Daguokou Yi Ethnic Culture Protection Area in Chuxiong City, Chuxiong

Dagoukou Township (大过口乡), located in Chuxiong City (楚雄市), is a recognized prefecture-level Yi Ethnic Cultural Protection Zone in Yunnan (云南). With a population of 15,898, the Yi people account for 91.5% of the total, making it one of the most concentrated Yi communities in the region. Forest coverage reaches 71%, creating a rich ecological environment that complements its vibrant cultural heritage. Here, Yi traditions remain deeply rooted—songs, dances, rituals, embroidery, and beliefs are preserved and celebrated, making Dagoukou a living museum of Yi culture.

Yi Culture and Traditions

The township is known for its ancient Bimo (毕摩) culture, Tuzhu (土主) worship, totem beliefs, and taboos that date back centuries. Yi songs such as A Su Diao (啊苏调), Qingpeng Diao (青棚调), mountain songs, and wine songs are still performed with elegance and passion. Traditional dances include the Big Sanxian Dance (大三弦舞), Small Sanxian Dance (小三弦舞), Hulusheng Dance (葫芦笙舞), Left-Foot Dance (左脚舞), and ritual dances such as the Xiangtong Dance (香通祭祀舞) and Bimo Sacrificial Dance (毕摩祭祀舞).

Traditional musical instruments—such as flutes, suona, hulusheng, horns, sanxian (三弦), erhu, sheep-skin drums, cowhide drums, gongs, and ritual bells—are still widely played. These instruments and performances embody the artistic soul of the Yi people.

Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection

Dagoukou serves as a core area for Yi cultural inheritance. The township emphasizes the concept of a shared Chinese national identity while focusing on three goals: living heritage transmission, cultural-tourism integration, and rural revitalization. Currently, 38 heritage inheritors are recognized, including one at the provincial level and five at the prefectural level. Over 80 cultural activities are organized annually to ensure living transmission.

Yi embroidery, in particular, has become a symbol of cultural resilience. Training programs have nurtured over 1,200 embroiderers and supported entrepreneurship among craftswomen. The annual Yi embroidery output value has reached 5.5 million yuan, transforming tradition into a driver of economic growth.

Cultural Tourism Integration

Dagoukou actively promotes the integration of Yi culture with tourism. Through the concept of “Culture + Tourism + Yi Embroidery”, Yi handicrafts and performing arts are showcased during major festivals such as the Torch Festival (火把节), Yi New Year (彝族年), and the Bayberry Festival (杨梅节). Visitors can participate in Yi dances, enjoy hulusheng music, taste traditional dishes like konjac feasts (魔芋肴), and share in cultural banquets.

Tourism is further supported by the scenic landscapes of Malong River (马龙河) and Biji River (碧鸡河), where eco-tourism and rural tourism complexes highlight the harmony of culture and nature.

Cultural Ecology and Education

The township invests in cultural infrastructure and promotes the Mother Tongue Revitalization Project, offering Yi language courses in schools and establishing bilingual community teams. This ensures that younger generations grow up connected to their language and heritage. Community-level cultural rooms and centers also foster social participation and safeguard cultural practices.

Travel Tips

• Best Time to Visit: July and August during the Torch Festival, or December during Yi New Year, when cultural events are most vibrant.
• Cultural Etiquette: Show respect when observing religious or ritual practices such as Bimo ceremonies.
• Local Cuisine: Don’t miss specialties like Yi-style konjac dishes, roasted meats, and local bayberries.
• Handicrafts: Yi embroidery makes excellent souvenirs, representing both artistry and heritage.
• Experience: Join in the Left-Foot Dance or enjoy mountain songs—locals often say, “If you can talk, you can sing; if you can walk, you can dance.”

Dagoukou Yi Ethnic Cultural Protection Zone is more than a heritage site—it is a living cultural landscape where music, dance, rituals, and crafts thrive alongside modern rural development. By integrating cultural preservation with tourism and rural revitalization, Dagoukou not only safeguards Yi traditions but also shares them with the world. For travelers, it offers an immersive experience in the “ocean of songs and dances”, a paradise of Yi culture that continues to flourish with vitality.