Cuihu Village of Sanchuan Town in Yongsheng County, Lijiang

Geographical Location

Ethnic Groups and Traditional Skills

Ethnic Composition

Traditional Skills

• Handicraft Weaving (手工编织): The handicraft weaving skill in Cuilake Village has a long history. Villagers use local abundant resources of bamboo and rattan to weave a variety of exquisite daily – use items such as bamboo baskets, rattan baskets, and bamboo chairs. The weaving technique is exquisite, with diverse patterns such as traditional meander and swastika patterns, reflecting the villagers’ wisdom and creativity. Visitors can watch the weaving process in the village’s handicraft workshops and even try it themselves to experience the fun of handicraft weaving.
• Traditional Farming Skills (传统农耕技艺): As an agricultural village, Cuilake Village has preserved traditional farming skills. From sowing, transplanting to harvesting, each step contains the experience accumulated by villagers over generations. For example, in the process of rice planting, a unique seedling – raising method is adopted to ensure the vigorous growth of seedlings. During harvesting, traditional agricultural tools such as sickles are used. Although modern mechanization has gradually become popular, these traditional farming methods are still preserved and passed down in specific agricultural activities.
• Traditional Brewing Skills (传统酿造技艺): The traditional brewing skills in the village are quite characteristic, especially in winemaking and making broad – bean paste. Villagers use traditional techniques to brew fragrant rice wine and rich – flavored broad – bean paste with local grains. The brewing process strictly follows traditional formulas and steps, from the selection of raw materials to fermentation and aging, each step is very particular. Visitors can visit the brewing workshops to taste authentic rice wine and broad – bean paste and feel the charm of traditional brewing skills.

Customs and Festivals

Daily Customs

• Dietary Customs (饮食习俗): The main staple food of Cuilake villagers is rice, accompanied by a variety of fresh vegetables and meats. The local specialties include Sanchuan ham, which is made from high – quality local pork and goes through multiple processes such as curing and air – drying, resulting in firm meat and rich flavor. In addition, there are local dishes such as copper hot pot, which is stewed with various ingredients in a copper pot and has a delicious taste. During meals, the family atmosphere is strong, with emphasis on seniority and respect for elders.
• Living Customs (居住习俗): The residential buildings in the village have a variety of styles, mainly traditional earth – wood – structure and brick – and – mortar – structure. The layout of the houses is regular, generally in the form of a courtyard house, with a courtyard in the middle used for drying crops and leisure activities. The courtyard is often planted with flowers and fruit trees to create a warm and comfortable living environment. Villagers have harmonious neighborly relations, helping each other and having a strong rural human touch.

Important Festivals

• Spring Festival (春节): Spring Festival is the most important festival in Cuilake Village. From the twelfth lunar month, every household begins to prepare New Year’s goods, clean the house, and paste Spring Festival couplets and door gods. On New Year’s Eve, the whole family gathers for the New Year’s Eve dinner and stays up late until the early morning. On the first day of the New Year, people put on new clothes, visit relatives and friends, and exchange greetings. During the festival, traditional folk activities such as dragon and lion dances and lantern performances are held, creating a lively atmosphere.
• Dragon Boat Festival (端午节): During the Dragon Boat Festival, villagers make zongzi with a variety of fillings such as red dates, red bean paste, and salted egg yolk. They also hang calamus and mugwort at the door to ward off evil and disasters. Children wear fragrant bags filled with realgar and spices, which are believed to have the effect of repelling insects and evil spirits.
• Torch Festival (火把节): Although the Torch Festival is a traditional festival of the Yi ethnic group, some ethnic minorities in Cuilake Village also celebrate it. On the twenty – fourth day of the sixth lunar month, villagers light a huge torch in the center of the village and dance around the torch to pray for peace and a good harvest. Young men and women enhance their feelings through singing and dancing during the Torch Festival.

