Slideshows

Tianmoya 天摩牙 is a vast temple complex on the western side of the Weishan basin that combines elements of Daoism, Buddhism and Ancient Religion. The Leishen 雷神 shown here are magic spirits of the Daoist world.

A member of the Dongjing Association performing in a ritual for the Dragon King.

Dali's new architecture showcase project, the Leicui Garden, is an imagined royal garden from the period of the Dali Kingdom (937-1253AD).

Huadeng 花灯 "Flower Lantern" is a kind of local folk opera, combining folk song, dance and dialect, with the topic frequently modern life such as dating. Traditionally Huadeng is performed during Spring Festival, but now relatively rare. Huadeng has been recognized as intangible cultural heritage of Binchuan county. This is a performance of the county Huadeng Troupe, performing "Three Matchmakers" 三个媒人.

A traditional Chinese folk play performance by a professional troupe from Xiaguan.

On occasion of the Black Dragon Fair near Fengyu, villagers perform a traditional folk play.

The festival in honour of Baofeng's patron saint, the Benzhu, is part of Dali's intangible cultural heritage.

Yunlong uniquely has two Wenmiao 文庙, temples to Confucius, one in Nuodeng 诺邓 and one in Baofeng 宝丰, the old county seat. Here are the celebrations on occasion of Confucius' birthday in Baofeng.

Chuichuiqiang is an ancient form of folk opera, only preserved in Yunlong county, where it is performed during the New Year period. Here is the performance in 箐干坪 Qingganping village.

The Black Dragon Fair 黑龙会 is a folk worship event in Zhuangshang village 庄上村 near Fengyu 风羽.

In Dali, the Dragon Boat races unusually take place on the day of the Torch Festival, on the eastern side of Erhai.

The Buddhist ritual release of live animals has a great tradition in Gusheng village, even giving the village its name.