Dadong Village of Dadong Town in Gucheng District, Lijiang

Da Dong Administrative Village (大东行政村) is located in the northeastern part of Lijiang Ancient City, 68 kilometers away from the urban area. It is situated in the core area of Da Dong Township (大东乡), covering an area of 66.7 square kilometers. The village has an altitude of 1680 meters, with an annual average temperature of 16℃ and an annual precipitation of 550 millimeters. The climate is pleasant, suitable for growing crops like corn. Surrounded by mountains, the village is traversed by the White Water River from the Blue Moon Valley of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain Scenic Area (玉龙雪山景区的蓝月谷白水河), which eventually flows into the Jinsha River (金沙江). The terrain is characterized by higher elevations in the west and lower ones in the east, with significant altitude differences and complex geographical conditions. The polygonal topography of “five gullies and six ridges” and “ten faces and one slope” creates a typical立体climate. The road to Da Dong Administrative Village from the urban area is winding and steep, with heavy fog during the rainy season. If you choose to take a bus, the journey will take close to two hours. The road has many sharp bends and large turns, and it is recommended to be driven by a driver with over 15 years of driving experience. Driving by yourself without familiarity with the road conditions can be dangerous.

Da Dong Administrative Village is predominantly inhabited by the Naxi ethnic group, with other ethnic groups such as Han, Miao, Zhuang, Lisu, Pumi, and Tibetan also residing here. These ethnic groups have interacted and integrated with each other over a long period, forming a unique and inclusive cultural atmosphere. The Naxi ethnic group makes up a larger proportion of the population, and its traditional culture holds an important position in the village. The architectural style, folk festivals, and traditional skills all bear the cultural imprint of the Naxi ethnic group.

Naxi Hot – Me – Cuo Dance and Singing: Hot – Me – Cuo (热美蹉) is a traditional Naxi song – and – dance performance, listed as national intangible cultural heritage. Originating in the clan society period, it is a “living fossil” of early music and dance art. During the performance, men and women sing and dance in a circle around the fire without props. One person leads the singing, with men called “Zuoluo Ba” (左罗巴) and women “Rele Mei” (热勒美). The dance features simple, powerful movements and a unique chorus. Da Dong Township (大东乡) is known for its well – preserved and active Hot – Me – Cuo culture. The Da Dong Hot – Me – Cuo Art Troupe (大东热美蹉艺术团), led by inheritors like He Zhengqiang (和正强) and Zhang Fuguo (张富国), regularly performs. Visitors can enjoy and even participate in these performances.

Dongba Paper – making Skill: Dongba paper is a kind of handmade paper made from the bark of the Daphne plant and is the most important paper for writing scriptures in Dongba culture. It is well – known in the northwest of Yunnan, and the Naxi handmade paper – making skill has been listed in the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage. The process of making Dongba paper is complicated, involving more than ten steps from collecting raw materials. At the “Xiu Hong Dongba Paper – making Workshop” (秀红东巴造纸坊), the Dongba paper inheritors He Xiu – hong and his wife make Dongba paper. They first put the cooked bark pulp into the pounding tool. One person stands at the back and steps on a heavy pedal with dozens of kilograms, while another adjusts the amount of bark pulp in the mortar at the front. They pound the pulp for several hours. After a series of primitive and strict procedures, the Dongba paper produced has the characteristics of being resistant to insect damage, waterproof, and long – lasting, with the saying of “a thousand – year – long paper life.” Now, the paper – making workshop not only produces and sells Dongba paper but also attracts many tourists to experience the paper – making process and feel the charm of this ancient skill.

In Da Dong Village (大东村), funeral customs are steeped in tradition. As an elder nears death, a “mouth – containing” ritual is prepared, where corn, tea leaves, sugar, and symbolic gold and silver are placed in the deceased’s mouth, wrapped in white cloth, to aid their journey. The family calls out the names of the first three generations of ancestors to guide the soul, a practice called “sending three generations.” After death, firecrackers are lit to inform relatives and friends. The body is washed with water fetched using a rice spoon (seven scoops for women, nine for men), and a coin is placed beside the water source. The body is then dressed and laid on a bed next to the fireplace, with the head facing the door. During mourning, a table with offerings like glutinous rice cakes and ham is set up, along with a long – burning lamp. The coffin is swept with thorns before the body is placed inside, sealed with wood, and propped up with stools. Relatives and friends pay respects while the ceremony host recites offerings. Each morning, the younger generation offers porridge and water for washing the face, sprinkling the area with water沾with incense wood and azalea. The night before the funeral, villagers gather to dance Hot – Me – Cuo (热美蹉) around the fire.

