Slideshows

Bai people perform ancient ritual music at the Benzhu Temple in Dazhuang, south of Dali.

A week after Ghost Festival boats set out at dusk on Cibi Lake to make offerings to the Dragon King.

Panorama along the 金沙江 between Tuoding 拖顶 and Jinjiang 金江 during the rainy season.

Beautiful scenery along the Zhubaluo River, a Jinsha tributary disgorging from the slopes of Mt Baimang.

Tibetan midsummer festival celebrated around the full moon day of the seventh lunar month.

The central meat market in Zhongdian.

Far from being just a celebration of the Yi people, in Mangkuan the Torch Festival is enjoyed by everyone.

Cock fighting is a popular pastime in the countryside, particularly with the Dai.

Where the Nujiang first opens to a broader valley lies Mangkuan, home to one of the northernmost Dai populations, with Lisu, Yi and Miao living in the mountains to either side.

Horse caravans still cross the Nujiang on one of the oldest chain bridges in Yunnan.

Being a film star in Europe: near Dali a field with flowers and a fake movie set, dubbed 嘎纳小镇, makes it possible.

Lianxiangguan 炼象关 is a historic village on the old trading route from Kunming to Dali.