Take Village and Take Cliff Painting in Yuanjiang County, Yuxi

More Picture

Location

The Take Cliff Paintings are located at the southern foot of Zhaying Peak, northeast of Take Village (它克村), Qinglongchang Town (青龙厂镇), Yuanjiang County (元江县), Yuxi City (玉溪市), Yunnan Province. The site is approximately 50 kilometers from Yuanjiang county seat.

History & Culture

Discovered in 1985, these ochre-red cliff paintings date back approximately 3,000 years to the late primitive society period. The 19.5-meter-long and 3-meter-high artwork features 92 distinct images depicting ancient human worship of the sun, stars, celestial bodies, nature, and maternal ancestors.

About 200 meters above the paintings lies Yinbin Cave (阴宾洞), a spacious, dry, and well-ventilated limestone cave believed to have been inhabited by the painters. In December 1987, the site was designated as a Provincial Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit (云南省重点文物保护单位) by Yunnan Province.

Local Customs

Yuanjiang County (元江县) is home to diverse ethnic groups including Hani (哈尼族), Yi (彝族), and Dai (傣族) peoples, who maintain rich traditional customs and seasonal rituals for agricultural blessings.

Weather & Best Time to Visit

The county’s low-latitude plateau monsoon climate creates significant variations between mountainous and basin areas. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures and optimal viewing conditions.

Recommended Attractions & Visit Duration

• Take Cliff Paintings (它克崖画): Explore this prehistoric art gallery revealing ancient beliefs. (Suggested: 1 hour)
• Yinbin Cave (阴宾洞): Visit the suspected dwelling place of the painters. (Suggested: 30 minutes)

Admission

Free entry.

Transportation

• By car: ~50 km (1 hour) from Yuanjiang county seat toward Qinglongchang Town.
• Public transit: Take a bus to Qinglongchang Town, then transfer to local transport to the site.

Food

Sample local specialties like wild mushrooms and ethnic minority cuisine.

Shopping

Browse ethnic handicrafts including Yi embroidery (彝族刺绣) and silver ornaments.

Accommodation

• Hotels: Various options in Yuanjiang county seat.
• Homestays: Experience ethnic culture at Take Village guesthouses.

Travel Tips

• Environment: Preserve the fragile site by avoiding littering.
• Cultural respect: Maintain quiet observation of these sacred artworks.

Itinerary Suggestion

• Day 1: Morning—Study the cliff paintings; afternoon—Explore Yinbin Cave.
• Day 2: Morning—Taste local delicacies; afternoon—Return.

The Take Cliff Paintings offer a rare window into humanity’s earliest artistic expressions. May your visit to Yuanjiang (元江) deepen your appreciation for Yunnan’s ancient cultural heritage!

For Chinese version please go to:
http://ylxf.yn.gov.cn/Html/News/2014/5/12/31646.html