Protecting Erhai: The Seven Big Activities
When in April 2017 guesthouses and restaurants around western Yunnan's Erhai Lake were suddenly summarily ordered closed until further notice, big character slogans also began proclaiming: "Protecting Erhai: The Seven Big Activities" 保护洱海七大行动. The slogan suggests that the closure of tourist facilities is just one part of a wider campaign to clean up the Erhai environment.
The temple in Mangdao 芒岛, built in 1899, is one of few surviving examples of Dai Buddhist temples having survived the Cultural Revolution by being converted into grain storage.
John Israel: Lianda: A Chinese University in War and Revolution
Everyone knows about the Mao's Long March, but a few years later another long march took place: that of Chinese students leaving their cushy campuses on the east coast, trekking all the way to Yunnan where their universities reformed as Lianda, the united university. Kunming, then a total backwater, became a hotbed for new ideas, not just scientific. We liked the section of east coast girls scampering around Mengzi in their latest fashion.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
Historic Building of the Pacification Commission in Menglian
Brenda McLean: George Forrest, Plant Hunter
George Forrest, perhaps the most successful plant collector of his time, left little written about his numerous journeys to Yunnan, so this well-illustrated book fills in much needed detail about his life.
Making small figurines in Dali.
Largest Miao village in the Kunming area with a large Christian community and a nationally-acclaimed church-choir.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Mushroom Festival | 09 Aug |
| Benzhu Worship | 10 Aug |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 10 Aug |
| Perseid Meteor Shower | 12 Aug |
| Wumulong Torch Festival | 12 Aug |
| Longkan Ghost Festival | 13 Aug |
| Camel Festival | 13 Aug |
| Ghost Month | 13 Aug |
| Yinongwu | 13 Aug |
| New Moon Ritual | 13 Aug |
| Baijie Festival | 13 Aug |
| Ghost Month Ritual | 14 Aug |
Markets this Tuesday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Fuheng | 富恒 |
| Zhongsuo | 中所 |
| Duomei | 朵美 |
| Junhua | 均化 |
| Liandong | 炼洞 |
| Fengyu | 风羽 |
| Yongping | 永平县 |
| Shanyang | 衫阳 |
| Guanping | 关平 |
| Baofeng | 宝丰乡 |
| Liuhe | 六合 |
| Heqing | 鹤庆县 |
| Madeng | 马镫 |
| Binju | 宾居 |
| Shuijing | 水井 |
| Zuòyì | 作邑 |
| Dacang | 大仓镇 |
| Caojian | 漕间 |
| Junhuacun | 均华村 |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| Liuchang | 刘厂镇 |
| Deju | 德苴乡 |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| 果城村 | |
| Xinjie | 新街镇 |
| 龙洞村 | |
| Mizhi | 密祉镇 |
| Lijiang | 丽江 |
|---|---|
| Liming | 黎明 |
| Zhaotong | 昭通 |
|---|---|
| Shuanghe | 双河 |
| Nujiang | 怒江 |
|---|---|
| Gudeng | 古登 |
| Bingzhongluo | 丙中洛 |
| Lishadi | 利沙底乡 |
| Puer | 普洱 |
|---|---|
| Nuofu | 糯福 |
| Dashan | 大山乡 |
| Meizi | 梅子镇 |
| Fubang | 富邦乡 |
| Mengma | 孟马镇 |
| Mujia | 木戛乡 |
| Ankang | 安康佤族乡 |
| Wendong | 文东佤族乡 |
| Wenggake | 翁嘎科镇 |