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.
Early 20th century murals at Mangzhong Temple near Menglian
Jim Goodman: Children of the Jade Dragon: the Naxi of Lijiang and their mountain neighbours the Yi
In the first half of the 1990s Lijiang had barely made its appearance on the Chinese tourism stage, even less so the then remote mountains of Ningland and Lugu Lake. Jim Goodman's account of the Naxi and the Yi draws back to a time where not everything was staged for mass tourism: an account of a lost world.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
Dali has its own Torch Festival related customs.
With its well-preserved architecture and tranquil atmosphere, Weishan's capital is Yunnan's most beautiful county town.
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.
Jianchuan is known for its rich music tradition.
A spectacularly narrow canyon high above the Jinsha River.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Buddha Relic Worship | 17 Apr |
| Buddha Relic Worship | 18 Apr |
| Buddha Relic Worship | 19 Apr |
| Hanna Temple Worship | 20 Apr |
| Ximu Buddha Print | 21 Apr |
| Jianchuan Old Chenghuang Temple Fair | 21 Apr |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 21 Apr |
| Jinggu Dazhai Bada | 21 Apr |
| "Replenish Provisions" Ritual | 22 Apr |
| Zhefang Buddha Print | 22 Apr |
| Woba Festival | 23 Apr |
| Tongkuang Bada | 23 Apr |
Markets this Wednesday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Shunbi | 順濞 |
| Shaba | 沙坝 |
| Shuanglang | 双廊镇 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| Zhongjiang | 中江 |
| Zhongying | 种英 |
| Shanglan | 上兰 |
| Zhouguanying | 周官营 |
| Gongguoqiao | 功果桥镇 |
| 顺荡 | |
| Longjie | 龙街 |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| 龙街 | |
| Jindunjiecun | 金墩街村 |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| Beiya | 北衙 |
| Shangcang | 上沧 |
| 龙洞村 |
| Lijiang | 丽江 |
|---|---|
| Shunzhou | 顺州 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Zhicun | 芷村镇 |
| Niujiaozhai | 牛角寨 |
| Mengla | 勐拉 |
| Longwu | 龙武镇 |
| Baiyun | 白云乡 |
| Yongning | 永宁乡 |
| Maandi | 马鞍底 |
| Tutai | 土台 |
| Hongtian | 红田 |
| Diqing | 迪庆 |
|---|---|
| Kaifaqu | 开发区 |