古镇: Death-knell for Yunnan's Historic Towns
In China even the 'old towns' are new. Under the 古镇, or ancient town, moniker old towns are razed and their population driven out to make space for sanitized versions of Chinese history that drive the tourist dollar.
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.
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.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
The Dali history museum inside the headquarters of Du Wenxiu.
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.
Large golden pagoda in Menglian town
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Litang Horse Racing | 01 Aug |
| Mizhi Torch Festival | 07 Aug |
| Worship the Tree God | 07 Aug |
| Zhoucheng Torch Festival | 07 Aug |
| Dragon Boat Races | 07 Aug |
| Shaxi Torch Festival | 07 Aug |
| Haixihai Songfest | 07 Aug |
| Dengchuan Torch Festival | 07 Aug |
| Changmei Festival | 07 Aug |
| Benzhu Worship | 07 Aug |
| Start of Autumn | 07 Aug |
| Dali Torch Festival | 07 Aug |
Markets this Saturday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Zhoucheng | 州城 |
| Yongping | 永平县 |
| Haidong | 海东 |
| Lijiao | 力角 |
| Paiying | 排营 |
| Wanqiao | 湾桥 |
| Shijing | 师井 |
| Diannan | 甸南 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| Dacang | 大仓镇 |
| Jiangwei | 江尾镇 |
| Shuanglang | 双廊镇 |
| Zhongjiang | 中江 |
| 龙洞村 | |
| Longjie | 龙街 |
| 桥街 | |
| Caifeng | 财丰 |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| Miaojie | 庙街镇 |
| Houshancun | 后山村 |
| Changyi | 长邑村 |
| Deju | 德苴乡 |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| 三胜 | |
| Jindunjiecun | 金墩街村 |
| 三鹤 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Mengla | 勐拉 |
| Xinansuo | 新安所镇 |
| Niujiaozhai | 牛角寨 |
| Daheishan | 大黑山乡 |
| Leyu | 乐育 |
| Wuwan | 乌弯 |
| Xinxian | 新现乡 |
| Daheigong | 大黑公 |
| Shaochong | 哨冲镇 |
| Niujie | 牛街镇 |
| Maandi | 马鞍底 |
| Wenshan | 文山 |
|---|---|
| Pingba | 坪坝镇 |
| Matang | 马塘镇 |
| Shadou | 沙斗 |
| Nijiao | 腻脚彝族乡 |
| Jijie | 鸡街乡 |
| Tienpeng | 田蓬镇 |
| Donggan | 董干镇 |
| Jiumo | 旧莫乡 |