People sometimes imagine to step into a mysterious land full of beautiful legend and experience the culture difference. People sometimes want to escape from the hustle and bustle city life to indulge in the tranquil and harmonious area. After exploring Lugu Lake, I was shocked by its fantastic landscape and the trip to Lugu Lake really released my soul from city life.
Located in the North West Yunnan plateau in the center of Ninglang Yi Autonomous County, Lugu Lake is regarded as the mother lake by the Mosuo people. It is also the home of the Matriarchal Tribe and the Kingdom of Women.
In the morning, I got up early to enjoy beautiful sunrise over Lugu Lake. After breakfast, I transfer to visit a local Mosuo family to know more about Mosuo culture. Including their matriarchal system, marriage custom, festivals, religion, attires and daily life. Moreover, l feasted my eyes with breathtaking scenery on the Pearl of Plateau.
It is impressive for people to get know the Mosuo’s unique marriage custom. Mosuo people do not formally marry. Rather, they carry a special ‘walking marriage ’custom. In a walking marriage, both partners live separately under the roof of their own extended family during the day; however, it is common for the man to visit and stay at the women’s house at night(if given permission) until sunrise. Therefore, they do not live in the same household as well as we do, but they are free to visit when granted permission. Due to the separation of the father and mother, it is crucial for the uncle(s) (brothers of the mother)to play a vital role in the development of the children. Children in a walking marriage aren’t raised by their father and mother. Thus, the uncles will take on the responsibilities of the father since the father isn’t around during the daytime.
The family which I visited was a typical ‘walking marriage’ family. The grandmother told me many interesting stories of her family. In the evening, I was invited to stay and take part in their local party. To be honest, it was an awesome trip!
In the land of colorful clouds, Dali (大理), Cangshan Mountain (苍山) and Erhai Lake (洱海) stand side by side, offering a perfect blend of majestic grandeur and serene beauty. Today, I’ll share a one-day itinerary to help you fully experience their unique charm.
East to Erhai Lake and West to Cangshan Mountain, Xizhou is located in 18 kilometers north of Dali Old Town. Xizhoiu is the important town for Bai nationality. The most well-preserved Bai residences can be seem here. The famous compond with rooms on three sides and a screen wall and typical quadrangle with five yards indicate the wisdom and artistic creativity of Bai nationality.
Residential houses of the Bai people in Xizhou pay much attention to the decorations of screens, doors, windows, walls, flower terrace, arches over gateways. The center of the screen is often inscribed with four characters, or embedded with a marble. Doors and windows are mostly made of rare wood and carved with auspicious designs. Walls are painted with white lime and decorated with wash drawings. Arches over gateways with upturned eaves are exquisitely carved with great care and precision. They are cultural relics at national level.
The famous handicraft of Bai people is Tie-dyed Technique. This technique uses white cotton cloth as the raw material and colorfast indigo-blue as the dye. Procedures include designing by hand, tying knots, dyeing and bleaching, untying knots, and spreading. Tie-dyed cloth shows white patterns on a blue background.
What’s more, you can taste special Three-course Tea, which is a traditional custom of the Bai to entertain guests. The first course is plain tea. The second, flavored with brown sugar, milk, walnuts, and sesame, has a sweet aroma. The third, called afterflavor tea, is seasoned with honey, ginger sauce, Chinese prickly ash, cinnamon and pine nut. Three-course tea connotes the three stages of life.
Baisha Old Town is a hidden gem located near the more famous Lijiang Dayan Old Town, offering visitors a glimpse into the authentic Naxi culture and history without the crowds typically found in more popular tourist destinations. Here’s a guide that could be used to introduce travelers to Baisha Old Town:
Baisha Old Town: A Serene Escape into Naxi Culture and History
The Historical Capital of the Naxi
Baisha, meaning “White Sand,” was the ancient capital of the Naxi kingdom and the political, economic, and cultural center of Lijiang. It is the birthplace of the prestigious Family Mu, who played a significant role in the development of the area and the planning of its cities.
UNESCO World Heritage Connection
Baisha Old Town’s cultural and historical significance was a crucial factor in Lijiang Old Town’s successful bid to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its well-preserved architecture and frescoes offer a window into the past.
A Tranquil Experience
Unlike its bustling neighbor, Baisha Old Town is a place of tranquility, where the original Naxi village and culture can be experienced without the distraction of large tourist crowds.
Living Habits and Lifestyle
The residents of Baisha maintain a traditional lifestyle, with the streets growing quiet after dusk. This offers a peaceful environment for visitors to stroll and enjoy views of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in the distance.
Accommodations
Staying at a local resort like the Baisha Holiday Resort allows guests to immerse themselves in the local culture. Enjoying tea in a flower-adorned courtyard is one of the simple pleasures that contribute to a sense of peace and relaxation.
The Baisha Frescoes
The highlight of Baisha Old Town is undoubtedly the Baisha frescoes. Spanning a period from the early Ming Dynasty to the Qing Dynasty, these frescoes are over 300 years old. They are a unique blend of Tibetan Buddhist, Daoist, and local Naxi religious art.
