1875: Death of a British Diplomat
After Britain's 1852 annexation of lower Burma lucrative trade with China through its back-door seemed more than a distant possibility. But after a successful first mission up the Irrawaddy and into Yunnan in 1868, the second British mission six years later ended in tragedy.
An important Dai festival traditionally marking the beginning of the summer retreat for monks.
C. Patterson Giersch: Asian Borderlands: The Transformation of Qing China's Yunnan Frontier
Yunnan was not always China: indeed not so long ago large parts of Yunnan were only nominally part of the empire. To make Yunnan, outside the main Han cities, a Chinese province required significant effort. Here Giersch's study on Yunnan's hinterland makes an interesting if academic read.
A number of Chinese historic texts covering life and politics in Yunnan have survived over the centuries. I have translated a few of them.
Jianchuan is known for its rich music tradition.
With its well-preserved architecture and tranquil atmosphere, Weishan's capital is Yunnan's most beautiful county town.
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 well preserved small town that grew rich on salt.
Upcoming Festivals
| Name | Date |
|---|---|
| Ghost Month | 13 Aug |
| Mule Fair | 17 Aug |
| Qixi Festival | 19 Aug |
| Benzhu Worship | 19 Aug |
| Benzhu Worship | 21 Aug |
| Moerduo Temple Fair | 22 Aug |
| Playing the Fragrant Dragon | 23 Aug |
| End of Heat | 23 Aug |
| Benzhu Worship | 25 Aug |
| Burning Bag Festival | 26 Aug |
| Benzhu Worship (Jianchuan Area) | 26 Aug |
| Maulid an-Nabi | 26 Aug |
Markets this Wednesday
| Dali | 大理 |
|---|---|
| Shunbi | 順濞 |
| Xintun | 辛屯 |
| Shaba | 沙坝 |
| Qinghua | 清华 |
| Songgui | 松桂 |
| Niujie | 牛街 |
| Zhongying | 种英 |
| Huangping | 黄平镇 |
| Shanglan | 上兰 |
| Zhouguanying | 周官营 |
| 顺荡 | |
| 龙街 | |
| Liuchang | 刘厂镇 |
| Puping | 普淜镇 |
| 果城村 | |
| Xinjie | 新街镇 |
| Gongguoqiao | 功果桥镇 |
| Mizhi | 密祉镇 |
| Shangcang | 上沧 |
| Lijiang | 丽江 |
|---|---|
| Shigu | 石鼓镇 |
| Honghe | 红河 |
|---|---|
| Zhicun | 芷村镇 |
| Nafa | 那发 |
| Sancun | 三村 |
| Jiache | 架车 |
| Baiyun | 白云乡 |
| Yongning | 永宁乡 |
| Zhongzhai | 中寨 |
| Tutai | 土台 |
| Hongtian | 红田 |
| Baoshan | 保山市 |
|---|---|
| Manglong | 芒龙 |
| Lincang | 临沧 |
|---|---|
| Cangyuan | 沧源佤族自治县 |
| Quannei | 圈内 |
| Shuangjiang | 双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县 |
| Junsai | 军赛乡 |
| Zhenkang | 镇康县 |
| Diqing | 迪庆 |
|---|---|
| Kaifaqu | 开发区 |