Yuxi (Chinese: 玉溪) is a prefecture-level city in the Yunnan province of the People’s Republic of China. The administrative center of Yuxi is Hongta District. Yuxi is approximately 90 kilometres south of Kunming.Yuxi is located in the center of Yunnan province, about 90 kilometres (56 mi) south of Kunming, the provincial capital. Like much of the central and eastern parts of the province, it is part of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.The area is 15,285 km2 (5,902 sq mi) and the population is approximately 2.5 million. Near Yuxi city is Fuxian Lake, the second-deepest freshwater lake in China, where there have been discovered ancient fossils that are now in the possession of the Yuxi museum.
The Highlights of Bronze Culture
In 1972, the state authority on cultural relics carried out an excavation to Lijiashan.
At Lijiashan Mountain by the Xingyun Lake, some 87 ancient tombs dated back to Spring and Autumn Period or the Western Han Dynasty were excavated. Over 4,000 pieces of bronze, jade, and stone relics of rich content, fine craftsmanship and striking ethnic feature were unearthed, from which the developing phases of the culture of Central Yunnan can be induced and deduced. Such a large number of relics show a striking ethnic feature and the close relationship between Yunnan and Central China. The world famous “Cattle-Tiger Bronze Table” is the representative masterpiece of Lijiashan Bronze Culture, which displays a relatively high level in form, design and cast skill, being one of the national treasures of bronze relics.
The Cradle of Ancient Yunnan Civilization
Located in Jiangchuan County of Yunnan, Lijiashan Bronze Wares Museum is the first bronze wares museum in China. It mainly collects the bronze wares over 10,000 pieces between the Warring States Period and the Han Dynasty unearthed in the Lijiashan Ancient Graveyard in Jiangchuan. There are tools of agricultural production, utensils for daily life tools, weapons and musical instruments, etc. Among them thousands of historical and cultural exquisite articles including Bronze Ox and Tiger Altar and Cowries Vessel can be rated as “the cultural flower in the south of Yunnan, the rare treasure in the world”.
Xinping county, was the territory of Dian Kingdom during the pre-Qin dynasty period, and in Han dynasty, Zheni people inhabited here. During the period of the three kingdoms, it was under the jurisdiction of Jianning prefecture, Yizhou state. In Sui dynasty, it was subordinate to Nanning state, and in Tang dynasty, it was the territory of Nanzhao Kingdom and subordinated to Tonghai prefecture. In Song dynasty, Malongdian was set here, which was the territory of Zhee state, it was not until Yuan dynasty, Zhee state was reset as county, and Malongdian was reset as a township under the jurisdiction of the county. In Ming dynasty, Xinping county was set, and then in 1949, the people’s government of Xinping county was established. At last, in 1980, the state council allowed to set Xinping Yi and Dai Autonomous county.
The entertainment facilities of Xinping county are impeccable. You can find teahouses everywhere, local people always spend their leisure afternoon in these teahouses. KTV is also one of the best choices when you want to spend a pleasant night. Bars and cafe are also nice.
Huitong Hotel KTV(惠通酒店KTV)
Address: in The Huitong hotel in Xinping county
Tel: 0877-7010930
Dayu KTV
Address: besides the Xinping police station
Tel: 13577735050
Jiulong KTV
Address: at the end of the Gasa Avenue
Tel: 13987753995
Huitong Hotel Café
Address: in The Huitong hotel in Xinping county
Tel: 0877-7010930
Sunshine Net Bar
Address: No.108 on the Pingshan Road
Tel: 0877-6109214
The Tumulus Group of the Eight Towers Platform
There are all kinds of tombs in the Tumulus Group from different historical periods: tombs of the Bronze Age, the Liang Tombs from the Eastern Han Dynasty to the Tang Dynasty, and the cremation tombs of the Ming and Qing Dynasty.
Cuan Bao Zi Stele
In the year 43 of Qianlong, the Stele was unearthed in Yang Qitian, which is 70 miles to the south of Qujing County (Nanning County) of Yunnan. The Cuan Bao Zi Stele and the later Cuan Long Yan Stele were call the Two Cuans. Cuan Family was a big family of a minority in the south China. The epigraph provides important historical materials for the research of the minority.
