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.
Hand-made giant sparklers, called "Fire Flowers" 火花, are part of the firework displays for temple fairs in Menglian county.
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.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
Traditional Bai vernacular architecture with buildings to three sides and a screenwall.
Hometown of many Bai merchants, Xizhou boast some impressive architecture.
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.
Midu Folk song is a national level intangible cultural heritage.
An unspoilt Tibetan area along the Zhibaluo River.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Northern Dipper Ritual | 10 Oct |
| Temple Fair | 10 Oct |
| Gongguoqiao September Trade Fair | 12 Oct |
| Flower Lantern | 15 Oct |
| Lajing Salt Road Culture Festival | 15 Oct |
| Holy Crane Festival | 17 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship (Eryuan Area) | 17 Oct |
| Achimugua | 18 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship (Fengyu Area) | 18 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship (Fengyi Area) | 18 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship | 18 Oct |
| Street Festival | 19 Oct |
Markets this Friday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Xiangtu | 象图乡 |
| Hecun | 萂村 |
| Jiancao | 捡槽 |
| Shanyang | 衫阳 |
| Gunipen | 沽泥盆 |
| Waxi | 瓦溪 |
| Xintun | 辛屯 |
| Wuxing | 五星 |
| Songgui | 松桂 |
| Pingchuan | 平川 |
| Yangbi | 漾濞彝族自治县 |
| Baidangping | 白荡坪 |
| Caojian | 漕间 |
| Shaxi | 沙溪 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| Yousuo | 右所镇 |
| Hedian | 禾甸镇 |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| 汤涧 | |
| Hongyan | 红岩镇 |
| Xishan | 西山乡 |
| Junhuacun | 均华村 |
| 大栗树 | |
| 龙洞村 | |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| Jijie | 鸡街乡 |
| Wachang | 瓦厂乡 |
| Lijiang | 丽江 |
|---|---|
| Shigu | 石鼓镇 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Longpeng | 龙朋镇 |
| Xinhua | 新华乡 |
| Shengcun | 生村 |
| Daqiao | 大桥乡 |
| Sancun | 三村 |
| Lengdun | 冷墩 |
| Lengquan | 冷泉镇 |
| Dongshan | 东山镇 |
| Shitouzhai | 石头寨 |
| Mengping | 勐坪 |
| Wenshan | 文山 |
|---|---|
| Lida | 里达镇 |
| Shuanglongying | 双龙营乡 |
| Zhujie | 朱街镇 |
| Mugan | 木杆 |
| Zhulin | 珠琳镇 |
| Baoshan | 保山市 |
|---|---|
| Xiaopingtian | 小平田 |
| Tengchong | 腾冲县 |
| Wama | 瓦马彝族白族乡 |
| Qujing | 曲靖市 |
|---|---|
| Fenghuang | 凤凰 |
| 干海子 | |
| Laochang | 老厂乡 |
| Wuxing | 五星乡 |
| Xinjie | 新街回族乡 |
| Yangmeishan | 杨梅山 |
| Puer | 普洱 |
|---|---|
| Jiangcheng | 江城哈尼族彝族自治县 |
| Baozang | 宝藏乡 |
| Meizi | 梅子镇 |
| Yongping | 永平镇 |
| Meng'a | 孟啊 |
| Diqing | 迪庆 |
|---|---|
| Shangjiang | 上江 |