Peide Village of Cuiyu Town in Ninglang County, Lijiang

Peide Village (培德村) is an administrative village under the jurisdiction of Cuiyu Township (翠玉乡), Ninglang County (宁蒗县), Lijiang City (丽江市), Yunnan Province. It is classified as a rural area with the urban and rural classification code 220. The district code is 530724203200, and the first six digits of the residents' ID card numbers are 530724. The postal code is 674300, the long-distance telephone area code is 0888, and the vehicle license plate code is Yun P (云P). Peide Village is adjacent to Ahai Village (阿海村), Yidi Village (宜底村), Guantian Village (官田村), Erping Village (二坪村), Chundong Village (春东村), and Cuiyu Village (翠玉村).
Peide Village (培德村), located in Cuiyu Town (翠玉镇), Ninglang Yi Autonomous County (宁蒗彝族自治县), Lijiang, Yunnan Province, is a traditional settlement primarily inhabited by the Lisu (傈僳族) people. This village is deeply rooted in the rich cultural heritage of the Lisu people and preserves many of their customs, practices, and traditional architecture. The village is also an important cultural hub, as it is located within the unique cultural landscape of the Lisu, Pumi (普米族), and other ethnic minorities, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the life and history of this region.

Location and Transportation

Peide Village is located in Cuiyu Township, Ninglang County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province, approximately 110 kilometers away from the urban area of Lijiang. To get there from Lijiang, you can take a minibus to Cuiyu Township and then proceed along the mountain road to Peide Village. Cuiyu Township connects to many scenic spots such as Shangri-La, Tiger Leaping Gorge, White Water Terrace, DaJu, Baoshan, and Lugu Lake, with endless beautiful scenery along the way. Travelers passing by can stop and experience the rural beauty.

Features and Accommodation

Ethnic Culture

Peide Village is a settlement of the Lisu ethnic group. The name "Peide" (培德) is a transliteration of the Lisu language, meaning the name of a towering ancient tree. The village preserves traditional festivals such as the Kuoshe Festival (阔时节), Dragon Boat Festival (端午节), New Tasting Festival (尝新节), and Pagoda Worship Festival (祭塔节), and continues traditional crafts like "fire grass weaving" and the construction of wooden houses.

Architectural Features

The buildings in the village are mainly traditional Lisu-style wooden houses, mostly made of pure wood. The combination of cacti, stone walls, and the distinctive wooden houses creates an environment full of historical charm, simplicity, and grandeur.

Accommodation Options

There are hotels available in Cuiyu Township. For example, Cuiyu Zhen Er Xi Hotel (翠玉臻尔曦酒店) is located at No. 71 Cuiyu Road, Cuiyu Township, 27.7 kilometers away from the city center, providing clean, hygienic, quiet, and comfortable accommodation.

Industrial Development

In recent years, under the leadership of the township committee and government of Cuiyu, Peide Village has adhered to the principle of leading industrial development with Party building. By improving agricultural water conservancy and road conditions, the village has enhanced the basic conditions for agricultural production and developed the yellow fruit industry to promote employment and income increase for local farmers. The village has also established Ninglang Peide Yellow Fruit Green Agriculture Co., Ltd. (宁蒗县培德黄果绿色农业有限公司), which mainly engages in the planting of fruits and nuts, as well as the production, sales, processing, transportation, and storage of agricultural products.

Village Environment

Historical Background

Since the Yuan Dynasty, the Lisu ancestors migrated from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, passing through the western Sichuan Basin, and crossed the Lancang River (澜沧江) to reach the Nujiang River (怒江) region. This migration gradually led to the establishment of Peide Village. Originally inhabited by the Pumi people, the village later saw the arrival of the Lisu people, whose migration caused some cultural differences and conflicts between the two groups. Over time, these differences led to a conflict that resulted in the Lisu’s victory, forcing the Pumi people to migrate to higher mountain areas. Eventually, the Lisu people began to build their homes in Peide Village, which gradually developed into the settlement we see today.

Geographical Layout of Peide Village

Peide Village sits on uneven terrain, with the south higher than the north and the east higher than the west. The village is built along the slopes, with traditional wooden houses forming a north-south strip. The village’s layout, particularly the street and alleyway configuration, developed organically over time, especially during the Ming and Qing Dynasties.

The main street, which runs north to south, is the lifeline of the village. It is about 2.5 to 3 meters wide, with narrower alleys on either side ranging from 1.5 to 2.5 meters in width. These alleys are paved with crushed stone and bordered by cactus hedges, creating a unique street landscape. This distinct street structure, designed for daily life and activities, remains a key feature of Peide Village.

