Yezhi Village of Yezhi Town in Weixi County, Diqing

Yezhi Village (叶枝村) is located in Yezhi Town (叶枝镇), Weixi Lisu Autonomous County (维西傈僳族自治县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It serves as the central area of Yezhi Town . The town is situated in the upper reaches of the Lancang River (澜沧江), between the Yunling Mountains (云岭山脉) and the Biluo Snow Mountains (碧罗雪山山脉) in northern Weixi (维西). To the east, it borders Xiaruo Township (霞若乡) of Deqin County (德钦县) along the Yunling Mountains . To the south, it neighbors Kangpu Township (康普乡). To the west, it is bounded by the main range of the Biluo Snow Mountains and Cikai Town (茨开镇) of Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County (贡山独龙族怒族自治县), Nujiang Prefecture (怒江州). To the north, it adjoins Badi Township (巴迪乡). Yezhi Village is approximately 83 kilometers from the county seat of Weixi (维西).

Cultural History

The history of Yezhi Village  dates back to the Tang Dynasty (唐代). According to research, Yezhi (叶枝) was the ancient Yulicheng (聿赍城), one of the five garrison towns established by the Tubo (吐蕃) in 801 AD during the Zhenyuan era. In 1727, during the Qing Dynasty (清代), the Yun-Gui Governor Ortai petitioned to establish governance in Weixi (维西), and the Yezhi (叶枝) area was placed under the jurisdiction of Heqing Prefecture (鹤庆府) as part of the Weixi Subprefecture (维西厅). In August 2013, Yezhi Village  was listed in the second batch of China’s Traditional Villages.

Folk Customs

Yezhi Village (叶枝村) is a Lisu (傈僳族) settlement, with the Lisu (傈僳族) accounting for 68.7% of the population. The village is known for the Achimugua (阿尺木刮), a popular Lisu folk dance and song with unique ethnic style and cultural value. Additionally, Yezhi Village (叶枝村) preserves traditional Lisu  clothing and lifestyle customs.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Yezhi Town (叶枝镇) has a plateau monsoon climate with subtropical and temperate characteristics, featuring long winters and no summers, as well as a vertical climate. The annual average temperature is 13.8°C, with January averaging 6.9°C and July averaging 22.5°C. The best time to visit is during spring and autumn when the weather is pleasant and the scenery is at its most beautiful.

Recommended Attractions

  • Traditional Residential Architecture of Yezhi Village : Experience the traditional architectural style of the Lisu .
  • Scenery Along the Lancang River : The Lancang River  runs north-south through the area, offering picturesque riverbanks ideal for hiking and photography.
  • Former Residence of Warengbo: Learn about the life and contributions of Warengbo, the creator of the Lisu syllabic script.

Suggested Duration for Each Destination

  • Traditional Residential Architecture of Yezhi Village: Half a day to explore the local architectural culture.
  • Scenery Along the Lancang River : Half a day to enjoy the natural scenery.
  • Former Residence of Warengbo : 1-2 hours to immerse in the cultural atmosphere.

Transportation

  • Self-Driving: From the county seat of Weixi (维西), take the highway to Yezhi Town (叶枝镇) and then proceed to Yezhi Village , covering approximately 83 kilometers.
  • Public Transportation: Take a bus from Weixi County Bus Station (维西县客运站) to Yezhi Town, then transfer to local transportation.

Food

  • Traditional Lisu Cuisine: Such as Pisirou (琵瑟肉) and Zanba (糌粑).
  • Lancang RiverFish: Fresh and delicious.

Shopping

  • Ethnic Handicrafts: Such as wooden bowls and Zanba boxes (糌粑盒), featuring strong ethnic characteristics.
  • Local Specialties: Such as Weixi Baihua Honey (维西百花蜜) and Weixi Walnuts.

Accommodation

Yezhi Village and its surroundings offer Tibetan-style homestays with good facilities, allowing visitors to experience Tibetan culture.

Travel Tips

  • Respect Local Customs: Be mindful of Lisu religious beliefs and traditions.
  • Protect the Environment: Yezhi Village  has a pristine ecosystem; please help preserve it.
  • Safety Note: The roads to Yezhi Villageare rugged; drive carefully if self-driving.

Itinerary Suggestions

  • Day 1: Arrive in Yezhi Village , visit the traditional residential architecture, experience local folk culture, and enjoy traditional cuisine.
  • Day 2: Explore the scenery along the Lancang River ; in the afternoon, visit the former residence of Warengbo to soak in the cultural ambiance.
  • Day 3: Return to the county seat of Weixi or continue to other attractions.

Yezhi Village (叶枝村) is a place rich in ethnic charm and cultural heritage, ideal for travelers interested in folk culture and natural scenery. Here, you can experience the warm hospitality of the locals and appreciate the unique charm of ancient ethnic traditions. May your journey to Yezhi Village be fulfilling and leave you with unforgettable memories.