin | 长新 |
| Jianchuan | 剑川县 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| Eryuan | 洱源县 |
| Pingpo | 平坡 |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| Minjian | 民建乡 |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| 青苗 | |
| 龙洞村 | |
| Longjie | 龙街 |
| Niujie | 牛街彝族乡 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Pingbian | 屏边苗族自治县 |
| Niujiaozhai | 牛角寨 |
| Mengla | 勐拉 |
| Diema | 垤玛 |
| Mengzi | 蒙自县 |
| Jiayin | 甲寅 |
| Azhahe | 阿扎河 |
| Liangdi | 浪堤 |
| Chake | 岔科 |
| Baohua | 宝华 |
| Yongning | 永宁乡 |
| Luoen | 洛恩 |
| Laomeng | 老勐 |
| Maandi | 马鞍底 |
| Wenshan | 文山 |
|---|---|
| Guangnan | 广南县 |
| Shadou | 沙斗 |
| Pingyuan | 平远 |
| Nijiao | 腻脚彝族乡 |
| Zhesang | 者桑乡 |
| Jijie | 鸡街乡 |
| Donggan | 董干镇 |
| Babao | 八宝镇 |
| Tienpeng | 田蓬镇 |
| Jiumo | 旧莫乡 |
| Qujing | 曲靖市 |
|---|---|
| Daibu | 待补镇 |
| Fenghuang | 凤凰 |
| 干海子 | |
| Laochang | 老厂乡 |
| Sandao | 三道 |
| Wuxing | 五星乡 |
| Xinjie | 新街回族乡 |
| Yangmeishan | 杨梅山 |