Culture of Yuxi City

Origin of the Name

Yuxi City (玉溪市) derived its name from water. The Yuxi River (玉溪河), recorded as Qiao River (桥水) in the Commentary on the Water Classic (Shui Jing Zhu, 《水经注》), was already referred to as “Yuxi” in Ming Dynasty literature, inspired by the river’s clear jade-like appearance.

Cultural Heritage

Protected Cultural Relics

As of 2021, Yuxi City (玉溪市) had 6 national-level protected cultural heritage sites, 23 at the provincial level, 53 at the municipal level, and 176 at the county level.

National-Level Protected Sites

  • Gantangqing Paleolithic Site (甘棠箐旧石器遗址), Jiangchuan (江川)
  • Wenxingxiang Trading House (文兴祥商号)
  • Lijiashan Tomb Cluster (李家山古墓群)
  • Confucian Temple (文庙)
  • Longxi Aristocratic Manor (陇西世族庄园)
  • Jinlian Mountain Tomb Cluster (金莲山墓群)

Intangible Cultural Heritage

As of 2021, Yuxi City (玉溪市) had 6 items listed on the national intangible cultural heritage list, 40 at the provincial level, 166 at the municipal level, and 324 at the county level.

National Intangible Cultural Heritage Items

  • Dai Ethnic Costumes (Dai Zu Fu Shi, 傣族服饰, specifically Huayao Dai)
  • Yi Ethnic Flower Drum Dance (彝族花鼓舞)
  • Huadeng Opera (花灯戏, especially Yuxi Huadeng Opera)
  • Dian Opera (滇剧)
  • Guansuo Opera (关索戏)
  • Palm Fan Dance (棕扇舞)
  • Dongjing Music (洞经音乐, notably Miaoshanxue Women’s Dongjing Music 妙善学女子洞经音乐)
  • Elevated Stage Performance (抬阁, Tonghai High Platform 通海高台)

Ethnic Culture

Xinping County (新平县)

Xinping is the largest settlement area of the Huayao Dai (花腰傣) ethnic group in China and is renowned for preserving its traditional culture most completely. Known as the “Hometown of Huayao Dai in China,” Xinping hosts the Huajie Festival (花街节) from the 3rd to the 5th day of the first lunar month. This highly ceremonial and historically rich festival is a signature celebration of the Huayao Dai.

Eshan County (峨山县)

Located between the Ailao Mountains (哀牢山) and the eastern Yunnan plateau, Eshan was the first Yi Autonomous County (彝族自治县) in China and the first ethnic autonomous county in Yunnan. Apu Dumu (阿普笃慕) is revered as the ancestral figure of the Yi people, with six sons who later became the founders of six major ancient Yi tribes, spreading across Yunnan, Sichuan, Guizhou, and Guangxi. The Flower Drum Dance (花鼓舞), called “Zhebo Bi” (者波必) in the Yi language, is a beloved folk performance combining singing, dancing, and music—one of the most iconic dance forms of the Yi people.

Yuanjiang County (元江县)

Yuanjiang is home to nine branches of the Hani ethnic group: Nuobi (糯比), Nuomei (糯美), Duota (堕塔), Suobi (梭比), Budu (布都/阿梭), Biyue (碧约), Baihong (白宏/布孔), Kaduo (卡堕), and Ximoluo (西摩洛). These subgroups mostly reside in the Nanxi area of Yuanjiang, including Nanuo (那诺), Yangjie (羊街), Mili (咪哩), and Yinyuan (因远), with smaller populations in Lijiang and Honghe subdistricts. Despite close proximity, each maintains distinct traditions.

The Hani Terraced Fields in Yuanjiang are mainly found in Yangjie and Nanuo, with the Nanuo terraces being the most renowned. These are masterpieces of Hani agricultural engineering and exemplify ancient Yunnan farming civilization. Their terrace culture features rich traditions, including songs of labor, ritual, love, and folk customs, as well as ancient and bold dances—among which the Palm Fan Dance (棕扇舞) stands out.

Xingmeng Township (兴蒙乡)

As the only Mongolian township in Yunnan, Xingmeng has preserved vibrant traditions such as the Naadam Festival (那达慕), Luban Festival (鲁班节), and Ancestor Remembrance Festival (忆祖节). During harvest seasons, residents hold grand Naadam gatherings to celebrate.

Scenic Attractions

Overview

As of 2022, Yuxi City (玉溪市) had 34 tourist attractions rated A-level or above at the national level.

