Yunnan - China's most beautiful province


The Old Bridges Across the Longjiang

The Old Bridges Across the Longjiang

Many old bridges still span the Longjiang River in western Yunnan. 




In Huize, the old capital of copper in Yunnan, many splendid guildhalls survive.


Jim Goodman: The Terrace Builders: The Hani and their Neighbors in Yunnan's Ailao Mountains

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Abstract: The rice terraces of the Ailao Mountains in southern Yunnan province, China, are some of the oldest terraced farms in Asia. First mentioned in Tang Dynasty records, these farms, 80% of which are irrigated, with water running through them all year round, have been in continuous use for over a thousand years. In 2013 UNESCO declared the heartland of this area a World Heritage Site. The Terrace Builders is a detailed account of how these farms are made and used, the cities and mountains of Honghe Prefecture and the far north of Vietnam, as well as the various ethnic minorities who live there. The book pays special attention to the Hani people, the largest ethnic group in the area, and includes summaries of the culture and clothing of their neighbors the Yi, Miao, Yao, Zhuang and Dai. The book includes 300 photos of the land and its people.


A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.

Largest Miao village in the Kunming area with a large Christian community and a nationally-acclaimed church-choir.


Ronald G. Knapp: China's Old Dwellings

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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.


Dali's dragon boat races were held on the day of the Torch Festival.



The turn of the Yangzi made Chinese civilization possible and was the location of many important battles.

Markets this Friday

Kunming 昆明
Wumeng 乌蒙乡
Jinsuo 金所乡
Banqiao 板桥乡

Dali 大理
Xiangtu 象图乡
Hecun 萂村
Gunipen 沽泥盆
Jiancao 捡槽
Wanqiao 湾桥
Waxi 瓦溪
Qinghua 清华
Wuxing 五星
Pingchuan 平川
Weishan 巍山彝族回族自治县
Fengyi 凤仪
Wase 挖色
Yangbi 漾濞彝族自治县
Baidangping 白荡坪
Niujie 牛街
Shaxi 沙溪
Dianzhong 甸中
Yousuo 右所镇
妙姑村
田口
Luming 鹿鸣乡
Xishan 西山乡
大栗树
北桥
Mizhi 密祉镇
Jijie 鸡街乡
果城村
Wachang 瓦厂乡
汤涧
Liuchang 刘厂镇
Xinjie 新街镇
Puping 普淜镇
Shidongcun 石洞村

Dehong 德宏
Husa 户撒乡
Nangsong 曩宋阿昌族乡

Honghe 红河
Xinhua 新华乡
Nafa 那发
Lengquan 冷泉镇
Lengdun 冷墩
Dongshan 东山镇
Jiache 架车
Shitouzhai 石头寨
Zhongzhai 中寨

Wenshan 文山
Puyang 普阳
Funing 富宁县
Shupi 树皮彝族乡
Xichou 西畴县

Chuxiong 楚雄
Dalongkou 大龙口乡
Qianchang 前场镇
Jiuchang 九厂
Guihua 桂花乡

Baoshan 保山市
Manglong 芒龙

Lincang 临沧
Cangyuan 沧源佤族自治县
Shuangjiang 双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县
Quannei 圈内
Junsai 军赛乡
Zhenkang 镇康县

Qujing 曲靖市
Wopo 窝坡
干海子
Kuangshan 矿山镇
Laochang 老厂乡
Wuxing 五星乡
Xinjie 新街回族乡
Yangmeishan 杨梅山
Yulu 雨碌乡

Zhaotong 昭通
Menggu 蒙姑镇

Yuxi 玉溪
Fuliangpeng 富良棚

Nujiang 怒江
Chenggan 称杆
Daxingdi 大兴地乡
Zilijia 子里甲乡
Fugong 福贡

Puer 普洱
Fubang 富邦乡
Fuyan 富岩
Kangping 康平乡
Mujia 木戛乡
Ankang 安康佤族乡
Wendong 文东佤族乡