Yule Village of Lashi Town in Yulong County, Lijiang

Yule Village (余乐村) is located in the western part of Lashi Township (拉市乡), Yulong Naxi Autonomous County (玉龙纳西族自治县), Lijiang City (丽江市), Yunnan Province (云南省). It belongs to Jiyu Village Committee (吉余村委会) and is a part of the plain area. The village is only 2 kilometers away from Jiyu Village Committee and 7 kilometers away from Lashi Township, with relatively convenient transportation. There are transportation hubs such as airports and railway stations nearby. After arriving in Lijiang, tourists can reach Yule Village by renting a car or taking a rural bus.

Ethnic Composition

The village is mainly inhabited by the hardworking and intelligent Naxi people (纳西族). They have preserved unique ethnic culture and traditions, and are hospitable, adding a strong ethnic flavor to the ancient village.

 Must-See Attractions

Ancient Architecture

• Naxi Traditional Houses (纳西民居): The village's architecture features typical Naxi traditional houses, all built with wooden structures. The houses have an ancient and simple appearance, with exquisite craftsmanship displayed in the eaves and brackets. This wooden structure makes the houses warm in winter and cool in summer, providing an excellent living experience. Walking through the village and among the houses, you can closely admire the exquisite wood carvings on the wooden pillars and beams, and feel the charm of Naxi traditional architectural art.
• Kuilin Temple (奎林寺): Originally built during the reign of Emperor Yongzheng, Kuilin Temple is a religious building that integrates Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism. Over the centuries, it has undergone several reconstructions and renovations, and still stands today. The temple's architecture is magnificent, with high eaves and interlaced brackets. The wood carvings, brick carvings, and stone carvings are truly amazing, with lifelike patterns of figures, flowers, and mythical animals. Today, Kuilin Temple is not only a place for religious activities but also the core venue for folk cultural exchanges in the village. Visitors can feel the strong religious atmosphere and cultural connotations here.

Historical Relics

• Ancient Road (古道): The ancient road in the village has a long history. The bluestone slabs have been polished smooth and mottled by time. Walking on it, you can almost hear the clop-clop of horses from the ancient Tea Horse Road, imagine the bustling scenes of the horse caravans in the past, and feel the village's former importance as a transportation hub.
• Ancient Tree (参天古树): There is an ancient tree in the village with an unknown age. Its trunk is so thick that it takes several people to encircle it. The branches twist like dragons, and the leaves provide shade. This ancient tree is a witness to the history of Yule Village. During leisure time, villagers often gather under the tree to chat and tell stories about the village's history. Visitors can also feel the tranquility and peacefulness of the ancient village here.

Notable Figures

• Yang Shangzhi's Deeds (杨尚志事迹展示): The activity center of Yule Natural Village displays photos and brief introductions to the revolutionary deeds of Yang Shangzhi, one of the early leaders of the Lijiang revolutionary movement. Yang Shangzhi led many young people to join the revolution, and his heroic deeds have inspired generations of villagers in Yule. Visitors can come here to learn about Yang Shangzhi's revolutionary journey and feel the "red cultural gene" of Yule Village.
• Yang Feng's Contributions (杨凤的贡献介绍): Yang Feng, one of the founders of animal nutrition in China, was also born in Yule Village. When the new China was founded, he gave up the comfortable conditions in the United States and resolutely returned to the country to devote himself to the construction. At the activity center or relevant introduction places, visitors can learn in detail about the great contributions made by Professor Yang Feng in the fields of agricultural education and animal nutrition, and appreciate the brilliant history of Yule Village in producing outstanding talents.

