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

Shaxi's Xingjiao Temple is one of the oldest temples surviving in Yunnan, constructed in 1415 during the Ming dynasty. Particularly remarkable are the wall paintings under the eves.

Dada village starts its New Year activities.

Closing performance of an ancient Bai opera in Dada village, Yunlong.

In the remote mountain regions of Jianchuan and Yunlong county the temples are often very simple with the local Benzhu belief displaying an element of animism.

West Lake 西湖 is beautiful wetland area north of Dali, good for birdwatching.

In 2009, at the Shibaoshan Singing Festival, traditional dress in the Dali was more prevalent than it is today, and the dress was often still hand-made, rather than shop-bought.

Bai folk music star Li Baomei 李宝妹 and the Shibaoshan Bai Folk Music Art Troupe perform in her home village Shilong 石龙村.

An old house in Baitayi 白塔邑, a Bai village near Erhai. Elegant houses like this are becoming rare as time takes its toll.

Tianmoya 天摩牙 is a vast temple complex on the western side of the Weishan basin that combines elements of Daoism, Buddhism and Ancient Religion. The Leishen 雷神 shown here are magic spirits of the Daoist world.

A member of the Dongjing Association performing in a ritual for the Dragon King.

Dali's new architecture showcase project, the Leicui Garden, is an imagined royal garden from the period of the Dali Kingdom (937-1253AD).

Huadeng 花灯 "Flower Lantern" is a kind of local folk opera, combining folk song, dance and dialect, with the topic frequently modern life such as dating. Traditionally Huadeng is performed during Spring Festival, but now relatively rare. Huadeng has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage of Binchuan county. This is a performance of the county Huadeng Troupe, performing "Three Matchmakers" 三个媒人.