On the Statelets between Nanzhao and the Dali Kingdom
After the demise of Nanzhao 南诏, the Buddhist kingdom that integrated the tribes of the Erhai region in the second half of the first millennium, local strongmen proclaimed a succession of short-lived statelets before Duan Siping 段思平 in 937 CE established the Dali Kingdom 大理国.
Hand-made giant sparklers, called "Fire Flowers" 火花, are part of the firework displays for temple fairs in Menglian county.
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.
Traditional toys in Jianchuan county.
This old caravan town on the Jinsha River is Yunnan's gateway to Tibet.
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.
Bai vernacular architecture is very ornate, the style of painting is recognised as national level intangible heritage.
The turn of the Yangzi made Chinese civilization possible and was the location of many important battles.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Walnut Festival | 01 Sep |
| Fishpond Fair | 25 Sep |
| Confucius Sacrifice | 28 Sep |
| Fenghuan Mountain Music Festival | 01 Oct |
| National Day | 01 Oct |
| Baobo Festival | 02 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 03 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship (Fengyu Area) | 03 Oct |
| Sky Lantern Festival | 03 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship (Dengchuan Area) | 03 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship | 03 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship | 03 Oct |
Markets this Wednesday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Haidong | 海东 |
| Shunbi | 順濞 |
| Fengyi | 凤仪 |
| Shaba | 沙坝 |
| Weishan | 巍山彝族回族自治县 |
| Qinghua | 清华 |
| Yinqiao | 银桥 |
| Niujie | 牛街 |
| Zhongying | 种英 |
| Dianzhong | 甸中 |
| Shanglan | 上兰 |
| Wase | 挖色 |
| Zhouguanying | 周官营 |
| Hongyan | 红岩镇 |
| Shidongcun | 石洞村 |
| Gongguoqiao | 功果桥镇 |
| Luming | 鹿鸣乡 |
| Shundang | 顺荡 |
| 妙姑村 | |
| Shangcang | 上沧 |
| Qinghaiying | 青海营 |
| Hedian | 禾甸镇 |
| 北桥 | |
| 田口 | |
| 龙街 | |
| Puping | 普淜镇 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Shengcun | 生村 |
| Zhicun | 芷村镇 |
| Nafa | 那发 |
| Jiache | 架车 |
| Baiyun | 白云乡 |
| Zhongzhai | 中寨 |
| Yongning | 永宁乡 |
| Tutai | 土台 |
| Shiping Guanyin Temple Alley | 石屏观音寺巷 |
| Hongtian | 红田 |
| Chezhi | 扯直 |
| Yuxi | 玉溪 |
|---|---|
| Fuliangpeng | 富良棚 |
| Puer | 普洱 |
|---|---|
| Jiangcheng | 江城哈尼族彝族自治县 |
| Nuofu | 糯福 |
| Dashan | 大山乡 |
| Mengma | 孟马镇 |
| Kangping | 康平乡 |
| Dehua | 德化镇 |
| Mengxian | 勐先镇 |
| Liming | 黎明乡 |
| 把边 |
| Diqing | 迪庆 |
|---|---|
| Kaifaqu | 开发区 |