Culture of Yulong County in Lijiang

Yulong County (玉龙县) is located in Lijiang City (丽江市), Yunnan Province (云南省). As a multi-ethnic region, it is primarily inhabited by several minority groups including the Naxi (纳西族), Yi (彝族), Bai (白族), and Lisu (傈僳族) peoples. The area boasts not only stunning natural scenery but also profound cultural heritage with diverse ethnic cultural resources. Below are the main cultural characteristics of Yulong County:

I. Naxi Culture

The Naxi people are one of the main ethnic groups in Yulong County, with a rich and colorful culture of unique charm.

1. Dongba Culture (东巴文化)

Dongba culture is the ancient and distinctive cultural system of the Naxi people, encompassing Dongba script (东巴文字), Dongba paintings (东巴绘画), Dongba music (东巴音乐), and Dongba dance (东巴舞蹈). The Dongba script is the world’s only still-used pictographic writing system, hailed as a “living hieroglyph.” Dongba paintings showcase the religious beliefs and daily life of the Naxi people through their unique style and rich content.

2. Naxi Ancient Music (纳西古乐)

Naxi ancient music is traditional Naxi music renowned for its long history and distinctive style. It incorporates musical elements from Han (汉族), Tibetan (藏族), Bai (白族) and other ethnic groups, primarily featuring instruments like flutes (笛子), erhu (二胡), and pipa (琵琶). Representative pieces include “Baisha Fine Music” (白沙细乐) and “Dongjing Music” (洞经音乐), which are performed during important Naxi festivals and ceremonies.

3. Naxi Traditional Architecture

Naxi traditional architecture features a unique style that blends characteristics from Han, Tibetan and other ethnic architectural traditions. Typical Naxi dwellings are mostly earth-wood structures with rational layouts and exquisite decorations. The ancient Naxi residences in Lijiang Old Town (丽江古城) exemplify this architectural style with exceptionally high artistic value.

II. Yi Culture

The Yi people are another significant ethnic group in Yulong County with equally rich and diverse culture.

1. Yi Torch Festival (彝族火把节)

The Torch Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals of the Yi people, usually held on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month. People light torches symbolizing the dispelling of evil and prayers for happiness. The festival features various cultural activities such as Yi song and dance performances and wrestling competitions.

2. Yi Embroidery (彝族刺绣)

Yi embroidery is famous for its vibrant colors and rich patterns. Yi women excel at embroidery, creating works that decorate clothing and various daily items. The patterns often feature natural elements and animals, possessing high artistic value.

III. Bai Culture

The Bai people also inhabit Yulong County, with their own unique cultural charm.

1. Bai March Fair (白族三月街)

The March Fair is a traditional Bai festival held annually from the 15th to the 20th day of the third lunar month. It serves as an important occasion for material exchange and cultural entertainment among the Bai people, featuring rich song and dance performances and traditional handicraft exhibitions.

2. Bai Embroidery (白族刺绣)

Bai embroidery is renowned for its exquisite craftsmanship and beautiful patterns. Bai women are skilled embroiderers, creating works that adorn clothing and various daily items. The patterns often depict flowers and animals in vibrant colors with high artistic value.

IV. Lisu Culture

The Lisu people also reside in Yulong County with their own rich cultural traditions.

1. Lisu Knife-Pole Festival (傈僳族刀杆节)

The Knife-Pole Festival is an important traditional Lisu festival, usually held on the eighth day of the second lunar month. During the festival, people perform thrilling acts like “climbing the knife mountain and descending into the fire sea,” symbolizing bravery and fearlessness.

2. Lisu Song and Dance (傈僳族歌舞)

Lisu song and dance are famous for their unique style and rich content. Lisu dances feature bold movements and lively rhythms, often performed during important festivals and ceremonies.

V. Religious Culture

Yulong County also boasts diverse religious culture, primarily including Dongba religion and Buddhism.

1. Dongba Religion (东巴教)

Dongba religion is the traditional faith of the Naxi people, with doctrines and rituals closely connected to Naxi daily life. Dongba priests, known as Dongba (东巴), preserve Naxi cultural and religious knowledge as inheritors of Dongba culture.

2. Buddhism (佛教)

Buddhism is also widely practiced in Yulong County, with many well-preserved temples and pagodas. For example, Jinshan Temple (金山寺) is a historic Buddhist temple with unique architectural style housing many precious Buddhist artifacts.

VI. Traditional Festivals

Each ethnic group in Yulong County has its own unique traditional festivals, which serve as important vehicles for cultural transmission and opportunities for visitors to experience local culture.

1. Naxi “Sanduo Festival” (纳西族”三多节”)

The Sanduo Festival is a traditional Naxi holiday held annually from the 15th to the 20th day of the third lunar month. As an important Naxi festival, it serves as an occasion for material exchange and cultural entertainment, featuring rich displays of ethnic culture such as Naxi ancient music, Dongba dance and Leba dance performances.

2. Yi Torch Festival (彝族火把节)

The Torch Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals of the Yi people, usually held on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month, featuring various cultural activities.

3. Bai March Fair (白族三月街)

The March Fair is a traditional Bai festival held annually from the 15th to the 20th day of the third lunar month, featuring rich cultural performances.

4. Lisu Knife-Pole Festival (傈僳族刀杆节)

The Knife-Pole Festival is an important traditional Lisu festival usually held on the eighth day of the second lunar month, featuring thrilling performances.

VII. Cultural Preservation and Protection

Yulong County places high importance on cultural preservation and promotion through various methods.

1. Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection

Yulong County has many intangible cultural heritage items such as Naxi Dongba culture, Yi embroidery, and Bai embroidery. Local authorities protect and promote these heritages through cultural protection zones and inheritor training programs.

2. Cultural Display and Tourism

Through cultural tourism development, Yulong County showcases its rich cultural resources to visitors. Tourists can appreciate Naxi Dongba culture and Baisha murals (白沙壁画) in Lijiang Old Town and Baisha Ancient Town (白沙古镇), and experience Naxi folk activities and traditional crafts at Lashi Lake (拉市海) and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山).