Songping Lisu and Yi Ethnic Town of Yongsheng County in Lijiang
I. Location
Yongsheng County Songping Lisu and Yi Nationality Township (永胜县松坪傈僳族彝族乡) is located in the northwest of Yongsheng County (永胜县), Lijiang City (丽江市), Yunnan Province (云南省). It borders Guanghua Township (光华乡) to the east, Da’an Township (大安乡) to the south, Gucheng District (古城区) to the west, and Ninglang County (宁蒗县) to the north. The township covers an area of 290.8 square kilometers, with eight village committees and 49 villagers’ groups, and a total population of about 8,700 people. Six ethnic groups, including Lisu (傈僳族), Pumi (普米族), Yi (彝族), Zhuang (壮族), Naxi (纳西族), and Han (汉族), live here. The ethnic minority population accounts for 98.5%, with Lisu people making up 73%.
II. Ethnic Groups and Their Traditional Skills, Customs, and Festivals
A. Ethnic Groups and Traditional Skills
Songping Township (松坪乡) is home to multiple ethnic groups who live in harmony and preserve their unique traditional lifestyles and cultural arts. The Lisu people are skilled in playing the Hulusi (葫芦笙) and weaving Huocao cloth (火草布), while the Pumi people have distinctive traditional costumes and the “Cuocuo” dance (搓蹉). These skills and cultural forms are part of the local intangible cultural heritage.
B. Customs and Festivals
Each ethnic group has a rich variety of customs and festivals. For example, the Lisu people celebrate the Knife-Pole Festival (刀杆节) and Harvest Festival (收获节). During the Knife-Pole Festival, people perform thrilling activities such as climbing the knife-pole and walking on fire, praying for peace and a good harvest. The Harvest Festival is a celebration of the successful crop harvest, with people singing and dancing to share their joy. The Pumi people’s Mountain Turning Festival (转山节) is also very unique. At that time, people gather at the foot of the sacred mountain to worship the mountain god, praying for favorable weather and a good harvest.
III. Ancient Architecture
Kanmao Village (看牦牛村) has preserved 117 Naxi traditional log cabins (纳西族木楞房). These log cabins are a traditional form of Naxi architecture with unique architectural styles and cultural connotations. They are listed as a key cultural relic protection unit in Lijiang City (丽江市) and are a secret place of Naxi culture in Lijiang. Walking through Kanmao Village (看牦牛村) feels like traveling back in time, allowing you to experience the ancient lifestyle and cultural heritage of the Naxi people.
IV. Historical Figures
Songping Township (松坪乡) has a long history and rich cultural traditions, giving birth to many outstanding historical figures. The most well-known are the heroes of the “Lama” and “Milin” guerrilla teams (“喇嘛”“米厘”游击队). They fought bravely on this land for the liberation of the nation and the happiness of the people, leaving touching red stories. The township has established a Red Culture Memorial Hall (红色文化纪念展厅) to display the deeds of these heroes, allowing people to remember history and carry forward the red spirit.
V. Tourist Attractions
A. Natural Scenery
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Changping Mountain (长坪山) Primitive Forest and Alpine Meadows: Changping Mountain (长坪山) runs through Songping Township (松坪乡) from north to south. The mountain features alpine meadows and rhododendron flower seas, creating a spectacular view. Every spring and early summer, rhododendrons bloom, and cattle and sheep graze leisurely on the meadows, forming a charming autumnal pastoral scene.
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Songping Gully (松坪沟): Songping Gully (松坪沟) is a great place for hiking and family travel, with attractions such as Cui Zhu Gully (翠竹沟) and Pearl Beach Waterfall (珍珠滩瀑布). The journey along the way is accompanied by mountains and water, with fresh air, making it an ideal place to get close to nature.
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Bai Shi Hai (白石海) and Mo Hai (墨海): Bai Shi Hai (白石海) is the largest lake in the scenic area, named after a mysterious white stone by the lake. Mo Hai (墨海) is famous for its deep blue color, resembling ink.
B. Cultural Attractions
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Ethnic Traditional Culture: Songping Township (松坪乡) is home to multiple ethnic groups, including Lisu (傈僳族), Naxi (纳西族), and Pumi (普米族), who live in harmony and preserve their unique traditional lifestyles and cultural arts. For example, the Lisu people are skilled in playing the Hulusi (葫芦笙) and weaving Huocao cloth (火草布), while the Pumi people have distinctive traditional costumes and the “Cuocuo” dance (搓蹉).
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Traditional Village: Kanmao Village (看牦牛村) has preserved 117 Naxi traditional log cabins (纳西族木楞房), which are listed as a key cultural relic protection unit in Lijiang City (丽江市) and are a secret place of Naxi culture in Lijiang.
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Red Culture Memorial Hall: Songping Township (松坪乡) has established a Red Culture Memorial Hall (红色文化纪念展厅) to display the deeds of the heroes of the “Lama” and “Milin” guerrilla teams (“喇嘛”“米厘”游击队).
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Rural Tourism Route: The rural tourism route from Jin’an Bridge (金安桥) to Changping (长坪) is actively developed by Songping Township (松坪乡). There are many folk intangible cultural heritage workshops along the way, where tourists can experience the local cultural arts.
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Special Events: Songping Township (松坪乡) holds a cultural and artistic festival every year, attracting people from various ethnic groups to participate and display the local ethnic culture.
VI. Transportation
To get to Songping Township (松坪乡) from Lijiang City (丽江市), you can choose to drive or take public transportation. If you drive along the G318 National Highway (G318国道), the total distance is about 50 kilometers and it will take approximately 1 hour. If you choose public transportation, you can take a bus to Songping Township (松坪乡) at Lijiang Passenger Station (丽江客运站). There are several bus trips every day, and the journey takes about 1.5 hours.
Songping Township (松坪乡) has a rich variety of tourist resources, including natural beauty and profound cultural connotations. It is a rural tourism destination worth exploring. Here, you can admire the magnificent natural scenery, experience the unique ethnic culture, and feel the strong rural atmosphere, making it a memorable journey.
