Protecting Erhai: The Seven Big Activities
When in April 2017 guesthouses and restaurants around western Yunnan's Erhai Lake were suddenly summarily ordered closed until further notice, big character slogans also began proclaiming: "Protecting Erhai: The Seven Big Activities" 保护洱海七大行动. The slogan suggests that the closure of tourist facilities is just one part of a wider campaign to clean up the Erhai environment.
The temple in Mangdao 芒岛, built in 1899, is one of few surviving examples of Dai Buddhist temples having survived the Cultural Revolution by being converted into grain storage.
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.
Suona melodies in the Pingchuan area of Binchuan.
A history trading post on the upper reaches of the Yangzi.
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.
The biggest country fair in Yunnan.
The Danxia, or red sandstore, cliffs around Liming are a hikers' and climbers' paradise that is just now being discovered.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Mushroom Festival | 09 Aug |
| Benzhu Worship | 10 Aug |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 10 Aug |
| Perseid Meteor Shower | 12 Aug |
| Wumulong Torch Festival | 12 Aug |
| Longkan Ghost Festival | 13 Aug |
| Camel Festival | 13 Aug |
| Ghost Month | 13 Aug |
| Yinongwu | 13 Aug |
| New Moon Ritual | 13 Aug |
| Baijie Festival | 13 Aug |
| Ghost Month Ritual | 14 Aug |
Markets this Tuesday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Fuheng | 富恒 |
| Zhongsuo | 中所 |
| Duomei | 朵美 |
| Junhua | 均化 |
| Liandong | 炼洞 |
| Fengyu | 风羽 |
| Yongping | 永平县 |
| Shanyang | 衫阳 |
| Guanping | 关平 |
| Baofeng | 宝丰乡 |
| Liuhe | 六合 |
| Heqing | 鹤庆县 |
| Madeng | 马镫 |
| Binju | 宾居 |
| Shuijing | 水井 |
| Zuòyì | 作邑 |
| Dacang | 大仓镇 |
| Caojian | 漕间 |
| Junhuacun | 均华村 |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| Liuchang | 刘厂镇 |
| Deju | 德苴乡 |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| 果城村 | |
| Xinjie | 新街镇 |
| 龙洞村 | |
| Mizhi | 密祉镇 |
| Lijiang | 丽江 |
|---|---|
| Liming | 黎明 |
| Zhaotong | 昭通 |
|---|---|
| Shuanghe | 双河 |
| Nujiang | 怒江 |
|---|---|
| Gudeng | 古登 |
| Bingzhongluo | 丙中洛 |
| Lishadi | 利沙底乡 |
| Puer | 普洱 |
|---|---|
| Nuofu | 糯福 |
| Dashan | 大山乡 |
| Meizi | 梅子镇 |
| Fubang | 富邦乡 |
| Mengma | 孟马镇 |
| Mujia | 木戛乡 |
| Ankang | 安康佤族乡 |
| Wendong | 文东佤族乡 |
| Wenggake | 翁嘎科镇 |