The Hani Ethnic Minority Museum (绿春县博物馆/哈尼族博物馆) is located in the Lüdong New District (绿东新区) of Luchun County (绿春县), Honghe Prefecture (红河州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It is the only museum in the world dedicated to the Hani ethnic group (哈尼族).

Overview

• Chinese Name: 绿春县博物馆 (Lüchūn Xiàn Bówùguǎn)
• Location: Lüdong New District (绿东新区), Luchun County (绿春县)
• Area: 6,500 m²
• Type: National museum of cultural relics
• Opening Date: November 25, 2008
• Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 08:00—11:30 (11:00—11:30 for cleaning); 14:00—17:30 (17:00—17:30 for cleaning)
• Construction Start Date: May 2006
• Building Area: 3,456 m²
• Total Collection: 3,147 items (sets)

Historical Background

The museum began construction in May 2006 and officially opened to the public during the International Hani/Akha Academic Conference (国际哈尼/阿卡学术讨论会) in November 2008. It was formally established as the Luchun County Museum (绿春县博物馆) on January 30, 2011, approved by the Yunnan Provincial Bureau of Cultural Relics (云南省文物局). Since its opening, the museum has welcomed over 110,000 domestic and international visitors.

The museum spans 6,500 square meters, including the plaza in front of the museum and totem poles (图腾柱) representing the six ethnic groups (世居民族) residing in Luchun County, with an investment of over 12 million yuan.

Architectural Layout

The total building area of the museum is 3,456 square meters, with 2,200 square meters dedicated to exhibition halls. The museum features 12 exhibition halls, including:

• Main Hall (总厅)
• Migration Hall (迁徙厅)
• Religion Hall (宗教厅)
• Customs Hall (习俗厅)
• Agriculture Hall (农耕厅)
• Costume Hall (服饰厅)
• Goddess Hall (女神厅)
• Art and Culture Hall (艺术文化厅)
• Library and Data Hall (图书资料厅, not open to the public)
• Tea Culture Hall (茶文化厅)
• Multimedia Hall (多媒体厅)
• Art Exhibition Hall (艺术作品展览厅)

Exhibits

The museum houses 2,998 valuable tangible cultural heritage items (包括相关书籍) related to the production, life, religion, textiles, and clothing of the Hani ethnic group (哈尼族). As the only Hani museum in the world, it plays a vital role in preserving and showcasing Hani culture.

The museum combines contemporary theories with regional characteristics and the overall culture of the Hani/Akha people, utilizing modern techniques alongside traditional cultural expressions to collect, preserve, and display the customs, beliefs, and lifestyles of the Hani people comprehensively.

Cultural Significance

The Hani Ethnic Minority Museum integrates advanced multimedia methods, including video presentations and performances, to enhance the preservation of Hani cultural heritage. It serves as a comprehensive resource center for research, development, and protection of Hani traditions.

Visitors to the museum will experience unique Hani cultural practices, such as the Long Street Feast (长街宴) and an eight-part choir (八声部合唱团), alongside folklore and myths that reflect the deep historical roots and values of the Hani people.

Visiting Information

• Address: Inside the Ethnic Culture Park (风情园), Luchun County (绿春县), Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州)
• Opening Hours: Monday to Saturday, 08:00—11:30; 14:00—17:30. Closed on Sundays.

How to Get There

To reach the museum, take bus routes 1, 2, or 5 to the Fengqing Park Road Station (风情园路口站), and walk south for 100 meters.

Travel Tips

• Time Needed: Plan to spend at least 3 hours exploring the museum and its exhibits.
• Transportation: After arriving at the Luchun Bus Station (绿春汽车客运站), it’s a short walk to the museum.
• Admission: Please consult the museum for specific ticket details.
• Best Visiting Time: Mornings are generally less crowded, allowing for a more immersive experience.

Location:

Geographical Location

Yuanyang County (元阳县) is located in the southern part of Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (红河哈尼族彝族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). The region is characterized by high mountains and deep valleys, and it is home to 190,000 mu (approximately 12,667 hectares) of terraced fields with a history of over 1,300 years. These terraces, along with the unique farming culture of the Hani people (哈尼族), have given rise to an ecological system that harmoniously integrates forest, village, terraced fields, and water systems — a miracle in the history of global agricultural civilization.

