Tao Yinggui – Bulang “Niutuiqin” Musical Instrument Maker in Shuangjiang County, Lincang
临沧市双江县大文乡布朗族牛腿琴制作艺人 – 陶应贵
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3289.html
Luo Mingxiang – Potetry Maker in Linxiang District, Lincang
临沧市临翔区凤翔镇制陶艺人 – 罗明香
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3290.html
Li Congmei – Limi Ethnic Cosutme-Maker in Yongde County, Lincang
临沧市永德县乌木龙乡彝族俐米人服饰制作艺人 – 李从妹
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3291.html
Yang Yongfu – Inheritor of Dai Mascot White Elephant-making Craft in Gengma County, Lincang
临沧市耿马县勐永镇傣族吉祥物白象扎制传承人 – 杨永富
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3293.html
Zhang Yuanwen – Printmaker in Longyang District, Baoshan
保山市隆阳区板桥镇版画雕刻艺人 – 张元文
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3275.html
Xingjiao Temple (兴教寺）
Xingjiao Temple was built in Ming Dynasty with a history of 600 years, which is the most typical and representative Buddhist Azhali Temple in largest scale. The fresco preserved in the temple is an artistic treasure of ancient Bai people in southwest China. It not only absorbed the painting style in central plains of China but also has strong local ethnic features. Walking inside the Xinjiao Temple, travelers must take their breath away in astonishment for the amazing architectural art in Ming Dynasty. Xingjiao Temple is 18 meters from north to south, 14.5 meters from west to east and 19 meters in height. Experiencing several earthquakes during 600 years, it still stands majestically without deformation.
How to get to Xingjiao Temple?
We can take a shuttle bus from Jianchuan County to Shaxi Old Town, then change a local mini-bus to Xingjiao Temple
More Information
Unique in the fact that iconography from each the major Asian faiths are all featured here, this is also one of the best preserved temples in the whole country. The courtyard buildings were commandeered and used as a local government headquarters during the twentieth century’s Cultural Revolution. Ironically, this saved it from the widespread destruction that befell many other traditional places of worship. The painstaking restoration process of the SRP (Shaxi Rehabilitation Project) has ensured that this site became a must see site on the Tea Horse Tourist Trail. Valuable Chinese medicine trees such as Delavay’s Magnolia and the Chinese Privet thrive in shaded courtyards. Cleansed of the soot that actually protected them during more turbulent times, original murals can still be seen on the walls of the Hall of the Heavenly King, and the intricately interlocking beams of the interior ceilings are breath taking in their complexity. At the rear, in the temple building itself, five of the most beautiful golden Buddhas sit serenely beneath ornately carved auras. These are some of the most aesthetically pleasing deities that you will see in any Chinese temple today.
The lower courtyards currently hold displays of the SRP’s (Shaxi Rehabilitation Project) long term action plans for the valley, along with the highly detailed botanical illustrations of acclaimed English artist Caroline Frances-King, showing local medicinal herbs in glorious full color.
What to See
Directly opposite the temple is an equally impressive open air theater stage, with an exquisite dragon and phoenix ceiling mural. On the very top floor is a shrine to the ‘Kuixing’ deity, similar but slightly less impressive than the portrayal in the Duan Village Temple Theater. The building is also home to a tiny Exhibition of Tea and Horese Caravan Road, which is really still a work in progress, but already has some impressive examples of local woodcarving skills.
Fresco Paintings
There are 20 more fresco paintings on the hall of the Xingjiao Temple, painted by Bai ethnic painter Zhangbao. Among them, one fresco painting named “Taiziyouyuantu” depicted the life of Nanzhao Kingdom and Dali Kingdom vividly. It is an important evidence to to research Nanzhao Kingdom and Dali Kingdom.
Another painting”Nanwuxiangmo Tathagata” (南无降魔释迦如来会) feminized Sakyamuni, some experts said “it is a rare fresco painting, Sakyamuni in this painting is a girl, maybe in the whole Buddhism, we can only find this one in Shaxi.” It echoes the stone engraving “Ayangbai” which is a symbol of maternal worship.
This temple is waiting for you directly in the center of Shaxi Old Town. It is the only Buddhist temple of Bai People built in the Ming Dynasty. At the present it functions as a museum. An exhibition explains how the SRP (Shaxi Rehabilitation Project) have contributed to the renewal of Shaxi.
Nearby Attraction
Shaxi Ancient Town (沙溪古镇)
Shaxi Ancient Town is a pleasant surprise between Dali and Lijiang. Shaxi Ancient Town is a famous attraction once played an important role as a bustling trade point on the Tea Horse Caravan Road. With the decline of the ancient Tea Horse Road, the town seems to have been forgotten. But this helps retain the original appearance of the small town. Many of the historical sites have been well preserved including Sifang Street, Xingjiao Temple, Yuxi Bridge and Ancient Opera Stage. Compared with other commercialized ancient towns in China, the undeveloped Shaxi Ancient Town is a better place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the metropolis and experience the quaint lives of local Bai People.
Useful Travel Tips
· No smoking in the temple.
· Respect the local customs, do not take photos in the temple.