The Alliance Stele of the 37 Tribes
The names of the officials mentioned in the Stele such as Buxie, Liyueshuang, Dushuang, Yanben, Zanwei, can be found in the historical books concerning the history of the Nanzhao Kingdom like the Book of Minorities by Fanzhuo. You can find that the Dali Kingdom followed the Nanzhao Kingdom for its official.
Yi Culture
Festivals
Traditional festivals include the Torch and Chahua festivals. Among them, the Torch Festival is the grandest traditional festival, held on the 24th day of the lunar month of June. It is held to celebrate the victory of a rebellion against a tyrannical landlord. It lasts for three days, where families assemble together and hold rich and colourful activities. Wearing the traditional Yi clothes, they enjoy themselves with wrestling, horse racing, bull fighting, tug-of-wars and so on. When night comes, large bonfires are lit, with people sitting around, singing and dancing for the whole night.
Chahua festival is another characteristic festival which is held to commemorate the hero, Mi Yinu, who helped the Yi people overcome the tyrannical ruler. When the Maying flowers blossom, people will wear them on their hairs or present them to each other and sing to their heart’s content to celebrate their happy life.
Other festivals such as Saichuan festival (a festival during which people dress in beautiful clothes and enter into fashion competitions), and Shiyue Nian (the traditional spring festival for the Yi ethnic group held on October) are also well worth participating in.
Religion
Various beliefs are treasured, such as the belief of the spirit, the worship of their ancestors, and the adoration of nature, along with the cherishing of Catholicism, Christianity, and Buddhism. Amongst all these beliefs, the power of the spirit is regarded as the most magical one. Some heirlooms left to the Yi people by their ancestors are endowed with magic that can bring good will to their owners. Therefore, these highly valued possessions are carefully kept and passed down through generations.
Legend
Most Yi believe they have the same ancestor(Axpu Ddutmu or Axpu Jjutmu). It is said that Apu Dumu married three wives and had six sons: each of the wives bore two sons. In the legend, the oldest two sons leading their tribes conquered other aborigines of Yunnan and began to reside in most territory of Yunnan. The youngest two sons led their tribes eastwards and were defeated by Han, before finally making western Guizhou their home and creating the largest quantity of Yi script documents. The other two sons led their tribes across the Jinsha River and dwelled in Liangshan. This group had close intermarriage with the local
Dai Culture
Festivals
Their important festivals are the Water-splashing Festival, the Door-closing Festival and the Door-opening Festival, all of which are related to Buddhism. The Water-splashing Festival is the New Year of the Dai ethnic minority. On the 24th to 26th day of the sixth month of the Dai calendar, people engage in traditional activities such as water-splashing and dragon-boating, hoping to pacify evil spirits and ensure a good harvest in the coming year.
The Door-closing and Door-opening Festivals are the two longest and grandest periods–one in mid-September and the other in mid-June. People worship Buddha by sacrificing food, flowers, sutra, clothes and other wealth. They also take advantage of the holidays to preach Buddhist teachings and have a good time.
The Huajie Festival (Flower Street Festival) is held on the seventh day of the first lunar month to say farewell to the past year and to greet the new one. On that morning, men and women, old and young, wear flowery new clothes and bathe in the hot spring. Unmarried young people also sing to each other in an attempt to find their future better half.
Language
Their language belongs to the Zhuang-Dai branch of the Zhuang-Dong group of Sino-Tibetan languages. The written language was derived from Devanagari and differs from region to region
Arts
They are quite good at singing and dancing. Their achievements in music are well-known among all the ethnic groups. Their folk and traditional musical instruments include the elephant-foot drum, bronze gong, clarinet, and hulusi.
Xishuangbanna is the home of the peacock, which the Dai people revere as a symbol of good fortune, happiness, beauty and kindness. Thus the Peacock Dance is their most popular folk dance. Performers in clothes with peacock patterns imitate peacocks with lively, flexible and graceful movements in a dance that is a popular part of the Water-splashing Festival.