Cultural and Historical Background

“Kaixiangmen” (开秧门) is a traditional and solemn ceremony held by Hani villages to mark the beginning of the rice transplanting season, symbolizing the official start of spring plowing. The Hani people are known for their deep reverence for nature, which is reflected in their spiritual beliefs and daily practices. Through their hard work and ingenuity, they created the world-renowned Honghe Hani Rice Terraces (红河哈尼梯田), now recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Folk Customs

On the day of “Kaixiangmen” (开秧门), Hani people of all ages gather at the terraces, singing while planting rice and dancing during breaks. They dress in traditional festive attire and bring offerings to a ritual altar near the fields, including yellow sticky rice and red-dyed eggs. These offerings are part of prayers for favorable weather and a bountiful harvest. During the festival, visitors can take part in rice planting and enjoy traditional events such as the Long Table Feast (长街宴).

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Yuanyang County (元阳县) has a subtropical monsoon climate, characterized by mild temperatures and abundant rainfall. The best time to visit is from April to May, when the weather is cool and suitable for outdoor activities.

Recommended Attractions and Visiting Time

Kaixiangmen Ceremony Site in Hani Town (哈尼小镇):
Visitors can observe performances of the “Kaixiangmen” ritual and demonstrations of traditional farming techniques.
Suggested visit duration: 2–3 hours.

Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces (元阳哈尼梯田):
Marvel at the breathtaking terraced landscapes and immerse yourself in Hani agricultural culture.
Suggested visit duration: 1–2 days.

Transportation

Public Transport:
Take a long-distance bus from Kunming South Bus Station (昆明南部客运站) to Yuanyang (元阳). The journey takes about 5–6 hours. After arriving in Yuanyang, transfer to local transportation to reach Hani Town (哈尼小镇).

Self-Driving:
From Kunming (昆明), drive along the Kunming–Mohan Expressway (昆磨高速, G8511) to Yuanyang, then continue to Hani Town. Total distance is about 332 kilometers.

Local Cuisine

Hani Long Table Feast:
Sample traditional Hani dishes such as yellow sticky rice and red-dyed eggs.

Red Rice Noodles:
Unique noodles made from red rice grown in the terraced fields, offering a distinct flavor and texture.

Shopping

Hani Embroidery:
Traditional handcrafted embroidery items made by Hani artisans.

Terrace Red Rice:
A local specialty, this nutritious red rice is grown in the iconic terraced fields.

Accommodation

Hani Town :
Offers a range of hotels and guesthouses with affordable prices and strong ethnic charm.

Yuanyang County Town:
For a more comfortable stay, consider accommodations in the county center.

Travel Tips

• Respect the customs and traditions of local ethnic minorities, especially when visiting villages or participating in cultural festivals.
• Help preserve the environment by not littering.
• Some paths in the terraced fields are steep, so wear comfortable and sturdy footwear.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1:
Arrive in Yuanyang County, check into your hotel, and head to Hani Town to watch the “Kaixiangmen” performance.

Day 2:
Visit Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces to admire the stunning landscapes and experience Hani agricultural life.

Day 3:
Return to Yuanyang County town and conclude your journey.

Closing Remarks

The “Kaixiangmen” and Farming Culture Festival in Yuanyang County (元阳县) is a place rich with natural beauty and ethnic heritage. Whether you’re exploring the deep-rooted traditions of the Hani people or marveling at the awe-inspiring terraced fields, this experience promises unforgettable memories. We hope you have a wonderful and enriching journey here!

Festival Introduction

Chinese Name: 金平县哈尼族苦扎扎节
English Name: Kuzhazha Festival of Hani Ethnic Minority in Jinping County, Honghe
Location: Jinping County, Honghe

The Ku Zhazha Festival, also known as the June Festival, is held in the middle of the sixth lunar month each year. It is a grand traditional festival for the Hani people of Honghe, celebrated with as much enthusiasm and grandeur as the Chinese Spring Festival. During this time, Hani villages are filled with excitement and warmth. People wear colorful festive clothing and gather in groups at the磨秋场 (milling ground) to play games and enjoy themselves, celebrating the festival.

“Ku Zhazha” means welcoming “E Zhu” (a deity) to visit the Hani people, driving away harm and evil spirits, and praying for E Zhu’s blessings for the safe and prosperous lives of the villagers as well as a good harvest.

The Hani people’s Ku Zhazha is a religious festival, with solemn sacrificial activities closely tied to the agricultural calendar. The festival events are scheduled around farming activities. The Ku Zhazha festivities mainly showcase Hani religious rituals and cultural customs related to entertainment and social interaction.

Festival Activities

Ku Zhazha is the June Festival for the Hani people. During this festival, every village swings on swings; additionally, there are activities like visiting other villages and dancing the drum dance. The Ku Zhazha lasts for 3 to 5 days, starting on the first monkey day of the fifth lunar month. This is usually just after the seedlings have been planted, when there is less agricultural work, making it a good opportunity to celebrate. The seedlings in the fields change from yellow to green, welcoming the coming season of weeding and wishing for the seedlings to grow strong and produce abundant grains, so that every household can enjoy a prosperous life.

