The Red Soil of Dongchuan
The Wumeng Mountains' bright red soil, the buckwheat's yellow and Yunnan's dramatic skies make the region around Dongchuan a paradise for photographers.
Jim Goodman: Xishuangbanna
For most of its history Xishuangbanna existed as an autonomous state on the remote southern periphery of China, run by the same Dai family since the 12th century. Lying in the tropical zone, on the northern rim of Southeast Asia, with flora and fauna not only unlike the rest of China, but even unique in Yunnan province, it has had close ethnic and cultural relations with its neighbors in Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. The valleys are home to the Dai nationality, while several ethnic minorities inhabit the hills. Xishuangbanna: the Tropics of Yunnan narrates the history and development of the Dai people, their culture, society and religion, from ancient times through the period of incorporation into the Chinese state. It also covers the characteristics of the lifestyle, culture and celebrations of the peoples of the mountains, as well as the economic and political changes of recent times and their effects on both hill and plain.
Yunnan Tours
We can put you in contact with personally vetted, experienced tour guides, speaking Chinese, English, Dutch and German, for southwestern China. They can help you plan a trip matching your personal interests and requirements and accompany you on your trip. We just provide the introduction, we do not charge any commission or fees.
For enquiries email tours@yunnanexplorer.com.
The various Lisu groups in Xiangyun county receive government money to maintain their customs, resulting in an eclectic mix of activities, that are nevertheless good fun. In Lilame 立腊么 village in Xiangyun 祥云 on the second day of the second month Dragon Worship is conducted to pray for sufficient water.
Jim Goodman: Living in Shangrila
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.
With its well-preserved architecture and tranquil atmosphere, Weishan's capital is Yunnan's most beautiful county town.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Benzhu Worship | 22 May |
| Guniangjie | 23 May |
| Yanguang Birthday | 24 May |
| Start of Raosanling | 26 May |
| Raosanling | 27 May |
| Benzhu Worship | 29 May |
| Medicine Buddha Birthday | 01 Jun |
| Benzhu Worship | 03 Jun |
| Kuzhazha | 03 Jun |
| Kuzhazha | 04 Jun |
| Flower Festival | 05 Jun |
| Eid al-Fitr | 05 Jun |
Markets this Friday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Duomei | 朵美 |
| Junhua | 均化 |
| Hecun | 萂村 |
| Shaxi | 沙溪 |
| Nanxin | 南新 |
| Baidangping | 白荡坪 |
| Haidong | 海东 |
| Jiancao | 捡槽 |
| Caojian | 漕间 |
| Wuxing | 五星 |
| Gudi | 古底 |
| Pingchuan | 平川 |
| Yinqiao | 银桥 |
| Liuhe | 六合 |
| Yousuo | 右所镇 |
| Heqing | 鹤庆县 |
| Yangbi | 漾濞彝族自治县 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Shalatuo | 沙拉托 |
| Xinhua | 新华乡 |
| Zhemi | 者米拉祜族乡 |
| Lengdun | 冷墩 |
| Lengquan | 冷泉镇 |
| Panzihua | 攀枝花 |
| Tongchang | 铜厂 |
| Dongshan | 东山镇 |
| Shitouzhai | 石头寨 |
| Zhaotong | 昭通 |
|---|---|
| Shuanghe | 双河 |
| Diqing | 迪庆 |
|---|---|
| Zhonglu | 中路 |