The Elephant-foot drum dance is another well known dance for men. This unique instrument is made of carved mango or ceiba trunk covered with cowhide, and looks just like an elephant foot. The drum can be long, medium-sized, or short. The dance done with a long drum appears very graceful, with the medium-sized one, it is vigorous with broad, sweeping movements; and with the short one, flexible and bright.
Ancient City under Fuxian Lake
One day, Geng Wei, a specialized diver, found a strange phenomenon under the lake. He discovered many stone materials, including flagstones and stone strips with thick moss above them, could be seen.
Geng Wei believed the stones might be from a remote time. However, why were they underwater? Where did they come from? With these questions, Geng remember a mystical legend about the lake . Local people often said residents could see a city-like silhouette under the lake from the nearby mountains on a fine, calm day.
Was it the ancient city mentioned in the legend? In order to explore this riddle, Geng dove into the waters some 38 times to carry on surveys. He finally wrote a report to notify related official departments and experts in Yunnan Province of his findings.
Archaeology under the Lake
To unveil the mystery, a Chinese submarine archaeology team stationed in Fuxian Lake also became involved. Members had discovered lots of blocks scattered on the lake bottom. With the advanced use of detectors, they saw stones that formed a wall seen on a sonar display along with various flagstones. High stairs appeared in front of them. Flagstones covered with moss seemed to reveal an ancient sunken city.
The team members found the scope of the site under Fuxian Lake was extremely big, and the traces of construction were everywhere. After several days of observation and analyses, experts estimated the scope of the area is between 2.4 square kilometers to 2.7 square kilometers.
Where is it from
Some experts speculate the site might be the ancient city of Yuyuan, which disappeared mysteriously many hundreds of years ago.
Han Shu (a classic Chinese historical writing covering the history of the Western Han Dynasty, 206 BCE-9 CE), once recorded that Yuyuan City was north of Fuxian Lake.
Was the site under the lake the city recorded in Han Shu? To determine this point, the researchers first tried to determine whether the site’s age tallied with history. They needed to find items that correlated with human life. After a half-month’s survey, earthenware was spotted by inspection team members.
The experts believed that, from this earthenware, the site was possibly from the Warring States to the Eastern Han Dynasty. However, in order to find a more exact time, they had to find a subject that could be used for carbon 14 testing.
A City of Han Dynasty
After failing many times, team members finally found some shells attached to blocks. Through a test for carbon 14, an accurate time was discovered-the item was 1750 years old. This result proved the site was sunk during the Han period.
However in the Tang Dynasty, there were still records about Yuyuan City remaining on land. Therefore, the lost city is not Yuyuan.
Another Guess
Some experts believe that, from the structure of the under-lake construction, it is extremely similar to the construction styles of the ancient Dian Country, a country with a high level of civilization. After BC 86, it mysteriously disappeared.
But other experts are suspicious, saying it is too early to make this conclusion because archaeology is a long and complex process. Solving the riddle of the old city requires longer-term archaeological excavation and careful research.
Clear, blue, swimmable water – it sounds more like a fantasy than a description of a modern Chinese lake. But Fuxian Lake (抚仙湖) remains one of the country’s best-preserved lakes, due to its remarkable depth and relative obscurity. Yunnan’s deepest and clearest lake is only a couple of hours from Kunming. Fuxian’s cleanness makes it unique; unlike Dianchi or Erhai, two of Yunnan’s most famous and polluted lakes, Fuxian has boating, beaching and even swimming. These activities, combined with the lake’s proximity to Kunming, make it good place for a long day-trip or enjoyable weekend stay.
The lake sits about 60 miles to Kunming’s southeast, just off the tip of the city’s own immense Dianchi lake. Chengjiang (澄江) is the transport hub for the area, a sleepy town on the north end of the lake. Buses from Kunming arrive here, after which visitors must transfer to local buses or taxis to reach the primary tourist towns.
The two most popular towns around the lake are Luchong (禄充) and the Sunshine Coast (阳光海岸). Both have been extensively developed into Chinese-style resorts, and have the typical trappings – KTVs and bustling restaurants full of tour groups. However, the Sunshine Coast still beguiles with its stretch of sandy beach. The imported sand may not belong at Fuxian, but swimming in the clear, calm lake water is still a rare pleasure in Yunnan.
