Into the Land of the Black Lisu
The Nujiang Canyon, on Yunnan's western frontier, was until the 1930s a blank area on the map that not even Chinese troops dared to enter. In 1905 two British explorers made the first foray into this land of the Black Lisu.
Rare Silver Pheasants 白鹇 can be seen roaming the woods of Tonghai's Xiushan Temple Mountain 通海秀山.
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.
A rebuilt large temple complex.
With its well-preserved architecture and tranquil atmosphere, Weishan's capital is Yunnan's most beautiful county town.
Fei Hsiao-Tung and Chang Chih-I: Earthbound China: A Study of Rural Economy in Yunnan
Fei is the father of modern sociology in China: western-trained, he came to Yunnan at the end of the 1930s when China's eastern universities relocated west. In "Earthbound China" he applied modern empirical techniques that he had pioneered around Shanghai to the Chinese hinterland. The economical development, and subsequent societal changes, of three un-named, but typical villages in Yunnan is analyzed in great detail in this fascinating study.
Traditional toys in Jianchuan county.
Yunnan's only Shui-Township with stunning karst scenery.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Tianmoya Temple Fair | 21 Feb |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 23 Feb |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 25 Feb |
| Men's Festival | 26 Feb |
| New Moon Ritual | 28 Feb |
| Weibaoshan Pilgrimage | 28 Feb |
| Madeng Trade Fair | 28 Feb |
| Kaixinjie | 28 Feb |
| Benzhu Worship (Fengyu) | 28 Feb |
| Losar Tibetan New Year | 28 Feb |
| Dragon Worship | 01 Mar |
| Dragon Worship | 01 Mar |
Markets this Saturday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Zhoucheng | 州城 |
| Yongping | 永平县 |
| Paiying | 排营 |
| Lijiao | 力角 |
| Longjie | 龙街 |
| Shijing | 师井 |
| Longjie | 龙街 |
| Diannan | 甸南 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| Jiangwei | 江尾镇 |
| Zhongjiang | 中江 |
| Beiya | 北衙 |
| Jindunjiecun | 金墩街村 |
| Deju | 德苴乡 |
| Changyi | 长邑村 |
| Qinghaiying | 青海营 |
| Puping | 普淜镇 |
| 桥街 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Niujiaozhai | 牛角寨 |
| Xinansuo | 新安所镇 |
| Leyu | 乐育 |
| Daheishan | 大黑山乡 |
| Longwu | 龙武镇 |
| Xinxian | 新现乡 |
| Sankeshu | 三棵树 |
| Dixibei | 地西北 |
| Wenshan | 文山 |
|---|---|
| Matang | 马塘镇 |
| Badaoshao | 八道哨乡 |
| Pingba | 坪坝镇 |
| Banlun | 板仑乡 |
| Heizhiguo | 黑支果乡 |
| Boai | 剥隘镇 |
| Dongma | 董马乡 |
| Xinzhai | 新寨乡 |