Dancing under the Moonlight: the Costume Festival of Zhizuo
As villages go, Zhizuo could hardly be more remote. Some 70km from the county town, first along a winding mountain road, then on a deeply rutted track without public transport: even in the dry season it takes several hours and a bit of stamina to reach. Yet, at least on the first full moon of the year, the effort is worth it, as Zhizuo holds one of Yunnan's most colourful festivals, the Dress Competition Festival or Caizhuangjie 赛装节.
The watermills in Fengqing's Gumo village operate just like a thousand years ago.
Jim Goodman: The Akha: Guardians of the Forest
The Akha, in China known as the Aini branch of the Hani people, migrated from China southwards into Laos, Burma and Thailand. In this richly illustrated book J Goodman, aka 'Akha Jim', explains their life and culture.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
Mountain area north of Erhai.
Hometown of many Bai merchants, Xizhou boast some impressive architecture.
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.
Scenic karst mountain and lake area with local Yi culture.
The Danxia, or red sandstore, cliffs around Liming are a hikers' and climbers' paradise that is just now being discovered.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Flower Festival | 17 Jun |
| "Southern Silk Road" Trade Fair | 19 Jun |
| Asian Valentines Day | 19 Jun |
| Horse Races | 19 Jun |
| Harp Festival | 21 Jun |
| Summer Solstice | 21 Jun |
| Benzhu Worship (Fengyi Area) | 22 Jun |
| "Sharpen the Knife" Festival | 27 Jun |
| Chief's Temple Fair | 27 Jun |
| Benzhu Worship | 27 Jun |
| Dandao Temple Fair | 27 Jun |
| Full Moon Ritual | 29 Jun |
Markets this Sunday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Jiuzhou | 旧州 |
| Junhua | 均化 |
| Duomei | 朵美 |
| Shanyang | 衫阳 |
| Sanying | 三营 |
| Yunlong | 云龙县 |
| Beitou | 北头 |
| Liuhe | 六合 |
| Liantie | 炼铁 |
| Binchuan | 宾川县 |
| Lawu | 拉乌 |
| Heqing | 鹤庆县 |
| Changxin | 长新 |
| Jianchuan | 剑川县 |
| Caojian | 漕间 |
| Shuanglang | 双廊镇 |
| Dacang | 大仓镇 |
| Pingpo | 平坡 |
| Eryuan | 洱源县 |
| Minjian | 民建乡 |
| 青苗 | |
| 龙洞村 | |
| Niujie | 牛街彝族乡 |
| Shalong | 沙龙镇 |
| Longjie | 龙街 |
| Junhuacun | 均华村 |
| Xiazhuang | 下庄镇 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Pingbian | 屏边苗族自治县 |
| Mengla | 勐拉 |
| Niujiaozhai | 牛角寨 |
| Diema | 垤玛 |
| Sancun | 三村 |
| Mengzi | 蒙自县 |
| Chake | 岔科 |
| Jiayin | 甲寅 |
| Azhahe | 阿扎河 |
| Liangdi | 浪堤 |
| Baohua | 宝华 |
| Yongning | 永宁乡 |
| Luoen | 洛恩 |
| Laomeng | 老勐 |
| Maandi | 马鞍底 |
| Wenshan | 文山 |
|---|---|
| Guangnan | 广南县 |
| Shadou | 沙斗 |
| Pingyuan | 平远 |
| Nijiao | 腻脚彝族乡 |
| Zhesang | 者桑乡 |
| Jijie | 鸡街乡 |
| Donggan | 董干镇 |
| Tienpeng | 田蓬镇 |
| Babao | 八宝镇 |
| Jiumo | 旧莫乡 |
| Qujing | 曲靖市 |
|---|---|
| Daibu | 待补镇 |
| Fenghuang | 凤凰 |
| 干海子 | |
| Laochang | 老厂乡 |
| Sandao | 三道 |
| Wuxing | 五星乡 |
| Xinjie | 新街回族乡 |
| Yangmeishan | 杨梅山 |