· For your personal security, do not walk to the area which is not open to the visitors.
· If you have any problem please ask help for related staff.
Ding Guocong – Bamboo Ware Craftsman in Yiliang County, Zhaotong
昭通市彝良县柳溪乡竹器艺人 – 国定聪
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3277.html
Zhang Hai – Stone Carving Craftsman in Zhenxiong County, Zhaotong
昭通市镇雄县乌峰镇石雕艺人 -张海
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3278.html
Aqi. Duzhi – Inheritor of Mosuo Textile Craft in Ninglang County, Lijiang
丽江市宁蒗县永宁乡摩梭人纺织技艺传承人 – 阿其•独芝
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3279.html
Zhang Xinfeng – Inheritor of Copper Wares-making Skill in Yongsheng County, Lijiang
丽江市永胜县金官镇铜器制作技艺传承人 – 张心凤
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3280.html
Tan Zhiping is from Jin Guan Village, San Chuan Town, Yong Sheng County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province (丽江市永胜县三川镇金官村). As the fourth-generation inheritor of the “Tan Family Silversmith” (谭记银匠) and a representative inheritor of the Yunnan Provincial Intangible Cultural Heritage “Silver-based Cloisonné” (银胎掐丝珐琅) craftsmanship, Tan Zhiping plays a pivotal role in the inheritance of this traditional craft. In June 2021, the “Silver-based Cloisonné Craftsmanship (Yong Sheng Enamel Silverware Craftsmanship)” (银胎掐丝珐琅器制作技艺（永胜珐琅银器制作技艺）) was listed in the fifth batch of national intangible cultural heritage representative projects, and Tan Zhiping is a key figure in its transmission.
Growing up in a family of silversmiths, Tan Zhiping was immersed in the atmosphere of silverware making from a young age. At the age of 14, he began to learn the craft of enamel silverware from his grandfather Tan Chongjin (谭崇径), uncle Tan Jicheng (谭继成), and father Tan Jikang (谭继康). Over the years, through his unwavering dedication and relentless pursuit of traditional craftsmanship, he has honed his skills to perfection.
Innovation and Legacy
Building on the foundation of traditional craftsmanship, Tan Zhiping has actively engaged in innovation. He has successfully developed over 20 unique new products, including multi-shaped hundred-family locks, silver Buddhas, dragon-head pots, phoenix-head pots, peony flower pots, and new-style wine sets. His works are not only highly praised in the domestic market, with sales in cities like Guangzhou and Shanghai, but also have been exported to countries such as Myanmar and India.
The enamel silverware craftsmanship of Yong Sheng has a long history. Introduced to Yong Sheng County during the Yuan Dynasty, it has integrated cultural elements of Bai, Naxi, Tibetan, Yi, and other ethnic groups, giving it a distinct regional character. This craft combines silverware making and cloisonné techniques, employing traditional methods such as hammering, striking, riveting, plating, forging, chiseling, and inlaying. The main processes include melting silver, casting, pressing, shaping, welding, drawing wires, filigree, enameling, firing, cleaning, inspection, and packaging. Among them, filigree, enamel application, and firing are the core and highly challenging techniques. The finished cloisonné silverware is elegant in shape, following the tradition of “every picture has a meaning, and every meaning is auspicious,” with strong three-dimensionality, vibrant colors, and exquisite forms. It is a popular local specialty in Yunnan, often used for weddings, funerals, gifts, and for collection and appreciation. Tan Zhiping has mastered the essence of this craft, perfectly integrating silver filigree and cloisonné enamel techniques to showcase its high artistic value and profound cultural significance.
Tan Zhiping has received numerous honors for his exceptional skills and contributions. He has been awarded the titles of Yunnan Skill Master and Yunnan Metal Craftsman. His works have repeatedly won awards in national and provincial competitions. For example, his “Eight Treasures Cloisonné Tea Set” won the Gold Award at the Sixth Yunnan Provincial Arts and Crafts “Work Beauty Cup.” He also received the “Outstanding Inheritor Display Award” at the Third China Intangible Cultural Heritage Expo.
Passing on the Craft
Aware of the importance of inheritance, Tan Zhiping has actively engaged in training the next generation of craftsmen through school-enterprise cooperation and teaching. He is not only an outstanding craftsman but also a dedicated guardian and promoter of intangible cultural heritage. Thanks to his efforts, the traditional craft of Yong Sheng enamel silverware has been revitalized in modern society, shining with new vitality and vigor.
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3281.html
Dao Ganxiang – Inheritor of Dai Traditional Culture in Luxi City, Dehong
德宏州潞西市遮放镇傣族传统文化传承人 – 刀干相
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3241.html
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Xingjiao Temple in Shaxi Old Town, Dali
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Tan Zhiping – Inheritor of Enamelled Silverware-making Craft in Yongsheng County, Lijiang
Tan Zhiping is from Jin Guan Village, San Chuan Town, Yong Sheng County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province (丽江市永胜县三川镇金官村). As the fourth-generation inheritor of the “Tan Family Silversmith” (谭记银匠) and...
Dao Ganxiang – Inheritor of Dai Traditional Culture in Luxi City, Dehong
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