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?
A Lahu minority Christian service in a hill village near Menglian.
Jim Goodman: The Terrace Builders: The Hani and their Neighbors in Yunnan's Ailao Mountains
Abstract: The rice terraces of the Ailao Mountains in southern Yunnan province, China, are some of the oldest terraced farms in Asia. First mentioned in Tang Dynasty records, these farms, 80% of which are irrigated, with water running through them all year round, have been in continuous use for over a thousand years. In 2013 UNESCO declared the heartland of this area a World Heritage Site. The Terrace Builders is a detailed account of how these farms are made and used, the cities and mountains of Honghe Prefecture and the far north of Vietnam, as well as the various ethnic minorities who live there. The book pays special attention to the Hani people, the largest ethnic group in the area, and includes summaries of the culture and clothing of their neighbors the Yi, Miao, Yao, Zhuang and Dai. The book includes 300 photos of the land and its people.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
One of the biggest Bai festivals.
A history trading post on the upper reaches of the Yangzi.
Jim Goodman: The Akha: Guardians of the Forest
The Akha, in China known as the Aini branch of the Hani people, migrated from China southwards into Laos, Burma and Thailand. In this richly illustrated book J Goodman, aka 'Akha Jim', explains their life and culture.
An isolated Bai town with rich culture.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Yi New Year | 29 Nov |
| Street Banquet | 30 Nov |
| Hani New Year | 01 Dec |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 02 Dec |
| Full Moon Ritual | 04 Dec |
| Benzhu Worship | 04 Dec |
| Benzhu Worship | 04 Dec |
| Yongning Mule Fair | 04 Dec |
| Panwang Festival | 05 Dec |
| Great Snow | 07 Dec |
| Mother Earth | 07 Dec |
| Geminid Meteor Shower | 13 Dec |
Markets this Saturday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Zhoucheng | 州城 |
| Yongping | 永平县 |
| Xintun | 辛屯 |
| Paiying | 排营 |
| Lijiao | 力角 |
| Shijing | 师井 |
| Songgui | 松桂 |
| Diannan | 甸南 |
| Shuanglang | 双廊镇 |
| Jiangwei | 江尾镇 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| 桥街 | |
| Longjie | 龙街 |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| Qinghaiying | 青海营 |
| Deju | 德苴乡 |
| 龙洞村 | |
| Changyi | 长邑村 |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| Wenshan | 文山 |
|---|---|
| Matang | 马塘镇 |
| Shadou | 沙斗 |
| Pingba | 坪坝镇 |
| Banlun | 板仑乡 |
| Nijiao | 腻脚彝族乡 |
| Jijie | 鸡街乡 |
| Tienpeng | 田蓬镇 |
| Donggan | 董干镇 |
| Jiumo | 旧莫乡 |