The main activity of Ku Zhazha is swinging. On the first day of the festival, each village selects a tall, straight pine tree to serve as the milling pole. The milling pole must meet specific dimensions, with annual variations not exceeding 3 to 5 inches. The pole is cut down at night and carried back to the village before dawn. The next day, each family prepares offerings of two chickens and one duck to present to the milling pole, which is then erected, prepared for swinging, and a cowhide drum is placed on an earthen mound slightly elevated above the ground.

Milling refers to using hard chestnut wood planted in the ground, with the top end sharpened to form an axis. A long, thick horizontal pine beam is carved out in the middle section and balanced on top. During the milling, people sit or climb on both ends of the beam, taking turns pushing off the ground with their feet to make it rise and fall like a millstone, hence the name “milling.”

According to Hani customs, the milling pole must be cut down at night and carried back by young men before dawn, singing mountain songs along the way. They raise the milling pole made of strong wood to the milling ground at the village edge, planting one end in the ground and sharpening the top as the axis, then carving out the center of the long horizontal beam and placing it on top. Both ends of the horizontal beam must be of equal length and smoothed to avoid injury. In the afternoon, the Hani people, dressed in vibrant clothing, gather at the milling ground. In keeping with Hani customs of respecting elders, several respected old men will perform the “opening swing.” After a few initial symbolic swings, pairs of young men and women take turns swinging. Milling is a lively sport for the Hani, requiring equal numbers of participants on both sides. Those sitting on the beams push off the ground with their feet, sometimes spinning rapidly and rising and falling in rhythm, creating a lively atmosphere. Spectators cheer with exclamations like “Oh, ho ho!” encouraging the swingers, creating a very enthusiastic ambiance. Those who are skilled and daring often become the objects of admiration for the young women.

The spinning swing is more complex; two stout chestnut trees of about four meters in length are planted about three to four meters apart. The tops are carved into a groove, allowing a wooden horizontal beam to be placed inside it, with four X-shaped wooden pieces threaded through the center. A cable is tied at the top of each X shape. People sit in them, with each end accommodating one or two people, allowing a total of four to eight riders. Sitting outward, those with their feet on the ground can push off to start spinning, gradually gaining speed, to the point where it spins rapidly like a ball, hence the name “spinning swing.”

The “swing” is similar to swings commonly found among the Han people, where two ends of a coarse palm rope are tied to a sturdy tree branch, and a small plank is attached about 70 cm from the ground. People stand on the plank, holding the palm ropes, bending and straightening their legs to gain momentum on the swing.

On this day, bamboo tubes are hung on the gate of the village, filled with pine branches, seedlings, and Sichuan pepper branches, praying for a bountiful harvest. Before dark, the bamboo tubes are taken home to begin the milling ceremony. During this time, one end of the milling pole is set on fire, while nearby, people hold a bamboo basket filled with food offerings for the milling. The host pours wine over the milling pole, wishing for a rich harvest and good health for people and livestock, then spins the milling pole three times, directing the burning end three times toward the east to welcome the arrival of the celestial deity and to protect the Hani people’s crops. On the third day, as the sun rises, the signal for planting seedlings is blown, and men and women flock to the milling ground, where milling brings joyful laughter.

After milling, visiting other villages begins! Some young men don women’s clothing, others use soot from pots to paint their faces elaborately, some wear masks, while others put on pants made from torn strips of fabric, and some even wear bells around their waists. In short, everyone can dress as they please. The colorful young Hani men travel from village to village, while the young women dance the monkey dance to the beat of drums to welcome the visitors. The young men take the floral towels from the young women, asking them to step aside, and then they shimmy and sway, dancing playfully. At this moment, some are dancing the drum dance, while others are swinging, everyone is lively, filled with joy, and the air is filled with laughter.

As the sun sets, a volley of crisp gunfire rings out from the milling ground, signaling people to come sing and dance. Those young couples who have hidden in the woods to whisper sweet nothings come together, along with the elderly and children. The elders sit around the dancing area, drinking and enjoying themselves, while children chase each other and play. Young people form circles to dance the fan dance, staff dance, and various festive dances. The sounds of gongs, string instruments, and cheers intertwine, echoing through the mountains as a night of unbridled revelry begins.

Chinese Name: 江城县曲水镇三国哈尼历年节
English Name: New Year Festival of Hani Ethnic Minority in Jiangcheng County, Puer

Location:
http://travel.sina.com.cn/domestic/news/2017-01-03/detail-ifxzczfc6793336.shtml

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