For visitors seeking peace and quiet, Gushan island, off the Sunshine Coast, makes for a perfect retreat. Gushan is reached from the beach, either by hiring a paddle ferry or renting a kayak or pedal boat. Visitors must pay 20 RMB to enter the island, but can spend the day wandering the forested paths or swimming off the rocks. Unlike the busy Sunshine Coast, the island’s sounds are not man-made, making it a rare retreat from the noise of modern China – and earning it the nickname ‘Solitude Hill.’ At the top of the island, a temple overlooks Fuxian’s shimmering blue waters; gingkos and pines shade the walkways, but there are clear views toward the shoreline and the distant mountains beyond.
For visitors who wish to stay on Gushan, the Ancient Dian Kingdom Culture Garden is the only lodging option. Although the rooms are relatively spartan and a bit rustic, the hotel has a restaurant and a distinctly relaxing lack of visitors. The echoes of the Sunshine Coast KTV seem to rarely reach the island, which instead has a soundtrack of lapping waves and birdcalls.
The culture around Fuxian Lake (Fuxianhu) in Yuxi, Yunnan Province, is a rich blend of historical heritage, ecological significance, and local traditions. Here’s an overview of the cultural aspects associated with this region:
1. Historical and Archaeological Significance
- Chengjiang Fossil Site: Located on the north bank of Fuxian Lake, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is renowned for its exceptionally preserved fossils from the early Cambrian period (over 500 million years ago). It provides critical insights into the “explosion of life” during that era and is often called a “world-class treasure trove of fossils” .
- Underwater Ruins: Folklore and limited research suggest the presence of ancient submerged structures, adding a layer of mystery to the lake’s history .
2. Ecological and Environmental Culture
- Biodiversity: The lake is home to unique species like the Fuxian golden-line barbel (a protected fish) and other endemic aquatic life, reflecting the region’s ecological importance .
- Conservation Efforts: As a national-level tourist resort and AAAA-rated scenic area, the lake’s culture emphasizes sustainable tourism and environmental protection, with initiatives like wetland parks (e.g., Moon Bay Wetland Park) to preserve its pristine waters.
3. Local Traditions and Livelihoods
- Fishing Culture: The lake has long supported local communities through fishing, with traditional methods like those at Mingxing Fish Cave, where fish are caught using ancient techniques .
- Agricultural Heritage: The fertile basin around the lake has fostered rice farming and other crops, contributing to the “land of fish and rice” reputation .
4. Tourism and Modern Development
- Resort Culture: The northern shore features high-end resorts (e.g., Hilton, Ramada) and attractions like Luchong Scenic Area, blending modern leisure with natural beauty .
- Festivals and Activities: Seasonal events, such as admiring redwood forests or flower seas at Fuhai Bay, highlight the lake’s scenic charm .
5. Myths and Legends
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The lake is steeped in local folklore, including tales of a “sunken city” and ancient civilizations, which add to its cultural mystique .
6. Cultural Integration
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The area’s culture is a mix of Han and ethnic minority influences, with Yuxi’s broader region reflecting Yunnan’s diverse ethnic tapestry .
Fuxian Lake’s culture is thus a dynamic interplay of natural wonder, historical depth, and contemporary tourism, making it a unique destination in Yunnan. For further details, you can explore resources like Baidu Baike’s comprehensive entry 1 or UNESCO’s documentation on the Chengjiang Fossil Site .
In 2013, the coverage rate of the farm book house was 100%. In the second intangible cultural heritage survey, the new census collated 10 projects such as the folk handicraft Plastic and the local snack “leek flower”, of which 8 were approved as the municipal protection projects.
The Cuan Bao Zi Stele in Qujing Qilin distract also has significant culture value. In the year 43 of Qianlong, the Stele was unearthed in Yang Qitian, which is 70 miles to the south of Qujing County (Nanning County) of Yunnan. The Cuan Bao Zi Stele and the later Cuan Long Yan Stele were call the Two Cuans. Cuan Family was a big family of a minority in the south China. The epigraph provides important historical materials for the research of the minority.