Ancient Architecture

Traditional Residences

Ancient Bridges and Roads

Tourism Resources

Natural Scenery

• Rural Landscape (田园风光): The surrounding area of Cuilake Village is covered with vast farmland, with different scenery in each season. In spring, the golden rape flowers bloom, contrasting with the tender green wheat seedlings to form a beautiful rural picture. In summer, the green rice fields stretch as far as the eye can see, with rice waves rippling in the breeze. In autumn, the rice fields are filled with the fragrance of ripe grains, presenting a scene of harvest. In winter, although the fields are a bit desolate, the distant mountains and fields still have a unique quiet beauty. Visitors can walk along the rural paths, enjoy the rural scenery, and feel the charm of nature.
• Cuilake Scenery (翠湖景观): The village is named after Cuilake, a natural lake with clear water and green trees around it. The lake is home to various fish and water birds, making it a good place to enjoy the natural scenery and bird – watching. In the early morning, the lake is covered with a thin mist, like a fairyland. In the evening, the setting sun’s afterglow sprinkles on the lake surface, creating a shimmering and breathtaking view. Visitors can take a walk or go fishing by the lake to enjoy a leisurely time.

Cultural Scenery

• Traditional Skill Experience (传统技艺体验): Visitors can go into villagers’ homes to learn handicraft weaving and traditional brewing skills, participate in the production process, and feel the charm of traditional skills. They can also visit the traditional farming display area to learn about traditional farming culture and experience farming activities such as transplanting and harvesting, feeling the hard work of farmers.
• Ancient Architecture Tour (古建筑游览): Visit traditional residences, ancient bridges, and roads to appreciate the historical and cultural connotations of Cuilake Village. With the guide’s explanation, learn about the stories and cultural meanings behind the ancient buildings. Some residences have been transformed into folk museums, displaying local historical relics and folk customs, allowing visitors to have a comprehensive understanding of the history and culture of Cuilake Village.

Leisure and Entertainment

• Farm – Stay Experience (农家乐体验): There are many farm – stays around Cuilake Village, where visitors can taste authentic local dishes such as Sanchuan ham and copper hot pot. Farm – stays also offer accommodation services, allowing visitors to experience the tranquility and comfort of rural life. In addition, some farm – stays have leisure and entertainment facilities such as card rooms and picking gardens, where visitors can relax while having fun.
• Folk Activity Participation (民俗活动参与): Participate in traditional folk activities in the village, such as dragon and lion dances during the Spring Festival and dragon boat races during the Dragon Boat Festival. Interact with villagers in the activities to feel the strong festive atmosphere and experience local folk culture. You can also join traditional handicraft competitions and agricultural sports activities to add fun to your trip.

Transportation Guide

External Transportation

• By Air (飞机): First, arrive at Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, which is about 100 kilometers away from Yongsheng County. You can take a special – line bus to Yongsheng County at the airport, or take an airport shuttle to Lijiang city center and then transfer to a bus to Yongsheng County. After arriving in Yongsheng County, you can take a rural passenger vehicle or charter a vehicle to Cuilake Village at the county town passenger station.
• By Car (汽车): Departing from nearby cities, you can take a long – distance bus directly to Yongsheng County Passenger Station. Yongsheng County has frequent bus services to surrounding cities such as Lijiang and Dali. After arriving in Yongsheng County, transfer to a vehicle heading to Cuilake Village in Sanchuan Town.

Internal Transportation

• Rural Passenger Transport (农村客运): Yongsheng County Passenger Station has rural passenger vehicles heading to Sanchuan Town. After arriving in Sanchuan Town, you can transfer to a minibus or van to Cuilake Village. The operating hours and schedules of rural passenger vehicles can be inquired at the local passenger station.
• Chartering a Car (包车): If you have a large group or prefer the convenience of travel, you can choose to charter a vehicle in Yongsheng County town or Sanchuan Town to Cuilake Village. The charter price can be negotiated with the driver and usually depends on the distance and type of vehicle.
• Self – driving (自驾): If you choose to drive yourself, you can set the destination to Cuilake Village via a navigation software. Departing from Lijiang city center, drive along the Liyong Highway, which has good road conditions. After entering Sanchuan Town, follow the indicator to reach Cuilake Village. During the drive, you can enjoy the scenery along the way, but be sure to follow traffic rules.