Village of Bai Ethnic Minority in Yunnan Ethnic Villages, Kunming
Overview
Yunnan Ethnic Villages (云南民族村) is located on the southwest outskirts of Kunming (昆明), Yunnan Province (云南省), by the shores of Dianchi Lake (滇池). Covering an area of 89 hectares, it is a showcase of the social and cultural customs of 26 ethnic groups in Yunnan. It is a national AAAA-rated tourist attraction, a base for ethnic culture, and one of the first national points for ethnic work contacts. The Bai ethnic minority village (白族村) is the largest among all the ethnic villages in Yunnan Ethnic Villages (云南民族村).
The Bai ethnic group (白族) is one of Yunnan’s indigenous ethnicities, with a population of 1.93 million, primarily concentrated in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture (大理白族自治州). The Bai people (白族) have a long history and rich culture. Their folk arts, such as the “Bawang Whip” dance (霸王鞭舞), “Straw Hat Dance” (草帽舞), and “Daben Song” (大本曲), are filled with joy and celebration. Their traditional festivals include the lively “March Street” (三月街), “Around Three Spirits” (绕三灵), and “Welcoming the Bride” (迎新娘). The Bai’s traditional “Three-Course Tea” (三道茶) is a unique cultural tea ritual, representing one of the most distinctive tea cultures among Chinese minorities.
Architecture and Attractions
The Bai Ethnic Village (白族村) covers an area of 62.5 acres. It features traditional Bai-style residential buildings with upturned eaves, intricate carvings, and painted beams. Architectural highlights include the “San Fang Yi Zhao Bi” (三坊一照壁) (Three Rooms and One Wall), “Si He Wu Tian Jing” (四合五天井) (Four Houses with Five Courtyards), wooden carving houses, garden tea houses, opera stages, and the “Ben Zhu Temple” (本主庙). Additionally, there is a scaled-down version (one-fourth of the original size) of Dali’s famous “Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple” (崇圣寺三塔). The village’s layout is spacious, orderly, and elegant, with courtyards set one after another.
A major street called “Dali Street” (大理街) runs through the village, lined with shops selling exquisite handicrafts and traditional Bai snacks. Along this street, visitors can explore the Folklore Museum (民俗博物馆) and the Nanhua Village Silver and Copperware Store (南华村银铜器商店), offering local crafts.
Traditional Festivals
The “March Street” festival (三月街) is a grand and ancient Bai tradition, described as “one market every thousand years, one street that spans a millennium.” During this festival, markets are set up, drawing countless merchants. They trade in local products, traditional herbs, livestock, and daily necessities. Other major events include traditional horse racing, dragon boat racing, archery, swing competitions, and performances of “Daben Song” (大本曲) and “Dongjing Ancient Music” (洞经古乐), as well as ethnic song and dance performances. Other Bai festivals include the Torch Festival (火把节), Around Three Spirits (绕三灵), Shibao Mountain Song Festival (石宝山歌会), Jianchuan Mule Fair (剑川骡马会), and the Ben Zhu Festival (本主节).
Bai Architecture
Bai traditional residential architecture is highly regarded in the construction world. The Bai’s “San Fang Yi Zhao Bi” (三坊一照壁) (Three Rooms and One Wall) and “Si He Wu Tian Jing” (四合五天井) (Four Houses with Five Courtyards) are both practical and aesthetically pleasing. The white-walled, black-tiled courtyards feature wood carvings, painted designs, stone engravings, and plaster art that rival the gardens of southern China and the grand homes of the north.
Visitors can also see the “Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple” (崇圣寺三塔), which have been reduced to one-fourth their original size for the village display. The pagodas reflect the charm and historic architecture of the Dali (大理) region.
Cultural Experiences
The Bai (白族) are known for their hospitality. When receiving guests, the Bai people follow the custom of offering tea and alcohol. Their famous “Three-Course Tea” (三道茶) is a traditional way of honoring guests. Interestingly, the Bai people only fill a cup of tea halfway, as they believe that filling it to the top is disrespectful. In contrast, they fill alcohol cups to the brim, as full cups are a sign of respect. When you are treated warmly by the Bai, it is polite to say “Nuowei Ni” (诺为尼) (Thank you) to express your gratitude.