Traditional Wooden Houses

The traditional wooden houses, known as "wooden frame houses" (木楞房), are a prominent feature of the Lisu architectural style in western Yunnan. These houses are designed to suit the migration habits of the Lisu people, making use of locally available materials. The houses have a natural cooling and heating effect: during the day, the wooden materials absorb heat, which is then released at night to keep the room warm. In the summer, the wood also absorbs moisture from the humid air, releasing it during the hotter daytime hours, which helps to lower the room temperature.

Fire Grass Weaving Technique

For generations, the Lisu people of Peide Village have been skilled in the ancient technique of weaving with "fire grass" (火草), a plant from the Asteraceae family. This grass provides rich material for their textiles. Each year, just before the Torch Festival (火把节), Lisu women harvest the fire grass, which is a key part of their traditional textile production. The process involves peeling the leaves to remove the cotton-like fuzz, then separating the fibers to spin into thread, which is later woven into fabric.

This intricate weaving technique was included in China’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2014, recognizing its cultural importance.

Tourist Attractions and Specialties

Near Peide Village, you can find famous tourist spots such as Lugu Lake, Lige Village, Lugu Lake Lige Island, Mosuo Home, and Liwubi Island. Local specialties include Blown Liver (吹肝), Lugu Lake Wine (泸沽湖清酒), Miao Family Pleated Skirt (苗家百褶裙), Ninglang Black Sheep (宁蒗黑绵羊), and Buckwheat Cakes (苦荞粑粑).

Traditional Culture and Festivals

Peide Village is home to various traditional festivals that are celebrated throughout the year, marking important cultural events for the Lisu people. Some of the most notable festivals include:

• Torch Festival (火把节): Held around the 24th day of the 6th lunar month, this festival is one of the most significant events for the Lisu people. It celebrates the harvest and features traditional dances, songs, and the lighting of large torches, which symbolize driving away evil spirits.

• “Kuo Shi Festival” (阔时节): This festival is celebrated between the 5th day of the 12th lunar month and the 10th day of the first lunar month, marking the Lisu New Year. During this period, villagers prepare various traditional foods, such as sticky rice cakes (糯米粑), and brew their own strong rice wine to offer blessings for a prosperous new year.

• Other Festivals: Peide Village also celebrates the New Crop Festival (尝新节), Tower Festival (祭塔节), and other local holidays, where the community comes together to celebrate and share in traditional foods, dances, and rituals. These festivals offer a lively and colorful way to experience the customs and culture of the Lisu people.

During these festive times, the villagers perform traditional dances such as the “Chicken Eating Dance”, “Monkey Scratching Dance”, and the “Bird King Dance”, which mimic animal behaviors, as well as labor-themed dances like the “Production Dance” and “Autumn Harvest Dance”.

Peide Village, as a traditional settlement of the Lisu ethnic group, preserves many unique traditional festivals and cultural activities:

• Kuoshe Festival: One of the most important traditional festivals of the Lisu people, usually held from the fifth day of the twelfth lunar month to the tenth day of the first lunar month of the following year. During the festival, villagers make pounded rice cakes, glutinous rice cakes, flavored cured meats, and brew fragrant water wine to pray for a bountiful harvest. Villagers also perform dances that imitate animal behaviors, such as the "Chicken Eating Dance," "Monkey Lice-Scratching Dance," and "Bird King Dance," or dances that depict productive labor like the "Production Dance" and "Autumn Harvest Dance."
• New Tasting Festival: Usually held in the autumn, villagers taste newly harvested crops to express their gratitude for the harvest.
• Dragon Boat Festival: A traditional Chinese festival celebrated by the Lisu residents of Peide Village. During the festival, villagers hold various celebratory activities, such as making zongzi (rice dumplings) and dragon boat racing.
• Pagoda Worship Festival: Usually held in the spring, villagers conduct sacrificial activities to pray for favorable weather and a good harvest.
• Double Ninth Festival: A traditional Chinese festival and also an important festival in Peide Village. During the festival, villagers hold activities to respect the elderly, expressing their respect and care for the older generation.
• Torch Festival: A traditional festival of the Yi ethnic group, also celebrated by the Yi residents of Peide Village. During the festival, villagers light torches, symbolizing light and hope.

Peide Village, with its unique geographical location, rich natural scenery, and profound ethnic culture, has become an ideal destination for tourists to experience the natural beauty and ethnic charm of Lijiang.