Yingjiang County Culture

Yingjiang Culture features in the folk culture of the five indigenous ethnic minoritues. Dai, Jingpo, Lisu, Achang and De’ang live here generation by generation. These ethnic minority also live cross border. They keep the trade contacts and cultural exchanges. 

Yingjiang County History

Long ago, Yingjiang had served as the important passageway on the ancient Southern Silk Road, which connected China with South Asia and India-Pakistan Subcontinent. It was Ailao County under Yongchang Prefecture in the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220AD) (having jurisdiction over Dehong District). In the Ming Dynasty, the central government assigned Magistrate Ganya and Deputy Magistrate Zhanda to govern the two banks of the Great Yingjiang River. In 1958, the State Council approved the combination of the original Yingjiang and Lianshan counties into the present Yingjiang County.  In early 1990s, Yingjiang was approved to be a provincial-level port (grade two at the national level) by the People’s Government of Yunnan Province. 

More about Yingjiang County History

Ethnic Groups in Yingjiang

There are more than 177,000 ethnic people living in Yingjiang County, of which major ethnic minorities are Dai, Jingpo, Lisu, Achang and Deang. The minority residence accounts over half of the total population and lives in remote areas. The ethnic culture in Yingjiang has distinctive characteristics which can be seen in their own villages. Different ethnic minorities live together in harmony. They keep their culture tradition in their daily life, contributing colorful and majestic culture in Dehong. 

Festivals in Yingjiang

Besides the pleasant climate and amazing birding tours, the unique festivals and activities in Yingjiang County also make your travel in Dehong impressive. The most famous festivals in Dehong such as  Water Splashing Festival of Dai people and Munaozongge Festival of Jingpo people, etc. are also celebrated in Yingjiang County.

Religion Culture of Yingjiang

Theravada Buddhism is the major religion in Yingjiang. Dai and De'ang ethnic minorities believe in it. The pagodas and Zhuangfang (temple in Dai villages) are built in every Dai village, which are the typical architectures in Dehong. The representative architectures is the Yunyan Stupa. Most of the villagers will pray in Zhuangfang and pagodas at certain times.

Customs of Yingjiang

Dai and Jingpo ethnic minorities are the major ones here. Dai ethnic minority live in the plain area and they do well in agriculture. They live a group like and prefer teamwork. They respect the old and cherish the young and help each other. In daily life, they are good at handicraft, like bamboo weaving and brocade. Dai ethnic minority favors dancing and singing which are necessary in ceremony, labor work and festivals. 

Jingpo ethnic minority live in the mountainous areas, so they have good hunting skill. The sword is taken with the men all the time. Brocade and embroidery are the necessary skill of Jingpo girls. All of their dress are made by themselves. The colorful and unique dresses are their best works. They worship the nature and their ethnic hero. The goup dancing in Munaozongge Festival represents Jingpo’s enthusiasm and solidarity.

Costume of Yingjiang

  • Dai people:the traditional men clothes include open-front coat with tight sleeves and no collar, long loose trousers, and a pink, green or white turbans. In addition, Dai men carry satchels at their sides and carry swords at the girdle.Women clothes include open-front coat with tight sleeves and loop laps and sarong. Their waistbands are usually silver ones.
  • Jingpo people:there are daily costume, festival costume and ritual costume. Women’ daily costume consists of a collarless blouse, colorful skirts, bags, earrings etc., and men’ s daily costume consist of white or blue-purple cloth turbans, round-collar shirts, short black trousers, bags and swords. They will add more decoration and accessory to the festival and ritual costume.

Ethnic Towns in Yingjiang

Sudian Lisu Ethnic Town is the only ethnic town in Yingjiang County. It is inhabited mainly by Lisu ethnic people, and offers strong Lisu ethnic cultural environment for your Yunnan Culture Tour. If you join in our 1 Day Yingjiang County Kuoshi Festival Tour, you can have a quick understanding to Lisu ethnic culture.

Traditional Ethnic Villages in Yingjiang

The traditional ethnic villages usually have the well-preserved ethnic traditions, so they can be best choice for your Culture Tours in Yingjiang County. Traveling to the traditional ethnic villages, you can explore the most authentic ethnic traditions which can't be seen anywhere else. The following traditional ethnic villages in Yingjiang County are for your choice.

Intangible Cultural Heritage in Yingjiang

The protection and inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage in Yingjiang have made great contribution to the preservation and passing down of the ethnic traditions. The  intangible cultural heritages in Yingjiang County include Dai Opera,  Elephant-foot Drum Dance and “Kuoshi Mugua” – Narrative Poem of Lisu Ethnic Minority.

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Birding Culture of Yingjiang

Yingjiang enjoys the diverse creatures which cover more than 550 kinds of birds, accounting for 1/3 of the total in China. There are diverse rare birds in Yingjiang.  Many great birds are possible to be seen in Yingjiang Hornbill Valley, including such gems as Black-necked Crane, Red-tailed Laughingthrush, Red-billed Scimitar-Babbler, Yunnan Nuthatch, Derbyan Parakeet, and Collared Treepie. There is also an event themed on birding in Yingjiang County, the International Bird Watching Festival. If you are a fan of birdwatching, you shouldn't miss it.

Culture Tours Including Yingjiang

Our Yunnan Culture Tours will guide you to experience the famous festivals in Yunnan, such as Kuoshi festival, Water Splashing Festival and Munao Zongge festival, to learn and know more about Yunnan culture. Yingjiang Culture Tour Packages include festival experiment and ethnic minority discovery.

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