Dacun Village of Tuoding Town in Deqin County, Diqing
The (大村村委会) Dacun Village Committee is located in the (迪庆藏族自治州) Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, (德钦县) Deqin County, in (拖顶傈僳族乡) Tuoding Lisu Ethnic Township. It lies in the southern part of (德钦县) Deqin County, to the east, it is connected by the (金沙江) Jinsha River to (香格里拉市) Shangri-La City’s (五境乡) Wujing Township. To the south, it borders (维西县) Weixi County’s (塔城镇) Tacheng Town, to the west, it adjoins (霞若乡) Xiashuo Township, and to the north, it is near (奔子栏镇) Benzilan Town. Dacun Village, named for its large area, is one of the important administrative villages under the jurisdiction of (拖顶傈僳族乡) Tuoding Lisu Ethnic Township.
Cultural History
Dacun has a long history and is a famous historical settlement along the (滇藏) Yunnan-Tibet and (康缅) Kangmian Ancient Tea Horse Road. According to legend, during the end of the (隋朝) Sui Dynasty and the beginning of the (唐朝) Tang Dynasty, the ancestor (星龙鱼三氏) Xing Longyu San Clan arrived here to hunt to escape from war, which led to the village’s name. Dacun was first established during the (唐贞观) Tang Zhen Guan era, over 1,300 years ago. In November 2014, Dacun was included in the third batch of traditional Chinese village listings. Furthermore, it was selected for the (云南省) Yunnan Province Health Village List in 2020, the (云南省) Yunnan Province Beautiful Village (County-level) in 2021, and the (云南省) Yunnan Province Rural Revitalization “Hundred, Thousand, Ten Thousand” Project for Beautiful Villages in 2022.
Customs and Traditions
Dacun is the cultural heart of the Lisu ethnic community, rich in ethnic culture. Here, there are world intangible heritage items like the (东巴文化) Dongba Culture, (岭格萨尔) Ling Gesar (Lisu Gold), Tibetan Five-Flavored Bath (藏医五味浴散), as well as national-level intangible heritage items such as the Dacun Lisu (锅庄) Guozhuang Dance, Dacun (热巴) Reba Dance, (青稞酒酿造) Qingke barley wine brewing, and (糌粑制作技艺) Tsampa making techniques. In addition, Dacun preserves traditional Lisu ethnic clothing and lifestyle customs.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
Tuoding Township is located in a temperate mountain monsoon climate zone, with a warm and humid climate. The best time to visit is during the spring and autumn seasons when the weather is pleasant, and the scenery is at its most beautiful.
Recommended Attractions
- Dacun Traditional Residential Architecture Group: Experience the traditional architectural style of the Lisu ethnic group.
- Tuoding Pine Forest Slope: Located near Dacun, this is a pine forest area covering over 1,500 acres, with an elevation ranging from 2,450 to 2,650 meters. It has a water source and electricity, with convenient transportation.
- Amani Sacred Mountain: Located near Dacun, a tower can be built here to overlook the surrounding snow-capped mountains.
Suggested Stay Duration for Each Destination
- Dacun Traditional Residential Architecture Group: Recommended stay is half a day to gain a deeper understanding of local architectural culture.
- Tuoding Pine Forest Slope: Recommended stay is half a day to enjoy the natural scenery.
- Amani Sacred Mountain: Recommended stay is half a day to experience the religious culture.
Transportation
- Self-driving: Depart from (德钦县) Deqin County, travel along the road to (拖顶乡) Tuoding Township, and then proceed to Dacun, a total of approximately 18 kilometers.
- Public Transportation: Take a bus from the (德钦县客运站) Deqin County Bus Station to (拖顶乡) Tuoding Township, and then transfer to local transportation.
Local Cuisine
- Qingke Barley Wine: A local traditional brewing technique with a rich flavor.
- Tsampa: A traditional Tibetan food eaten with butter tea.
- Matsutake Mushrooms: A local specialty with a delicious taste.
Shopping
- Ethnic Handicrafts: Items such as wooden bowls, Tsampa boxes, etc., full of ethnic characteristics.
- Chinese Medicinal Herbs: Local specialties like Gastrodia elata and Qin Jiao.
Accommodation
Dacun and its surrounding areas offer Tibetan-style homestays with good conditions, allowing visitors to experience Tibetan culture.
Travel Notes
- Respect Local Customs: Visitors should respect the religious beliefs and traditional customs of the Lisu ethnic group when touring.
- Protect the Environment: Dacun has a good ecological environment, so please pay attention to environmental protection while touring.
- Safety: The roads to Dacun are rugged, so self-driving travelers should be cautious and ensure driving safety.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive in Dacun, visit the traditional residential architecture group, experience local customs, and taste local delicacies.
- Day 2: Visit Tuoding Pine Forest Slope to enjoy the natural scenery; in the afternoon, head to Amani Sacred Mountain to experience the religious culture.
- Day 3: Return to (德钦县) Deqin County or continue to visit other attractions.
Dacun is a place rich in ethnic features and cultural heritage, making it a perfect destination for visitors who enjoy folk culture and natural landscapes. Here, you can feel the warmth of the local people and experience the unique charm of ancient ethnic cultures. We hope you have a memorable journey and take home unforgettable memories from Dacun.
