Xiangyang Village of Wenhua Sub-district in Gucheng District, Lijiang

Geographical Location

Ethnic Groups and Traditional Skills

Ethnic Composition (民族构成)

Traditional Skills (传统技艺)

• Naxi Handicraft Textile (纳西族手工纺织): Naxi women have inherited the ancient handicraft of textile – making. Using traditional wooden looms, they spin cotton grown locally or wool collected into yarn and weave it into cloth. During the weaving process, they employ techniques such as pattern – picking and embroidery to create auspicious patterns on the fabric, such as sun, moon, stars, flowers, birds, fish, and insects. These textiles are not only used for making daily clothing but also become handicrafts with a strong ethnic flavor.
• Yi Embroidery (彝族刺绣): Yi embroidery is characterized by its distinct style and vibrant colors. Yi women use needles as their brushes and threads as their ink to embroider various exquisite patterns on the fabric, covering topics such as Yi myths and legends, historical stories, and scenes from daily life. With a variety of embroidery techniques, including flat embroidery, lock embroidery, and seed embroidery, the embroidered pieces are often used to decorate the collars, cuffs, and hems of Yi clothing, as well as to make handkerchiefs and bags, with high artistic value.
• Bamboo Weaving (竹编工艺): Bamboo weaving, integrating the characteristics of multiple ethnic groups, is also very popular in this area. Villagers select high – quality bamboo grown locally and go through processes such as splitting bamboo, removing joints, layering, boiling, and weaving to make practical items like bamboo baskets, containers, and chairs, as well as exquisite bamboo – woven handicrafts. The bamboo weaving patterns are rich and varied, with unique shapes, reflecting the villagers’ wisdom and creativity.

Customs and Festivals

Daily Customs (日常习俗)

• Dietary Customs (饮食习俗): The diet of Xiangyang villagers integrates the characteristics of multiple ethnic groups. The main food consists of rice and noodles, while Naxi dishes such as smoked pork ribs and baba, Bai dishes such as Three – Course Tea and raw pork, and Yi dishes such as Toto Meat are also common on the villagers’ tables. In terms of dining etiquette, the Naxi tradition of respecting the elderly and honoring the elders is deeply rooted. Younger generations must wait for their elders to start eating before they can begin.
• Living Customs (居住习俗): Influenced by the traditional architectural styles of various ethnic groups, the village features both typical Naxi “Three Rooms and One Screen Wall” and “Four – Courtyard and Five Sky – wells” earth – wood – structure houses and Bai – style buildings with blue tiles, white walls, and upturned eaves. The layout of the houses focuses on integration with the natural environment, with flowers and fruit trees planted in the courtyards to create a comfortable and pleasant living atmosphere.

Important Festivals (重要节日)

• Sanduo Festival (三朵节): On the eighth day of the second lunar month every year, the Naxi people celebrate the grand Sanduo Festival to worship their ethnic protector god “Sanduo”. Naxi villagers in Xiangyang Village dress in their finest clothes and go to the nearby Sanduo Temple to offer rich sacrifices, praying for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and prosperity of livestock. After the sacrifice, everyone gathers together to perform traditional dances such as Ali Li and Dajiao, creating a lively atmosphere.
• Torch Festival (火把节): On the twenty – fourth day of the sixth lunar month, the Yi, Bai, and other ethnic groups jointly celebrate the Torch Festival. On that evening, every household sets up a tall torch in front of their door, made of pine torches and firewood, and decorated with colorful flags. As night falls, the torches are lit. Villagers hold small torches and parade around the big torch, chanting blessings. Subsequently, a grand bonfire party is held, with people singing and dancing around the bonfire, creating a spectacular scene.
• March Street (三月街): Originally a grand festival and market of the Bai people, March Street is now participated in by all ethnic groups in Xiangyang Village and the surrounding areas. From the fifteenth to the twenty – first day of the third lunar month every year, people dress in their ethnic costumes and gather together. During this period, there are large – scale material exchange activities, as well as sports and cultural activities such as horse racing, dragon boat racing, and song and dance performances, creating a lively atmosphere.

Ancient Architecture

Traditional Residences

Ancient Bridges and Roads

Tourism Resources

Natural Scenery

• Rural Landscape (田园风光): Xiangyang Village is surrounded by vast and fertile farmlands with different scenery in each season. In spring, the fields are full of tender green wheat seedlings and fava bean seedlings, presenting a scene of vitality. In summer, the golden rapeseed flowers and plump rice panicles sway in the wind, showing the hope of harvest. In autumn, the rice fields are fragrant with a golden carpet covering the earth. In winter, although the farmland looks a bit desolate, the distant mountains and the farmland form a quiet ink – wash painting. Visitors can walk in the fields, participate in agricultural activities, and experience the fun of rural life.
• Forest Landscape (山林景观): The surrounding area of the village has vast forest land with a high forest coverage rate and a wide variety of trees. Walking in the forest, you can breathe fresh air, admire various rare plants, and hear the cheerful songs of birds. There are also some clear streams in the forest, with gurgling water adding a touch of liveliness. In summer, it is an ideal place to cool off. In autumn, the mountains covered with red leaves are poetic and picturesque, attracting many photography enthusiasts.
• Jinsha River Scenery (金沙江风光): Adjacent to the Jinsha River, Xiangyang Village boasts a unique landscape. The river rushes ceaselessly, with magnificent scenery on both banks. At specific vantage points, visitors can overlook the mighty momentum of the Jinsha River. During sunrise and sunset, the golden sunlight shimmers on the river surface, creating a breathtaking view.

Cultural Scenery

• Cultural Experience (民族文化体验): Visitors can delve into the homes of different ethnic groups to experience their daily lives. Learn traditional handicrafts such as handicraft textile – making, Yi embroidery, and bamboo weaving, taste ethnic – specific cuisine, and feel the unique atmosphere of harmonious coexistence of multiple ethnic groups. The village also regularly holds cultural activities such as ethnic song and dance performances and traditional handicraft displays, in which visitors can actively participate to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture.
• Ancient Architecture Tour (古建筑游览): Visit the traditional residences, ancient bridges, and roads in the village to appreciate the integration of multiple ethnic architectural styles and learn about their historical and cultural background. Some residences have been transformed into folk museums or guesthouses, where visitors can stay and experience a combination of tradition and modernity.

Leisure and Entertainment

• Picking Experience (采摘体验): The fruit – growing industry in Quhe Town is well – developed, and there are many orchards around Xiangyang Village. During the fruit – ripening season, visitors can go to the orchards to participate in picking activities. They can pick fresh peaches, citrus fruits, cherries, plums, and other fruits by themselves, taste the sweetness of nature’s gifts, and experience the joy of harvest. Some orchards also offer farmhouse services, where visitors can enjoy the tranquility and comfort of the countryside while tasting farmhouse dishes.
• Guesthouse Leisure (民宿休闲): With the development of rural tourism, a number of characteristic guesthouses have emerged around Xiangyang Village. These guesthouses are mostly transformed from traditional residences, preserving the ethnic architectural style while being equipped with modern facilities. Visitors can relax in the guesthouse courtyard, drink tea, and enjoy the sunshine. They can also communicate with the guesthouse owners to learn about the local customs. Some guesthouses also offer special experience activities such as handicraft making and agricultural activities, making the trip more colorful.