From Niujiaozhai to Yuanyang
Yuanyang county, south of the Red River in the province's southeast, is famous for its Hani rice-terraces. With its splendid vistas and ethnic mix it is also a great area for hiking. Here we describe a moderate day-hike starting at the market-town of Niujiaozhai, passing through Yi and Hani villages and ending with stunning sunset vistas over the rice-terraces of Longshuba.
Early 20th century murals at Mangzhong Temple near Menglian
Jim Goodman: The Terrace Builders: The Hani and their Neighbors in Yunnan's Ailao Mountains
Abstract: The rice terraces of the Ailao Mountains in southern Yunnan province, China, are some of the oldest terraced farms in Asia. First mentioned in Tang Dynasty records, these farms, 80% of which are irrigated, with water running through them all year round, have been in continuous use for over a thousand years. In 2013 UNESCO declared the heartland of this area a World Heritage Site. The Terrace Builders is a detailed account of how these farms are made and used, the cities and mountains of Honghe Prefecture and the far north of Vietnam, as well as the various ethnic minorities who live there. The book pays special attention to the Hani people, the largest ethnic group in the area, and includes summaries of the culture and clothing of their neighbors the Yi, Miao, Yao, Zhuang and Dai. The book includes 300 photos of the land and its people.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
One of the biggest Bai festivals.
Liao Yiwu: God is Red: The Secret Story of How Christianity Survived and Flourished in Communist China
Liao Yiwu, one of China's most prominent dissidents, was driven out of China, but not before he used a period of internal exile to research Christian groups, mainly in Yunnan. In this book he tells the stories of the Christians of Dali and of Wuding county.
Bai vernacular architecture is very ornate, the style of painting is recognised as national level intangible heritage.
Largest Miao village in the Kunming area with a large Christian community and a nationally-acclaimed church-choir.
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 Wednesday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Shunbi | 順濞 |
| Xintun | 辛屯 |
| Songgui | 松桂 |
| Shaba | 沙坝 |
| Yinqiao | 银桥 |
| Zhongying | 种英 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| Shanglan | 上兰 |
| Zhouguanying | 周官营 |
| 顺荡 | |
| Mizhi | 密祉镇 |
| 果城村 | |
| 龙街 | |
| Shangcang | 上沧 |
| Liuchang | 刘厂镇 |
| Xinjie | 新街镇 |
| Gongguoqiao | 功果桥镇 |
| Lijiang | 丽江 |
|---|---|
| Shigu | 石鼓镇 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Zhicun | 芷村镇 |
| Shalatuo | 沙拉托 |
| Baiyun | 白云乡 |
| Yongning | 永宁乡 |
| Zhemi | 者米拉祜族乡 |
| Panzihua | 攀枝花 |
| Tutai | 土台 |
| Tongchang | 铜厂 |
| Hongtian | 红田 |
| Baoshan | 保山市 |
|---|---|
| Xiaopingtian | 小平田 |
| Tengchong | 腾冲县 |
| Wama | 瓦马彝族白族乡 |
| Puer | 普洱 |
|---|---|
| Jiahe | 嘉禾乡 |
| Fubang | 富邦乡 |
| Yongping | 永平镇 |
| Mujia | 木戛乡 |
| Ankang | 安康佤族乡 |
| Mengxian | 勐先镇 |
| Meng'a | 孟啊 |
| Wendong | 文东佤族乡 |
| Diqing | 迪庆 |
|---|---|
| Kaifaqu | 开发区 |