Architectural and Artistic Heritage
During the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the Family Mu oversaw a period of political stability and economic prosperity that led to the construction of significant architectural works. The Dabaoji Palace’s frescoes are the most extensive, with 12 pieces depicting 167 figures from various religious traditions.
Visiting the Frescoes
The frescoes can be viewed at several locations, including Dabaoji Palace, Liuli Temple, and Dading Pavilion. Admission to see the Baisha frescoes is 30 RMB per person.
Travel Tips for Visiting Baisha Old Town
Plan Your Visit
- Timing: Visit in the late afternoon to enjoy the quiet streets and the sunset against the mountain backdrop.
- Respect: Be mindful of the local customs and traditions. Baisha is a living town with a strong cultural heritage.
- Exploration: Hire a local guide to gain deeper insights into the frescoes and the history of Baisha.
Getting There
Baisha Old Town is approximately 10 kilometers from Lijiang Dayan Old Town and can be reached by taxi, bus, or bike.
Visiting Baisha Old Town offers a rare opportunity to step back in time and experience the rich tapestry of Naxi culture in a setting that is both peaceful and picturesque. It’s a must-visit for those seeking a deeper understanding of the history and heritage of this unique region of China.
As a World Natural Heritage, Stone Forest is a must-visit-place in Kunming, Yunnan. About 78 kilometers from the downtown of Kunming, we need about 1.5 hours driving to the scenic area. Actually, when you drive into Shili Yi Autonomous County, limestone in diversified shapes can be seem along the road. The total area of stone forest is 1100 square kilometers, among which just about 12 square kilometers are opened and developed as scenic area.
And the car can’t drive to the entrance of the scenic area. Tourists have to take shuttle bus and then walk about 500 meters to go into Stone Forest. If you don’t want to pay 25 RMB for shuttle bus ticket, you can walk about 3 kilometers to arrive at the scenic area. The ticket for Stone Forest is 175 RMB per person.
Kunming Stone Forest ranks the first in the world at its age, size and typical formation. Every one whom walk in such an amazing place may wonder how it came into being?
In fact, about 270 million years ago, this land was a seabed. The corpses of oceanic creatures sunk into the silt, piled up layer by layer and fossilized to be limestone. Due to the movement of earth crust, the sea receded. Then the volcano erupted nearby and the lava covered the limestone to be basalt protective layer. About 50 million years ago, the basalt flaked away so that the limestone was exposed to the air. Because of the humid and warm climate here, the rainfall, seeping water and underground water gradually eroded and dissolved the limestone hence the natural wonder. Walking in the Stone Forest just like waking in the ancient seabed.
Moreover, the more imagination you have, the more enjoyment you will get when you travel to Stone Forest. The shapes of these high rocks may like different animals or plants, such as sword-like peak and lotus pond. Just use your imagination and enjoy your time here!
After you go down from view-watching pavilion, you will see some people in special costumes dancing and singing joyfully. They are Sani people, a branch of Yi nationality. This is the traditional dance called ‘three-stringed dance’, which shows Yi people’s passion and hospitality.
You can judge whether a Sani girl is married or not according to her headdress. Two triangular ornaments in her headdress indicates that she is unmarried. One triangular for engaged and none triangular ornament for married. They worship tiger and black color. A boy or girl in black skip is regarded as healthy people.
Stone Ashima
If the Major Stone Forest is a strong man, the Small Stone Forest is beautiful girl because the landscape is more delicate. The most famous stone is called ‘Ashima’, which is related to the epic of Yi nationality. Ashima means beautiful, brave and warm-hearted girl. The skyline of this stone is like a girl looking for distance with a flower basket on her back.
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Enjoying Different Landscape of Lugu Lake
People sometimes imagine to step into a mysterious land full of beautiful legend and experience the culture difference. People sometimes want to escape from the hustle and bustle city...
Cangshan Mountain & Erhai Lake: ‘Waste’ Life Here
In the land of colorful clouds, Dali (大理), Cangshan Mountain (苍山) and Erhai Lake (洱海) stand side by side, offering a perfect blend of majestic grandeur and serene beauty....
Travel to Xizhou Old Town in Dali
East to Erhai Lake and West to Cangshan Mountain, Xizhou is located in 18 kilometers north of Dali Old Town. Xizhoiu is the important town for Bai nationality. The...
Baisha Old Town: Unusual Destination with Tranquility and Charm
Baisha Old Town is a hidden gem located near the more famous Lijiang Dayan Old Town, offering visitors a glimpse into the authentic Naxi culture and history without the...
Kunming Stone Forest: The Top Wonder of the World
As a World Natural Heritage, Stone Forest is a must-visit-place in Kunming, Yunnan. About 78 kilometers from the downtown of Kunming, we need about 1.5 hours driving to the...
Tips Before Travel
Bring copies of your passport
Don't assume you're restricted to the main hubs of Beijing and Shanghai, our tours can start from any city.
Register with your embassy
For your safety, please register with the Embassy.
Always have local cash
Exchange some local currency for your trip
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