Main 4A Scenic Areas

  • Xiushan Historical and Cultural Park (秀山历史文化公园), Tonghai County (通海县)
  • Yingyuetan Leisure and Cultural Center (映月潭休闲文化中心), Yuxi (玉溪)
  • Huilong Ecological Park (汇龙生态园), Yuxi (玉溪)
  • Luchong Scenic Area (禄充景区), Chengjiang (澄江)
  • Mopanshan National Forest Park (磨盘山国家森林公园), Xinping (新平)
  • Longquan Park Ecotourism Area (龙泉公园生态旅游景区), Yimen (易门)
  • Maotianshan Cambrian World Heritage Site (帽天山寒武纪世界自然遗产旅游区), Chengjiang (澄江)

Main 3A Scenic Areas

  • Ancient Dian Kingdom Cultural Park (古滇国文化园), Jiangchuan (江川)
  • Moon Bay Wetland Park (月亮湾湿地公园), Chengjiang (澄江市)
  • Damuyu Huayao Dai Ethnic Culture Village (大沐浴花腰傣生态民族文化旅游村), Xinping (新平)
  • Mingxing Yudong Cave Scenic Area (明星渔洞景区), Yuxi (玉溪)
  • Mingxing Biyun Park (明星碧云公园), Yuxi (玉溪)
  • Xianhu Ancient Town & Bay (仙湖古镇·仙湖湾景区), Yuxi (玉溪)
  • Longma Mountain Scenic Area (龙马山景区), Yuxi (玉溪)
  • Yuxi City Museum (玉溪市博物馆)
  • Fuxian Lake Starry Sky Resort Community (抚仙湖星空国际度假社区)
  • Guanglong Tourist Town (广龙旅游小镇), Fuxian Lake (抚仙湖)
  • Flower and Fruit Mountain Amusement Valley (花果山欢乐谷景区), Yimen (易门)
  • Sibeijia Dian Cuisine Culture Park (斯贝佳滇式食品艺术生活场景区)
  • Ailao Mountain Shimen Gorge (哀牢山石门峡景区), Xinping (新平县)
  • Honghe Valley Hot Sea Scenic Area (红河谷热海景区), Yuanjiang (元江县)
  • Wanyaocun Village (碗窑村景区), Huaning (华宁)
  • Qinghuajie Street (青花街景区), Yuxi (玉溪)
  • Yunnan Qinhuai Manor (云南琴淮庄园)

Notable Attractions

Longxi Aristocratic Manor (陇西世族庄园), Ailao Mountains (哀牢山), Xinping (新平)

Located under Tiger Cliff (虎跳崖) on White Tiger Mountain (白虎山), in Dapingzhang Village, Yaonan Village Committee, Jiasha Town (戛洒镇), about 108 km from Xinping County Seat and 36 km from Jiasha Township.

Luchong Scenic Area (禄充景区), Chengjiang (澄江)

Located 20 km from Chengjiang County and 70 km from Kunming, on the west shore of Fuxian Lake (抚仙湖).

Gushan (孤山)

Also known as Gushan Island (孤山岛), located slightly west in Fuxian Lake (抚仙湖), about 900 meters from shore, covering an area of 82 mu with 85% greenery coverage.

Notable Figures

  • Li Hui (李恢) – Courtesy name De’ang (德昂), a general and official of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period.
  • Sun Jilu (孙继鲁) – Courtesy name Daofu (道甫), Jinshi in the second year of Jiajing reign, held various official positions.
  • Nie Er (聂耳) – Composer of the PRC national anthem March of the Volunteers (义勇军进行曲).
  • Xie Ruyi (谢汝翼) – Key leader of the “Double Ninth Uprising” in Yunnan during the Xinhai Revolution.
  • Luo Peijin (罗佩金) – Another leader of the same uprising.
  • Fan Shisheng (范石生) – KMT General and commander of the 16th Army.
  • Sheng Yanling (盛延龄) – Manager of Hong Kong Branch and president of Yunnan Fudian Bank.
  • Jin Handing (金汉鼎) – KMT General, member of Beijing Political Consultative Conference.
  • Tang Huaiyuan (唐淮源) – Renowned Dian Army general and anti-Japanese war hero.
  • Yang Guoxiang (杨国祥) – Former deputy chief of staff of Kunming Air Force District, Major General.
  • Fang Wen’an (方文安) – Awarded the rank of Major General in September 1988.
  • Dai Yongnian (戴永年) – Vacuum metallurgy expert, academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering.
  • Guo Weiyang (郭伟阳) – Member of China’s national gymnastics team, won team gold at the 2012 London Olympics.
  • Qu Huanzhang (曲焕章) – Founder of Yunnan Baiyao (云南白药).