Respect for elders is a key virtue among the Bai people (白族). When encountering older people, one is expected to greet them, make way for them, offer seats, and serve them tea or cigarettes. The family’s hearth is considered sacred, and it is forbidden to spit into the fire or step over it.
Major Attractions in the Village
- San Fang Yi Zhao Bi (三坊一照壁) – A traditional Bai courtyard with three houses and one decorative wall.
- Si He Wu Tian Jing (四合五天井) – A layout with four houses and five courtyards.
- Ben Zhu Temple (本主庙) – A temple dedicated to the Bai people’s deity, Ben Zhu (本主).
- Dali Street (大理街) – A street offering local crafts and Bai snacks.
- Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (崇圣寺三塔) – A one-fourth scale replica of the famous Dali pagodas.
- Garden Tea House (园林茶室) – A place to enjoy traditional Bai “Three-Course Tea” (三道茶).
- Opera Stage (戏台) – A traditional stage where local performances are held.
- Butterfly Garden (蝴蝶园) – A small garden filled with beautiful butterflies.
- Folklore Museum (民俗博物馆) – A museum showcasing Bai customs, crafts, and heritage.
Bai Culture and Art
The village’s art and craftsmanship are on full display, from intricately carved wood decorations to colorful paintings. Skilled local artisans can often be seen at work, applying gold leaf to wood carvings. Even the temples exude an artistic charm, filled with poetry, paintings, and carvings.
The Bai (白族) also take great pride in their folk arts, such as the “Bawang Whip” dance (霸王鞭舞) and “Straw Hat Dance” (草帽舞). These performances often feature during festival times and add a lively, joyous atmosphere to the village. Another unique art form is the “Daben Song” (大本曲), a Bai opera-like performance filled with historical tales and local stories.
Culinary Delights
The Bai (白族) people are famous for their local snacks, and the village offers visitors a chance to sample some of their best-known dishes. One must-try item is roasted milk fan (烤乳扇), a traditional Yunnan snack made from milk, and one of Yunnan’s “Eighteen Strange Things” (云南十八怪) – as locals say, “Milk sold in pieces” (牛奶做成片片卖).
Grilled Erkuai (烤饵块) is another popular snack, a type of chewy rice cake that is grilled and served with various toppings. In the village, visitors can also try Bai stir-fried cool powder (白族炒凉粉), roast bamboo sticky rice (竹筒饭) (a Dai ethnic dish 傣族菜), and the famous roasted milk fan (烤乳扇).
Handicrafts
Yunnan (云南) is well-known for its jade, even though jade is not native to the region. The saying goes, “Jade comes from Burma” (玉出缅甸), but Yunnan has become China’s largest hub for jade trading. Jade gambling (赌石) is a centuries-old industry here, with the saying “one cut makes you rich, one cut leaves you poor overnight” (一刀穷一刀富), reflecting the high risks and rewards of the jade trade.
Visitors can also explore Bai embroidery shops (白族刺绣店), tie-dye workshops (扎染作坊), and other artisan stalls that showcase the region’s rich handicraft traditions.
Cultural Sayings and Inscriptions
Throughout the village, you can find many poetic inscriptions and artistic displays, such as:
- Cang’er Yuxiu (苍洱毓秀) (The Elegance of Cangshan and Erhai) – An inscription on the wall of the village.
- Song of the Double Cranes (双鹤之歌) – A relief sculpture in the village.
- “Deze Canger” (德泽苍洱) (Virtue Nourishes Cangshan and Erhai) – A plaque in the main hall of the temple.
- “Cang’er Yuxiu” (苍洱毓秀) (Cangshan and Erhai Nurture Beauty) – A decorative text found throughout the village.
This traditional village provides a glimpse into the ancient and rich heritage of the Bai people (白族) and their unique contributions to Yunnan’s diverse cultural tapestry.
