Slideshows Yunnan
Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture 大理白族自治州

Annually, on 正月十四，the Yi of Weishan make the pilgrimage up to Small Chicken Foot Mountain.

Who says Benzhu worship is only for old Bai women? Images from the 接本主 (挖色, 大年初八，初十).

Significant events call for a big communal meal, reinforcing the community. Here the villagers of the three villages of Shengjiu 生久三村 celebrate the consecration of a new Benzhu temple with a feast for over 1000 people.

Shuanglang 双廊 does not have a proper Benzhu, but once a year the Benzhu from nearby 红山庙 is brought into town with a great parade.

The slaughter of a pig for Spring Festival is a happy occasion, with family and friends invited for the event. Raw skin, raw meat, even raw liver are considered delicacies in Bai communities around Erhai Lake.

The Bai people neatly arrange the offerings to their local saints, the Benzhu, and other deities, making sure that even the lesser spirits are not forgotten.

A picturesque, but invented for tourism, ceremony at Hongshan Temple 红山庙 north of Shuanglang 双廊. The temple's real festival, once referred to as 海神会, is held on the full moon of the fourth month.

A so-called Super Moon coinciding with Mid-Autumn Festival in 2015. Yes, it is Kitsch.

Rushan is a Bai cheese traditionally served only at special occasions. It is made by heating cow's milk with sour milk, stirring it with large chopsticks until it curdles into the consistency of mozzarella, before being stretched across bamboo frames to dry for a day. It is eaten usually grilled or fried, but is also an ingredient in the Bai Three Course Tea 三道茶.

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.

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.