Qilin District is under the ministration of Wei County(味县) in Han Dynasty.
During the Three Kingdoms Period, till Tang Dynasty, Wei county is the government site.
At the year of 1913, Qujing county is set.
Until the year of 1997, the State Council permitted to set the Qilin District.
At year 1998, March 26, finally Qilin District is settled.
Chinese Name: 虎跳峡箭竹林
English Name: Bamboo Forest of Tiger Leaping Gorge
Wenshan city Located on China’s southern frontier, there is no easy access to Wenshan Zhuang-Miao Autonomous Prefecture. The prefectural seat is a clean and orderly town and the local inhabitants lead a peaceful, leisurely life. In the 1970s the Xichou Man tooth fossil was unearthed here, proof that it was inhabited more than 50,000 years ago.
Administrative division of this area in history initiated during the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD), when the emperor launched the exploitation of southwestern border area. Kingdoms set up by local ethnic minorities were conquered and replaced by counties and shires newly established by the court.
Due to a lack of arable land and remoteness, this is area that has never been densely populated. It is generally thought to have been originally inhabited by Miao peoples, who migrated into Wenshanzhou from what is now Guizhou province. During to the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD), kingdoms established by local ethnic groups were dismantled by invading forces and the area was assimilated.
The leaders and people of Wenshan have worked hard for 10 years to change that situation. As a result, the prefecture’s GDP increased from 1.75 billion yuan in 1992 to 8.7 billion yuan in 2002, and the per capita net income of its farmers almost quadrupled. More than 2.4 million people thus emerged from poverty and achieved subsistence level.
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Hongta District Culture in Yuxi
Yuxi (Chinese: 玉溪) is a prefecture-level city in the Yunnan province of the People’s Republic of China. The administrative center of Yuxi is Hongta District. Yuxi is approximately 90...
Xinping County History
Xinping county, was the territory of Dian Kingdom during the pre-Qin dynasty period, and in Han dynasty, Zheni people inhabited here. During the period of the three kingdoms, it...
Xinping County Entertainment
The entertainment facilities of Xinping county are impeccable. You can find teahouses everywhere, local people always spend their leisure afternoon in these teahouses. KTV is also one of the...
Entertainment in Qilin District
The Tumulus Group of the Eight Towers Platform There are all kinds of tombs in the Tumulus Group from different historical periods: tombs of the Bronze Age, the Liang...
Xinping County Culture
Yi Culture Festivals Traditional festivals include the Torch and Chahua festivals. Among them, the Torch Festival is the grandest traditional festival, held on the 24th day of the lunar month of...
History around Fuxianhu Lake in Yuxi
Ancient City under Fuxian Lake One day, Geng Wei, a specialized diver, found a strange phenomenon under the lake. He discovered many stone materials, including flagstones and stone strips...
Entertainment around Fuxianhu Lake in Yuxi
Clear, blue, swimmable water – it sounds more like a fantasy than a description of a modern Chinese lake. But Fuxian Lake (抚仙湖) remains one of the country’s best-preserved...
Culture around Fuxianhu Lake in Yuxi
The culture around Fuxian Lake (Fuxianhu) in Yuxi, Yunnan Province, is a rich blend of historical heritage, ecological significance, and local traditions. Here’s an overview of the cultural aspects associated with this...
Culture of Qilin District in Qujing
In 2013, the coverage rate of the farm book house was 100%. In the second intangible cultural heritage survey, the new census collated 10 projects such as the folk...
History of Qilin Distract in Qujing
Qilin District is under the ministration of Wei County(味县) in Han Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms Period, till Tang Dynasty, Wei county is the government site. At the year...
Bamboo Forest of Tiger Leaping Gorge
Chinese Name: 虎跳峡箭竹林 English Name: Bamboo Forest of Tiger Leaping Gorge...
Wenshan City History
Wenshan city Located on China’s southern frontier, there is no easy access to Wenshan Zhuang-Miao Autonomous Prefecture. The prefectural seat is a clean and orderly town and the local...
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