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.
Kids from one of Lancang's 澜沧县 schools dress up in minority clothes for the annual Gourd Festival 葫芦节.
Judith Shapiro: Mao's War Against Nature: Politics and the Environment in Revolutionary China
Even if Chinese civilization has developed more against than with nature, the Mao years were a particular exercise in environmental destruction. In one case-study Shapiro tells the story of the draining of the northern part of Dianchi Lake, one of the first steps turning Kunming's lake into the fetid cess-pool it is today.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
Suona melodies in the Pingchuan area of Binchuan.
Unspoiled Weishan boast Yunnan's most beautiful county town, an important Taoist mountain and areas of strong Muslim and Yi tradition.
Brenda McLean: George Forrest, Plant Hunter
George Forrest, perhaps the most successful plant collector of his time, left little written about his numerous journeys to Yunnan, so this well-illustrated book fills in much needed detail about his life.
Temple fair at the Baohe Temple on the foot of Cangshan
An unspoilt Tibetan area along the Zhibaluo River.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Walnut Festival | 01 Sep |
| Circling the Mountain | 06 Sep |
| Benzhu Worship | 06 Sep |
| Benzhu Worship (Fengyu Area) | 06 Sep |
| White Dew | 07 Sep |
| Shibaoshan Songfest | 08 Sep |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 09 Sep |
| Sigunai Temple Fair | 09 Sep |
| Teachers' Day | 10 Sep |
| Azhali Ritual | 11 Sep |
| New Moon Ritual | 11 Sep |
| Benzhu Worship (Fengyu Area) | 11 Sep |
Markets this Monday
| Kunming | 昆明 |
|---|---|
| Kedu | 柯渡镇 |
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Duomei | 朵美 |
| Junhua | 均化 |
| Wanqiao | 湾桥 |
| Biaocun | 表村 |
| Haidong | 海东 |
| Jizushan | 鸡足山 |
| Liuhe | 六合 |
| Misha | 弥沙 |
| Heqing | 鹤庆县 |
| Tuanjie | 团结 |
| Baishi | 白石 |
| Shuanglang | 双廊镇 |
| Shaping | 沙平村 |
| Miaowei | 苗尾傈僳族乡 |
| 西庄 | |
| Taiping | 太平乡 |
| Beiya | 北衙 |
| 龙洞村 | |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| Longjie | 龙街 |
| 寅街村 | |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| Midian | 米甸镇 |
| Lijiang | 丽江 |
|---|---|
| Shunzhou | 顺州 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Mengla | 勐拉 |
| Laozhai | 老寨苗族乡 |
| Chemalong | 车玛龙 |
| Longwu | 龙武镇 |
| Wuwan | 乌弯 |
| Daheigong | 大黑公 |
| Puxiong | 普雄 |
| Xinjie | 新街 |
| Maandi | 马鞍底 |
| Baihe | 白河乡 |
| Zhaotong | 昭通 |
|---|---|
| Shuanghe | 双河 |