Villages

Villages are administrative divisions under the jurisdiction of towns and townships, which are naturally formed by the inhabitation of one or more families. Villagers are engaged in the production of agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery or handicraft industry in the locality. There are about 14035 villages in Yunnan. Here we introduce some villages worth exploring during your Yunnan travel.

1. Traditional Villages in Yunnan

Chinese traditional villages, formerly known as ancient villages, refer to villages built before the republic of China. They are places that boast both tangible and intangible cultural heritages and have relatively high historical, cultural, artistic, social and economic values. Yunnan, owns a list of 615 traditional villages which has been ranked as the most valuable villages to protect in China. 

Read more about the List of Traditional Villages in Yunnan Province.

Ancient Village Tours in Yunnan

There are many villages and towns that are still keeping the pure life, ancient culture and long tradition in Yunnan. Most of them are far away from modern cities, so they haven’t been assimilated too much by modern life and they are not so commercial for tourists. Among these ancient villages and towns, most of them are in the areas ethnic people live. It’s a chance to know Yunnan traditional and ethnic culture. Step into the villages or towns, visit local families, eat local food, do some hiking around the villages or towns, and stay overnight in their houses, etc. All of these make the tours much more mysterious, worthwhile and interesting. 

See Ancient Village Tours in Yunnan.

2. Featured Ethnic Villages in Yunnan

Ethnic villages in China are a basic administrative district designated for minority ethnic groups, which are designated by the government within geographical regions where minority groups live. In order to better promote the protection and development of ethnic minority villages, China has named some featured ethnic villages. 

  • There are 340 ethnic villages included in the first batch of China Featured Ethnic Villages, among which 41 are located in Yunnan.
  • There are 717 ethnic villages included in the first batch of China Featured Ethnic Villages, among which 113 are located in Yunnan.

See the list of Featured Ethnic Villages in Yunnan.

Yunnan Ethnic Culture Tour

Yunnan has the largest number of ethnic population in China with 25 ethnic minorities including Bai, Yi, Dai, Naxi, Hani, Miao, Tibetan, Hui and Yao. The unique ethnic minorities culture make Yunnan the most colorful and majestic region in China. You definitely will have great fun by discovering the ethnic villages, enjoying the local performance and taking parting in the local big event.

See Yunnan Ethnic Culture Tour.

Longnai Village of Mengdong Town in Cangyuan County, Lincang
Longnai Village of Mengdong Town in Cangyuan County, Lincang
Location and Geography Longnai Village (龙乃村) is situated in Mengdong Town (勐董镇), Cangyuan County (沧源县), Lincang City (临沧市), Yunnan Province (云南省), China. The village lies 2 kilometers south of...
Ethnic Villages   
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Jingkang Village in Shahe Town of Shuangjiang County, Lincang
Jingkang Village in Shahe Town of Shuangjiang County, Lincang
Overview Jingkang Village (景亢自然村) is located in the Shuangjiang Lahu, Wa, Blang, and Dai Autonomous County (双江拉祜族佤族布朗族傣族自治县) within Linxiang City (临沧市), Yunnan Province. It is part of the Shahu...
Ethnic Villages   
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Manzhao Village and Paper Making in Menghai County, XishuangBanna
Manzhao Village and Paper Making in Menghai County, XishuangBanna
Chinese Name:西双版纳勐海县勐混镇曼召村和傣族造纸 Manzhao Village, situated east of Menghun Town in Menghai County, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, is a historic Dai ethnic village. The village’s name translates to “Sprouting Village”...
Dai Ethnic Minority   
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The 30 Most Beautiful and Unique Villages in Dali
The 30 Most Beautiful and Unique Villages in Dali
Chinese Name:大理最有特色的30个村寨 Chinese Version:https://www.dali.gov.cn/dlrmzf/c101532/202308/e5bb7aeff3a4481897e328926120e7ed.shtml Siden Village, Shaxi Town, Jianchuan County 剑川县沙溪镇寺登村/Rich Nostalgia and Thriving Rural Industry Siden Village is ...
Featured Ethnic Villages in Yunnan   
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Jiefang Village in Shangri La
Jiefang Village in Shangri La
Jiefang Village (解放村) in Shangri-La might not be as well-known as other tourist spots in the region, but it can offer a glimpse into the local life and culture....
Ethnic Villages   
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Gongbi Village in Shangri La
Gongbi Village in Shangri La
Gongbi Village in Shangri La贡比村 seems there might be a confusion or a less-known location you’re referring to, as “Gongbi Village” is not a widely recognized or documented location near...
Ethnic Villages   
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Shiti Village in Yingjiang County–Hornbill Birding Paraise
Shiti Village in Yingjiang County–Hornbill Birding Paraise
English Name: Shiti Village Chinese Name: 盈江县太平镇石梯村 Shiti Village, located in Taiping Town of Yingjiang County in Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, west Yunnan, has gained prominence as...
Ethnic Villages   
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Jinma Village and The Relic of The Ancient Tea Horse Road in Fengqing, Lincang
Jinma Village and The Relic of The Ancient Tea Horse Road in Fengqing, Lincang
Jinma Village and Relic of The Ancient Tea Horse Road(鲁史镇金马村茶马古道) is located in Lushi Town in Fengqing, Lincang. The ancient post road from Shunning(顺宁) to Xiaguan (下关) was opened...
Ethnic Villages   
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Mazhuang Village and Relic of Ancient Tea Horse Road in Fengqing County, Lincang
Mazhuang Village and Relic of Ancient Tea Horse Road in Fengqing County, Lincang
Mazhuang Village Mazhuang Village, located in Dasi Town, Fengqing County, Lincang, Yunnan Province, is historically significant as part of the Ancient Tea Horse Road (茶马古道). Positioned in the northern...
Ethnic Villages   
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Xiaoyan Village in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi
Xiaoyan Village in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi
Xiaoyan Village (小燕村) is located in Longtan Community (龙潭社区), Lijiang Subdistrict (澧江街道), Yuanjiang Hani, Yi and Dai Autonomous County (元江哈尼族彝族傣族自治县), Yuxi City (玉溪市), Yunnan Province (云南省), about 4 kilometers...
Ethnic Villages   
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Dulang Village in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi
Dulang Village in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi
Dulang Village (杜朗村) is located in Yuanjiang Hani, Yi, and Dai Autonomous County (元江哈尼族彝族傣族自治县) of Yuxi City (玉溪市), Yunnan Province (云南省). It is a minority village primarily inhabited by...
Ethnic Villages   
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Datan Village in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi
Datan Village in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi
Datan Village (大滩村) is located in Yuanjiang Hani, Yi and Dai Autonomous County (元江哈尼族彝族傣族自治县), Yuxi City (玉溪市), Yunnan Province. It lies in the upper and middle reaches of the...
Ethnic Villages   
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