Shihe Village of Diannan Town in Jianchuan County, Dali

Plan your Dali Ethnic Villages Tour to Dali? Visit Shihe Village of Diannan Town in Jianchuan County, Dali which is one of the most fascinating ethnic villages in Dali. Explore the local folk ethnic culture including History, Food and Dining, Clothing, Customs and Traditions, Architecture, Festivals, Crafts, Religion, Language of local ethnic people in Shihe Village of Diannan Town in Jianchuan County, Dali.

Chinese Name:剑川县甸南镇狮河村
English Name: Shihe Village of Diannan Town in Jianchuan County, Dali

Basic Information

• Location: Shihé Village is located in Diannan Town, Jianchuan County, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is situated on the eastern shore of Jian Lake, approximately 10 kilometers from the county center, and is part of the southern region of the Jianchuan Basin.
• Administrative Classification: Shihé Village is classified as a town center area with an administrative code of 532931103205.

Historical Background

• Historical Evolution: Shihé Village has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century. In 1949, it was known as the seventh district of Diannan Town. Over the years, it underwent several administrative changes, eventually being established as Shihé Village under Diannan Town in 2000.
• Cultural Heritage: The village is deeply rooted in Bai ethnic culture and has been a center for traditional crafts, particularly wood carving, for generations.

Cultural Significance

• Wood Carving Tradition: Shihé Village is renowned as the "original village of wood carving." The village is home to a "wood carving street" lined with shops showcasing exquisite wood carvings, including traditional Bai-style doors, furniture, and decorative items. The wood carving technique in Shihé has been passed down through generations, with many villagers learning the craft from a young age.
• Folklore and Festivals: The village is also known for its vibrant folk culture, including traditional festivals and customs such as the Shibaoshan Song Festival and the Bai ethnic Qingguniang Festival.

Economic Development

• Wood Carving Industry: The wood carving industry is a major economic driver for Shihé Village. With over 7,000 wood carving craftsmen in the county, the industry generates an annual income of over 15 million yuan. Many villagers run their own wood carving workshops, and some have established marketing networks to sell their products both domestically and internationally.
• Tourism Integration: In recent years, Shihé Village has integrated its wood carving industry with tourism. The village has been transformed into a comprehensive tourism destination, offering visitors experiences such as wood carving workshops, cultural tours, and eco-tourism around Jian Lake.

Honors and Recognition

• Awards and Titles: Shihé Village has been recognized for its efforts in cultural preservation and economic development. In 2022, it was designated as a "model village" in Yunnan Province's rural revitalization "hundred-thousand-ten thousand" project and was listed as one of China's traditional villages.

Shihé Village is a unique destination that combines rich cultural heritage with modern economic development, making it a must-visit for those interested in traditional crafts and rural revitalization in Yunnan.

Shihe, a village of carpenters

The hometown of woodcarvings in China, the Shihe village 10 km from Jianchuan County of Dali is a must-go for travellers who like to see the amazing traditional wooden carvings.

Since ancient times, the ancestors (who were carpenters) of Shihe villagers mastered life skills and undertook business to fit up traditional architectures and make wood handicrafts.

As the wood handicraft production grows rapidly in Jianchuan County since China’s Opening-up and Reform in the late 1970s, craftsmen in Shihe Village don’t want to be outdone and get to business in their family-scale workshops.

The sculptors of Shihe village focus much on the exquisite workmanship of their works that could be categorized into Line Engraving, Low Relief Carving, High Relief Carving, Three-dimension Carving, Piercing Carving, Chasing Carving and so on. The best one has been designed and carved in 5 layers.

Most of the wood carvings are utilized as lattice windows/doors, screens, hanging screens/panels, archaized accessories and tourist souvenirs. The patterns are mainly human figures, flowers, carp, birds, lions, deer, tigers, elephants, phoenixes, dragons, Kylins, Chinese folk tales and even Chinese characters such as Fu (福，bliss), Lu (禄, fortune), Shou (寿, longevity), and Xi (禧, joy or wedding) etc.