Lanniqing Village of Xiyi Town in Mile City, Honghe Prefecture

Lanniqing Village Travel Guide (滥泥箐村)

? Overview

Lanniqing Village, located in Xiyi Town, Mile City (弥勒市西一镇), Honghe Prefecture, is a core settlement of the Axi branch of the Yi people. In 2020, it was listed in the 4th batch of China’s Traditional Villages.
Situated in a karst landscape at 1,660 meters elevation, with an average annual temperature of 16.7°C, the village blends agricultural culture, natural wonders, and century-old religious heritage, making it a unique ethnic tourism destination.

? History & Ethnic Background

• Yi Name: Known in Yi language as Jidu Hai (“Auspicious and Mysterious Place”).

• Ancient Roots: Archaeological finds such as pottery shards trace habitation back over 2,000 years, showing the long history of Axi Yi settlement.

• Cultural Identity: Today it is a model village for ethnic unity and progress, with traditions of farming, singing, and dancing still thriving.

? Natural Attractions

• Bage Cave Sinkhole (八哥洞天坑):

  • 500 m west of the village, diameter ~200 m, depth 60 m.

  • Features stalactite-filled caves, underground pools, and constant streams.

  • 68% forest coverage creates a rich ecological environment for exploration.

• Tropical Canyon: Dense vegetation, deep valleys, and dramatic karst formations—ideal for hiking and eco-adventures. ??️

? Architectural & Cultural Heritage

• Lanniqing Catholic Church (滥泥箐天主教堂):

  • Built in 1923, now a county-level protected heritage site.

  • Architectural fusion: rammed earth walls, wooden beams, and Western-style arches.

  • Frescoes painted in Yi ethnic colors (red, blue, yellow, white), symbolizing the blend of Catholicism with Axi Yi culture.

  • Recognized as a provincial model site for religious rule of law (2017).

• Educational Legacy: The former site of Xishan Ethnic Middle School (1951), originally funded by General Zhang Chong in 1935 as a church school, marks the village’s role in modern education history.

? Customs & Traditions

• Dance Heritage: Famous as the “Hometown of Song and Dance,” the village preserves Axi Tiaoyue (阿细跳月), a national intangible cultural heritage. During festivals, villagers and guests dance together under the moon.

• Community Governance: Since 2024, the 293 households are divided into 26 community grids for dispute resolution, achieving “zero conflicts leaving the village.” A red-black list in village rules encourages harmony and collective responsibility.

• Festive Weddings: Banquets with flowing-table seating, toasting songs, and communal participation reflect the unity of Axi traditions.

? Religion & Belief

• Core Faith: Catholicism, deeply integrated with Yi traditions.

• Cultural Fusion: Church frescoes incorporate Yi totems and natural motifs.

• Torch Festival: Villagers conduct fire rituals to pray for harvests. Tourists may observe the bonfire ceremonies but not participate in sacred rites.

• Recognition: In 2019, the church was honored as a Prefecture-level Model for Ethnic Unity under the principle of Sinicization of religion.

⚗️ Economy & Development

• Agriculture: Main crops are flue-cured tobacco and white radish.

• Livestock: In 2024, a ¥997,600 pilot pig farming project with eco-friendly waste treatment facilities was launched, promoting sustainable animal husbandry.

• Tourism Integration: Leveraging its heritage status, the village is developing sinkhole adventure tours, Axi embroidery workshops, and rural cultural tourism projects.

⚙️ Travel Tips

• Getting There:

  • By car: ~1 hour from Mile City center (some dirt roads).

  • By bus: Shuttle available from Mile High-Speed Rail Station (lines 1/2/3).

• Best Seasons:

  • Spring & Autumn for hiking and visiting the church frescoes.

  • Summer (Torch Festival, 24th day of the 6th lunar month) for cultural immersion.

• Accommodation: Local farm stays (农家乐) recommended for authentic Axi Yi hospitality.

• Facilities: The village has electricity, water, and a health clinic; suitable for short cultural tours.

? Travel Theme

Lanniqing Village shines with the dual allure of “Karst Wonders + Century-old Catholic Church.”
Visitors can explore mystical sinkholes by day and admire sacred Yi-Catholic frescoes by night—ending with the rhythmic joy of Axi Tiaoyue, where faith, nature, and tradition dance in harmony. ✨