Luote Laozhai Village of Jinuoshan Town in Jinghong City, XishuangBanna
Chinese Name: 西双版纳傣族自治州景洪市基诺山基诺族乡洛特老寨村
English Name: Luote Laozhai Village or Lot Old Village of Jinuoshan Town in Jinghong City, Xishuangbanna
Geographic Location and Environment
- Affiliation: The Lot Old Village community group is part of the Lot Village Committee under the Kachin Mountain Kachin Ethnic Township.
- Location: Located east of the Kachin Township People’s Government, 8 km from the village committee, and 14 km from the township government.
- Area: 1.46 square kilometers
- Altitude: 1200 meters
- Climate: Average annual temperature of 18-20°C, with annual precipitation of 1400 mm, suitable for growing rice, corn, and other crops.
- Farmland: 399 acres, with an average of 2.75 acres per person.
- Forested Land: 1589 acres, including 1198 acres of rubber, 39 acres of tea, and 78 acres of cardamom.
- Economy: Farmers primarily earn income from tea and cardamom.
Culture and History
- Kachin Ethnicity: Lot Old Village is a traditional cultural experience site for the Kachin people and the birthplace of Kachin culture. The Kachin are the last confirmed ethnic minority in China, making them the 56th recognized ethnic group.
- Tea Culture: The area is one of the “Six Great Tea Mountains” in Xishuangbanna, renowned for producing “Yule Tea.”
- Intangible Cultural Heritage: Home to the national intangible cultural heritage “Big Drum Dance.”
Natural Scenery and Village Layout
- Natural Environment: Lot Old Village is nestled in the lush forests of Kachin Mountain, with the Kachin ethnic origin site, Jiejue Mountain, as its backdrop. The village is located in a mountainous region surrounded by verdant hills, offering pleasant scenery. It is enveloped by dense, original forests and enjoys a favorable climate with frequent monsoons, strong sunlight, and abundant rainfall.
- Village Layout: The village is built along a hillside, with houses scattered along a main road according to the terrain. The traditional stilt-style architecture uses rough wood for beams and columns and avoids metal connections. The village is surrounded by dense original forest, showcasing a unique tropical rainforest landscape.
Protection and Development
- Traditional Village Protection: Lot Old Village was listed as one of the first batch of Chinese traditional villages in 2012 and was designated as a provincial ecological ancient village key protection “Beautiful Countryside” in early 2013. The Yunnan Urban and Rural Planning and Design Institute was invited to develop the “Lot Old Village Traditional Village Protection and Development Plan,” under the guidance of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Housing and Urban-Rural Development. The plan focuses on preserving traditional Kachin architecture and enhancing Kachin cultural characteristics.
- Planning Focus: The plan emphasizes the protection of the village’s integrity and authenticity, including the natural landscape, village appearance, and intangible cultural heritage resources. It aims to position Lot Old Village as a traditional settlement primarily focused on agriculture, large-leaf tea, and cardamom production, with supplementary aspects of cultural display and rural tourism.
Cultural Experience and Activities
- Festivals: The Kachin’s largest festival is “Temok,” similar to the Han Chinese New Year. During this festive time, villagers celebrate with traditional performances such as the “Big Drum Dance,” filled with joy and laughter.
- Traditional Culture: The village retains traditional Kachin culture, including the Big Drum Dance, slash-and-burn agriculture, cardamom production, Kachin clothing, and tea culture. The Big Drum Dance integrates dance, music, and folk customs, showcasing the Kachin’s cultural richness.
- Folk Arts: Includes Kachin folk songs and the traditional musical instrument “Qike.” The village features numerous traditional dances, such as the Big Drum Dance《大鼓舞》, “Guo Yao Na《蝈摇呐》,” “Temok《特懋妞》,” “Zheke Chui《遮科追》,” “Bamboo Pole Dance《竹竿舞》,” and “Weaving Dance《织布舞》”.
Summary
Lot Old Village offers stunning natural scenery and a rich preservation of Kachin traditional culture and customs. Through its protection and development plan, Lot Old Village strives to maintain its unique cultural and ecological values, making it an ideal destination for experiencing Kachin culture and understanding its history.
