Into the Land of the Black Lisu
The Nujiang Canyon, on Yunnan's western frontier, was until the 1930s a blank area on the map that not even Chinese troops dared to enter. In 1905 two British explorers made the first foray into this land of the Black Lisu.
Early 20th century murals at Mangzhong Temple near Menglian
Ronald G. Knapp: China's Old Dwellings
Few people know as much about Chinese architecture as Knapp: from palaces to humble homes he explains important building principles; the connection between environment and housing styles and the development of style over time. A section on minority housing styles complements the book.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
Bai architecture style.
John Israel: Lianda: A Chinese University in War and Revolution
Everyone knows about the Mao's Long March, but a few years later another long march took place: that of Chinese students leaving their cushy campuses on the east coast, trekking all the way to Yunnan where their universities reformed as Lianda, the united university. Kunming, then a total backwater, became a hotbed for new ideas, not just scientific. We liked the section of east coast girls scampering around Mengzi in their latest fashion.
Suona melodies in the Pingchuan area of Binchuan.
The turn of the Yangzi made Chinese civilization possible and was the location of many important battles.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Buddha Relic Worship | 17 Apr |
| Buddha Relic Worship | 18 Apr |
| Buddha Relic Worship | 19 Apr |
| Hanna Temple Worship | 20 Apr |
| Ximu Buddha Print | 21 Apr |
| Zhefang Buddha Print | 22 Apr |
| Manluo Temple Fair | 23 Apr |
| Mangdao Temple Fair | 24 Apr |
| Fumeng Bada | 24 Apr |
| Mangha Bada | 25 Apr |
| Mangpan Temple Fair | 25 Apr |
| Manggong Temple Fair | 26 Apr |
Markets this Thursday
| Kunming | 昆明 |
|---|---|
| Jiulong | 九龙乡 |
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Nanxin | 南新 |
| Yangcen | 羊岑 |
| Niujie | 牛街 |
| Longjie | 龙街 |
| Maidi | 脉地 |
| Weishan | 巍山彝族回族自治县 |
| Fengyi | 凤仪 |
| Gudi | 古底 |
| Longjie | 龙街 |
| Wase | 挖色 |
| Daying | 大营 |
| Taiyi | 太邑彝族乡 |
| Qiaohou | 乔后 |
| Dianzhong | 甸中 |
| Luming | 鹿鸣乡 |
| 鲁庄 | |
| 妙姑村 | |
| 太和社区 | |
| Puping | 普淜镇 |
| 田口 | |
| 北桥 | |
| Shidongcun | 石洞村 |
| Qiaodian | 乔甸镇 |
| Xishuangbanna | 西双版纳 |
|---|---|
| Xiding | 西定哈尼族乡 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Niujiaozhai | 牛角寨 |
| Dianwei | 甸尾乡 |
| Heping | 和平乡 |
| Daheigong | 大黑公 |
| Wuwan | 乌弯 |
| Sankeshu | 三棵树 |
| Dixibei | 地西北 |
| Baixian | 白显 |
| Zhaotong | 昭通 |
|---|---|
| Menggu | 蒙姑镇 |
| Yuxi | 玉溪 |
|---|---|
| Mosha | 漠沙镇 |
| Fuliangpeng | 富良棚 |