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

Erzige 耳子歌 is an ancient folk play that is still performed in some Bai village of Yunlong county.

The various Lisu groups in Xiangyun county receive government money to maintain their customs, resulting in an eclectic mix of activities, that are nevertheless good fun. In Lilame 立腊么 village in Xiangyun 祥云 on the second day of the second month Dragon Worship is conducted to pray for sufficient water.

So many old bridges still span Yunlong's Bi River and its tributaries that the county has been called a 'Museum of Bridges'

石洞寺 is an old temple along the trade route between Dali and Puer.

Early morning shots in Weishan's center.

Dressed in the garb of the Weishan Yi, a girl poses for some autumnal shots.

Golden Light Temple 金光寺 sits on top of Baotaishan 宝台山 near the old Bonan caravan road 博南古道 in Yongping county.

Every year, on the 26th day of the 6th lunar month, the Yi in Fuchang 副长 village of northern Midu 弥渡 county conduct a ritual martial play called 操兵, meaning 'military drill', that commemorates soldiers going out to war in the Qing dynasty.

In Dali's Sanwenbi village 三文笔 a new statue in honour of Wenchang 文昌 is brought to life by painting chicken blood onto the statue's eyes, ears, heart, lips and fingernails.

Just a few old ladies of the Lotus Pond Society 莲池会 in Sanwenbi 三文笔 village attending the festival in honour of the local Benzhu 本主 is perhaps a sign of a slowly dying ancient religious culture.

On the birthday of 地藏菩萨 many Bai people bring offerings for the recently deceased to the 东岳庙 on the northwestern side of Dali's old town.

Caohai is a wetland area north of Heqing's county town.