Unique Experiences

Traditional Skills

• Naxi Dongba Papermaking Experience (纳西族东巴造纸体验): The Naxi Dongba papermaking technique is unique. It mainly uses the local endemic Daphne genus plant, Daphne lichiangensis (丽江荛花), as the raw material. The process includes many steps such as collecting raw materials, drying, soaking, boiling, washing, pounding, re-pounding, pouring paper, sticking paper, and drying paper. Visitors can participate in the Dongba papermaking process, make their own Dongba paper, feel the charm of this ancient skill, and take the finished products as unique souvenirs.
• Traditional Woodcarving Observation and Learning (传统木雕观摩学习): The Naxi woodcarving craftsmanship is exquisite and widely used in residential buildings and furniture decorations. Visitors can visit local woodcarving artists, watch them carve on the spot, learn woodcarving skills, and appreciate the exquisite woodcarving works. If interested, you can also try to carve some simple woodcarving items by yourself.

Customs and Festivals

• Sky Worship Festival (祭天活动): Sky worship is an important traditional custom of the Naxi people. The grand sky worship in January and the smaller one in July are especially solemn. If you visit during the Middle Yuan Festival on July 15th of the lunar calendar, you can participate in the sky worship activity that was resumed in Yule Village after a 72-year interruption. At the event site, under the auspices of the Dongba priest, the ceremony is solemn and solemn. Visitors can join the villagers in praying to the gods of heaven and earth and ancestors for blessings, feel the Naxi people's reverence for nature and respect for ancestors, and there are also wonderful performances of Naxi ancient music during the event.
• Daily Customs Experience (日常习俗体验): Go deep into the villagers' homes to experience the daily customs of the Naxi people, such as tasting traditional Naxi food, watching the making process of traditional Naxi costumes, and participating in the hearth culture activities of Naxi families. Sit around the hearth with the villagers, listen to them tell ancient legends and stories.

Tourism Resources

Natural Scenery

• Rural Landscape (田园风光): The surrounding rural areas of Yule Village are vast and the scenery varies with the seasons. In spring, the rape flowers are bright yellow; in summer, the crops are lush green; in autumn, the golden wheat waves ripple with the wind; in winter, although the countryside is slightly desolate, it has a unique tranquility. Visitors can walk along the country paths, enjoy the rural landscape, and feel the breath of nature.
• Peach Blossom Scenery (桃林景观): Lashi is known as the backyard garden of Lijiang. Yule Village has a large area of peach orchards. Every spring, when the peach blossoms bloom, the pink flowers cover the mountains and fields, like a dream and illusion, as if you were in a fairyland. In autumn, the peach orchards are full of fruits. Visitors can experience the fun of picking Lashi snow peaches and taste the sweet and juicy peaches.

Cultural Resources

• Folk Cultural Activities (民俗文化活动): In addition to the sky worship festival, Kuilin Temple also regularly holds various folk cultural exchange activities, such as Naxi song and dance performances and traditional handicraft displays. Visitors can participate in them to gain a deeper understanding of the folk culture of the Naxi people.
• Donation Ceremony (捐赠仪式): If you happen to be in Yule Village during the "Love Connects Thousands of Miles" donation ceremony, you can feel the village's emphasis on education and spirit of unity and mutual assistance on site. The ceremony is held by Yunnan Qicheng Agricultural Technology Development Co., Ltd. (Lijiang Branch) (云南启成农业科技开发有限公司（丽江分公司）) to distribute scholarships and慰问金 to families in Yule Natural Village who have children admitted to universities and those who have joined the army.

Travel Tips

Transportation Guide

Starting from Lijiang city center, you can choose to rent a car. The drive is short and the scenery along the way is beautiful. Alternatively, you can take a rural bus to Lashi Township in the city and get off at Jiyu Village Committee. Then, you can walk or transfer to local transportation to Yule Village.

Accommodation Suggestions

You can choose to stay in villagers' homes to experience the authentic Naxi life and feel their hospitality. Alternatively, you can stay in hotels or guesthouses near Lashi Township. The accommodation conditions are relatively better and the facilities are more complete.

Food Recommendations

Taste the characteristic Naxi food, such as chicken bean jelly (鸡豆凉粉). The texture