Baisha Traditional Naxi Culture Center in Lijiang

Bai Sha Naxi Culture Park is located near Bai Sha Murals in Bai Sha Town, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province (云南省丽江市玉龙纳西族自治县白沙镇白沙壁画附近). It is one of the birthplaces of Naxi culture and an important part of the World Cultural Heritage site of Lijiang Ancient Town. This place was once the political, economic, and cultural center of the Naxi people and the cradle of the Mu Clan (木氏土司). Bai Sha Ancient Town has preserved many traditional Naxi buildings and cultural heritages, such as Bai Sha Murals and Bai Sha Fine Music (白沙壁画、白沙细乐), making it an ideal place for studying the history and culture of the Naxi people.

The Bai Sha Murals are the core component of the Bai Sha Naxi Culture Park. They were painted from the early Ming Dynasty to the early Qing Dynasty, spanning over 300 years. These murals integrate elements from Han Buddhism, Tibetan Buddhism, Taoism, and Dongba religion, showcasing a blend of diverse cultures. The content is rich and varied, including religious themes such as “The Buddha Preaching the Sutra” (《如来释经图》) and “The Universal Gate” (《普门品》), as well as scenes of natural landscapes and daily life. The murals depict vivid and accurate human figures, combining the bold style of Dongba painting with the strong color contrasts of Tibetan painting. They are meticulously composed, with rich colors, smooth lines, and a unique artistic style that makes them a rare treasure in Chinese mural history.

The park offers a variety of Dongba cultural experiences, such as Dongba papermaking and Naxi ancient music performances. Visitors can get up close and personal with the unique traditional culture of the Naxi people and explore the mysterious charm of the Dongba religion.

The architecture of Bai Sha Ancient Town is characterized by traditional Naxi-style buildings with white walls and black tiles, exuding an elegant and rustic charm. Visitors can also experience traditional Naxi handicrafts such as embroidery and tie-dye, appreciating the wisdom and creativity of the Naxi people.

The Bai Sha Murals are themed around religion and integrate elements from multiple religions. For example, in “The Buddha Preaching the Sutra” (《如来释经图》), Sakyamuni Buddha sits in the center of the painting, surrounded by over 100 deities from various religions, demonstrating the integration of Buddhism and Taoism. The murals also depict stories from Buddhist scriptures, such as “The Universal Gate” (《普门品》), showing people dancing, slaughtering pigs, carpentry, weaving, fishing, blacksmithing, and chopping wood. These scenes vividly reflect the daily life and production activities of the Naxi people at that time.

The murals are not limited to religious themes but also depict natural landscapes and daily life. They feature galloping horses, blooming lotus flowers, forests, fields, and birds, insects, and plants, showcasing the painters’ keen observation skills and positive attitude towards life. These elements not only have religious significance but also reflect the diversity of social life at that time.

The human figures in the murals are lifelike and accurately shaped, combining the bold style of Dongba painting with the strong color contrasts of Tibetan painting. For example, in the murals of the Great Precious Accumulation Palace (大宝积宫), the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is depicted with three faces and seven arms, in a graceful and lifelike posture.

The Bai Sha Murals integrate the artistic styles of Han, Tibetan, and Naxi cultures. They combine traditional Han painting techniques with the vibrant colors of Tibetan painting, while retaining the boldness and romance of Naxi painting. This blend of diverse cultures makes the Bai Sha Murals a unique treasure in Chinese mural history. The murals are meticulously composed, with rich colors, even lines, and a clean brushwork style. For example, the murals in the Great Precious Accumulation Palace (大宝积宫) adopt the Dongba painting style, with strong color contrasts, smooth lines, and vivid human figures.

The creation of the Bai Sha Murals spanned over 300 years from the early Ming Dynasty to the early Qing Dynasty, with the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties being their peak period. The murals were painted by a team of Han painters led by Ma Xiaoxian, Tibetan painters such as Gucang Guchang and his disciples, Naxi Dongba painters and artists, and Taoist priest Zhang Xianshi.

The murals are mainly housed in ancient buildings such as the Great Precious Accumulation Palace (大宝积宫), Glazed Tile Hall (琉璃殿), and Great Stability Pavilion (大定阁). These buildings are products of the large-scale construction projects initiated by the Mu Clan during the Ming Dynasty and hold great historical and cultural value. After a four-year restoration effort, the Bai Sha Mural Museum reopened to the public in 2024.

Bai Sha Naxi Culture Park is an excellent destination for those interested in exploring Naxi culture, experiencing traditional handicrafts, and appreciating historical relics.