Nuohei Elementary School in Shilin County, Kunming

Nuohei Elementary School(糯黑村小学) is located in the heart of Nuohei Stone Village. It is a modest two-story building. In front of the school, there is a public activity center where locals gather to celebrate festivals. To the left of the school is a Yi Minority Culture Museum, which showcases various exhibitions related to the Yi culture. The school’s location provides an excellent environment for students to learn and participate in extracurricular activities.

The school primarily focuses on primary education. Most of the students belong to the Yi Minority. Apart from learning Chinese and other subjects, the students also have the opportunity to learn the Yi language.

Basic Information

History and Evolution

Originally named "Guishan Town Nuohei Village Committee Primary School" (圭山镇糯黑村委会小糯黑小学), the school was later merged and the original school site is now used as a reception area for Xiaonuohai Village (小糯黑村). The school is situated in a typical settlement area of the Sani branch of the Yi ethnic group. The village has a population that is 98% Yi Sani.

Location

The school is located 30 kilometers southeast of Shilin County (石林县), about 4 kilometers from the Guishan Town Government (圭山镇政府). It is close to the Jiushi A Tourism Special Line (九石阿旅游专线公路) and sits at an average altitude of 1985 meters. The surrounding village is known for its karst rock formations, earning it the nickname "Stone Village" (石头寨).

School Features

Ethnic Culture Preservation

The school leverages its Yi Sani cultural resources to offer unique courses such as Yi language, song and dance (including the Big Three-string Dance), and embroidery. Students also participate in cultural activities at the Shiban Cultural Plaza (石板文化广场) within the village, connecting with intangible cultural heritage projects.

Environmental Education

The school takes advantage of the unique local resource, the Stone Architecture Museum (石头建筑博物馆), to integrate geological education with ethnic culture. The school’s surroundings feature century-old trees and golden bamboo groves, creating an "eco-landscape" of green, blue, and natural beauty.

Community Engagement

Artistic Education Collaboration

As an artist sketching base, the school regularly hosts students and faculty from art academies. In July 2025, the school will participate in the "Guishan Art Museum First Exhibition" (圭山美术馆首展), showcasing ethnic art such as farmer paintings.

Rural Revitalization Project

Nuohei Elementary School is part of the Nuohei Art Village Development Plan, which aims to improve the educational environment through initiatives like the "Beautiful Courtyard" competition. In 2022, the village was recognized as a "Beautiful Village" under the Yunnan Provincial Rural Revitalization Program.