Early Maps of Yunnan
The history of maps in Yunnan began more than a thousand years ago. But it was the Jesuits who revolutionised mapping in China, producing the first accurate maps of the provinces, including remote Yunnan.
Hand-made giant sparklers, called "Fire Flowers" 火花, are part of the firework displays for temple fairs in Menglian county.
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.
A Bai town famous for its typical Bai architecture.
Jim Goodman: Living in Shangrila: Tibetans and Mosuo in Northwest Yunnan
Abstract: When Diqing Prefecture, opened its doors to foreign visitors in 1992, tourist agencies and government officials promoted Zhongdian County as the Shangrila of James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon. In 2001 the city officially changed its name to Shangrila. On a high plateau of over 3200 meters, surrounded by snow covered mountain peaks, inhabited mainly by relatively prosperous, friendly and contented Tibetans, with beautiful monasteries, lakes, forests and summer flowers, the county’s scenery and lifestyle certainly bore a strong resemblance to that in the novel. Living in Shangrila describes the life and environment of the Tibetan people throughout Diqing Prefecture. It also examines their neighbors the Mosuo, a branch of the Naxi nationality, who adopted Tibetan Buddhism as their religion, but are still mainly a matrilineal society, unique to Yunnan, living around Lugu Lake, the most picturesque body of water in the province. The book includes over 200 photographs.
An isolated Bai town with rich culture.
Best surviving station on the French-built Vietnam-Kunming railway.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| National Day | 01 Oct |
| Mountain God Temple Worship | 05 Oct |
| Benzhu Worship | 07 Oct |
| Confucius Birthday | 07 Oct |
| Confucius Worship | 07 Oct |
| Confucius Festival | 07 Oct |
| Cold Dew | 08 Oct |
| Welcoming the Grandmother | 09 Oct |
| Temple Fair | 10 Oct |
| Northern Dipper Ritual | 10 Oct |
| Welcoming the Grandmother | 10 Oct |
| Benzhu Festival | 11 Oct |
Markets this Tuesday
| Kunming | 昆明 |
|---|---|
| Banqiao | 板桥乡 |
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Zhongsuo | 中所 |
| Fuheng | 富恒 |
| Fengyu | 风羽 |
| Yongping | 永平县 |
| Shanyang | 衫阳 |
| Liandong | 炼洞 |
| Haidong | 海东 |
| Wanqiao | 湾桥 |
| Xintun | 辛屯 |
| Qinghua | 清华 |
| Songgui | 松桂 |
| Guanping | 关平 |
| Baofeng | 宝丰乡 |
| Madeng | 马镫 |
| Binju | 宾居 |
| Shuijing | 水井 |
| Niujie | 牛街 |
| Caojian | 漕间 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| Deju | 德苴乡 |
| Mizhi | 密祉镇 |
| Liuchang | 刘厂镇 |
| Xinjie | 新街镇 |
| 果城村 | |
| Junhuacun | 均华村 |
| Puping | 普淜镇 |
| Lijiang | 丽江 |
|---|---|
| Shigu | 石鼓镇 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Longpeng | 龙朋镇 |
| Daqiao | 大桥乡 |
| Nafa | 那发 |
| Mingjiu | 鸣鹫镇 |
| Wantang | 湾塘乡 |
| Caoba | 草坝镇 |
| Jiache | 架车 |
| Dayangjie | 大羊街 |
| Zhongzhai | 中寨 |
| Baoshan | 保山市 |
|---|---|
| Xiaopingtian | 小平田 |
| Tengchong | 腾冲县 |
| Wama | 瓦马彝族白族乡 |
| Nujiang | 怒江 |
|---|---|
| Gudeng | 古登 |
| Bingzhongluo | 丙中洛 |
| Lishadi | 利沙底乡 |
| Puer | 普洱 |
|---|---|
| Baozang | 宝藏乡 |
| Meizi | 梅子镇 |
| Fubang | 富邦乡 |
| Yongping | 永平镇 |
| Mujia | 木戛乡 |
| Ankang | 安康佤族乡 |
| Meng'a | 孟啊 |
| Wendong | 文东佤族乡 |
| Wenggake | 翁嘎科镇 |
| Diqing | 迪庆 |
|---|---|
| Shangjiang | 上江 |