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.
Since its foundation by the charismatic scholar Xuan Ke 宣科 in the 1980s, the Naxi Ancient Music Association has been performing regularly in the old town of Lijiang.
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.
Ancient Daoist temple music performed in Dali.
Yunnan's only Shui-Township with stunning karst scenery.
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.
Traditional Bai vernacular architecture with buildings to three sides and a screenwall.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Kuoshi Lisu New Year | 23 Jan |
| Wuxi Festival | 24 Jan |
| "Replenish Provisions" Ritual | 24 Jan |
| Lingshan Temple Fair | 26 Jan |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 26 Jan |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 27 Jan |
| Long Table Feast | 27 Jan |
| Benzhu Festival | 27 Jan |
| Benzhu Worship | 01 Feb |
| Full Moon Ritual | 02 Feb |
| Benzhu Worship | 02 Feb |
| Start of Spring | 04 Feb |
Markets this Thursday
| Kunming | 昆明 |
|---|---|
| Kedu | 柯渡镇 |
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Nanxin | 南新 |
| Yangcen | 羊岑 |
| Niujie | 牛街 |
| Maidi | 脉地 |
| Wanqiao | 湾桥 |
| Gudi | 古底 |
| Qiaohou | 乔后 |
| Daying | 大营 |
| Taiyi | 太邑彝族乡 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| Shuanglang | 双廊镇 |
| Zhongjiang | 中江 |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| 龙洞村 | |
| 寅街村 | |
| Qiaodian | 乔甸镇 |
| 太和社区 | |
| Beiya | 北衙 |
| Longjie | 龙街 |
| Jindunjiecun | 金墩街村 |
| 鲁庄 | |
| Midian | 米甸镇 |
| 西庄 | |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| Lijiang | 丽江 |
|---|---|
| Shunzhou | 顺州 |
| Xishuangbanna | 西双版纳 |
|---|---|
| Xiding | 西定哈尼族乡 |