Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town in Gucheng District, Lijiang

Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town (金山白族乡) is situated in the southeastern part of Gucheng District (古城区), Lijiang City (丽江市), Yunnan Province (云南省). This picturesque region is bordered by the Yangtze River (金沙江) to the east, with Yongsheng County (永胜县) on the opposite bank. To the southeast, it is adjacent to Jin'an Town (金安镇), while to the south, it borders Qihe Town (七河镇). To the west, it connects with Xianghe Street (祥和街道), and to the north, it shares a boundary with Dadong Township (大东乡).

The town spans 286 square kilometers, with an estimated population of 25,000 people at the end of 2011. Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town is renowned for its Bai ethnic culture and stunning natural scenery, making it an appealing destination for those interested in rural life and traditional customs.

Historical Development

Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town has undergone significant administrative changes over the years:

• 1959: Jinshan Commune was established.

• 1984: It became Jinshan District.

• 1988: Renamed Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town.

• 2002: After administrative restructuring, it became part of Gucheng District, Lijiang City.

• 2013: The town was dissolved, and Jinshan Street, Kainan Street, and Wenhua Street were created.

These changes reflect the region's growing importance within the local governance structure.

Administrative Divisions

By the end of 2011, Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town included 10 administrative villages:

1. Jinshan (金山)

2. Xintuan (新团)

3. Dongyuan (东元)

4. Liangmei (良美)

5. Guifeng (贵峰)

6. Yangxi (漾西)

7. Wenhua (文化)

8. Yanle (岩乐)

9. Dongjiang (东江)

10. Lamagu (拉马古)

The town also had 95 village groups, with the government located in the Jinshan Village (金山村), in the Shanshiping Village Group (上石屏村民小组).

Geography and Climate

Location and Terrain

Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town is nestled in the southeastern part of Lijiang City, approximately 3 kilometers from the city center. The town’s territory stretches 5.2 kilometers from east to west and 52 kilometers from north to south. The region’s terrain is divided into basins, river valleys, and mountains, with the overall elevation ranging from 1,421 meters to 3,200 meters above sea level. The highest peak is at Yanle Chuduoshan (岩乐初都落山), while the lowest point is located in Dongjiang Shudi (东江树底).

Climate

The town enjoys a subtropical monsoon climate, which features mild summers, mild winters, and an overall pleasant climate. The average annual temperature is 11.5°C, and the annual rainfall reaches approximately 950 millimeters. Due to the region's varied topography, the climate differs with altitude, offering cool temperatures in the mountainous areas and warmer conditions in the valleys.

Population and Ethnic Composition

At the end of 2011, Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town had a population of 25,000. The demographics are dominated by the Naxi (纳西族) people, who make up 60% of the population. The Bai (白族) are the second-largest group, accounting for 29.1%. Other ethnic minorities include Han (汉族), Lisu (傈僳族), and a few smaller groups.

Population Breakdown:

• Naxi: 60%

• Bai: 29.1%

• Han: 7.9%

• Lisu: 1.2%

• Other minorities: 1.8%

Economy

Agriculture

The primary economic activity in Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town is agriculture. In 2011, the total rural income reached 130 million yuan, with a per capita income of 7,930 yuan. Key crops grown in the region include:

• Wheat, rice, beans, and tubers

• White kidney beans and autumn oilseed rape (秋油菜)

Livestock farming is also significant, with the region supporting a healthy population of pigs, cattle, sheep, and poultry.

Industrial Development

Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town has a growing industrial sector, primarily focused on cement and construction materials. In 2011, the total industrial output value was 210 million yuan, with seven local enterprises employing 382 people.

Commercial Growth

The total retail sales of social goods in the town in 2011 amounted to 27.09 million yuan. Additionally, financial activities saw the town's financial institutions holding 3.2 billion yuan in deposits by the end of the year.

Transport and Infrastructure

The town is well-connected through various transportation routes:

• Dali-Lijiang Railway (大丽铁路)

• Dali-Lijiang Highway (大丽公路)

• Lijiang-Ninglang Highway (丽宁公路)

• Lijiang-Yongsheng Highway (丽永公路)

Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town is just 7 kilometers from Lijiang Airport (丽江机场), providing easy access for travelers.

Culture and Heritage

Bai Ethnic Culture

Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town is a stronghold of the Bai (白族) culture. The Bai people are known for their traditional white clothing and distinctive architecture. They enjoy a cuisine with sour and spicy flavors, with a preference for cold dishes and roasted tea (烤茶).

The town is also famous for its traditional festivals:

• Spring Festival (年节)

• Torch Festival (火把节)

• March Street Festival (三月街)

Dongba Script (东巴文)

The Dongba script is an ancient pictographic writing system used by the Naxi people (纳西族) to record religious texts. It is regarded as one of the oldest and still active pictographic scripts in the world. The Dongba script originated during the Tang Dynasty (唐代), over 1,000 years ago, and remains an essential part of Naxi culture.

Festivals and Customs

The Bai people celebrate several important festivals, including the March Street Festival (三月街) and the Fishing Pond Festival (渔潭会). Their cultural practices are rooted in hospitality, with guests treated to roasted tea, a special beverage prepared by roasting tea leaves over an open fire. The Bai people also practice a unique form of social dining, where the eldest members sit at the head of the table, and younger individuals serve them food.

Marriage and Burial Customs

• Marriage: The Bai people are known for their free choice in marriage, where young men and women can freely select their partners.

• Burial: The Bai people follow a burial tradition, typically practicing earth burial.

Traditional Clothing

Bai men and women have distinct traditional clothing. Men typically wear white or blue headscarves and long white or blue pants, while women often wear embroidered fabrics and colorful scarves. Women's attire varies by region, with Dali women (大理) often wearing embroidered headscarves, and Jianchuan women (剑川) wrapping their heads in black cloth and wearing blue fabric for their clothing.

Social Services

Education

Jinshan Bai Ethnic Town supports several educational institutions, including:

• 2 kindergartens

• 1 primary school

• 12 elementary schools

• 1 middle school

Healthcare

The town has a healthcare center, with a total of 25 medical professionals and 10 beds. By the end of 2011, 99.7% of the rural population was enrolled in the New Rural Cooperative Medical System.

Sports and Recreation

The town boasts 18 sports fields, and 18% of the local population regularly participates in physical activities.