Sanduo Festival is one of the most important traditional festivals of the Naxi ethnic group. Sanduo is regarded as the guardian deity by the Naxi people. Every year on the eighth day of the second lunar month, the Naxi people in Da Dong Village dress up in their finest clothes and head to the nearby Sanduo Temple (三朵庙) to hold a sacrificial ceremony. They offer abundant tributes and pray sincerely for the Sanduo deity to bless them with prosperity in both livestock and crops. After the ceremony, there are activities such as horse racing, archery, and song – and – dance performances. Tourists can join in and experience the Naxi people’s reverence for their guardian deity and the festive atmosphere.

The Torch Festival on the twenty – fourth day of the sixth lunar month is also a grand festival celebrated by all ethnic groups in Da Dong Village. As night falls, every household lights torches in front of their homes, and children run around the streets with small torches in their hands, laughing and playing. Villagers gather around the big torches, singing and dancing, holding lively bonfire parties. The festival symbolizes using fire to drive away insects and evil spirits and to welcome the harvest. Tourists can dance around the torches with the villagers and experience the unique charm of this festival.

Da Dong Administrative Village still preserves some traditional Naxi residential buildings, mostly made of earth and wood, with a layout of three – hall – one – screen wall. The ridge of the house is often equipped with a tile cat. The tile cat faces outward with its head and its buttocks facing the home, symbolizing the swallowing and storage of good fortune from outside into the home. The side eaves are decorated with hanging fish, which not only indicates a surplus every year but also serves as a fire – prevention measure. Although the interiors of many houses have been changed, such as the transformation of the fireplace into a cement structure and the placement of the ancestor tablet beside the kitchen fireplace, where incense must be offered on the first and fifteenth days of each lunar month with homemade dishes or fruits, the exteriors still retain traditional elements like tiles, showcasing the simple and rustic appearance of traditional Naxi architecture. Strolling through the village and wandering among these traditional residences, one can feel the sediment of time and the unique charm of Naxi architectural culture.

Hot Springs: Re – hot Village is endowed with natural geothermal hot springs, forming a hot spring tourism belt mainly based on Da Dong Hot Spring Resort (大东温泉山庄). The hot spring water has a suitable temperature and is rich in various minerals beneficial to human health. Soaking in the hot springs not only relaxes the body and mind but also has certain health – care effects. Surrounded by mountains and with a quiet environment, visitors can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and breathe in the fresh air while soaking in the hot springs. Hot springs of different scales and conditions are available to meet various needs, whether for relieving fatigue or for a pleasant holiday experience.

Rural Scenery: Da Dong Administrative Village is surrounded by large – scale farmlands, where crops such as corn are grown. With the change of seasons, the fields present different views. In spring, the tender green seedlings sway gently in the breeze, full of vitality; in summer, the crops grow vigorously, with lush greenery; in autumn, the golden corn and other crops are harvested, presenting a scene of busyness and joy; in winter, although the fields are slightly desolate, the quiet atmosphere has its own charm. Visitors can walk along the country paths, experience the tranquility and comfort of rural life, and even participate in some farming activities such as sowing and harvesting (the specific activities available depend on the season and local conditions), to enjoy the fun of farming.

Forest Landscape: The mountains and forests surrounding the village are dense with rich flora and fauna. The forests are home to a wide variety of trees and plants, and are habitats for many wild animals. Walking along the mountain paths, visitors can breathe in the fresh air, listen to the cheerful songs of birds, and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. During the hike, it is also possible to see various rare plants and occasionally small animals. For those who love outdoor activities and adventure, the forests here are a good choice. However, when entering the forest, safety must be observed, and regulations must be followed to avoid damaging the natural environment.

Re – mei Culture Inheritance Center: The Re – mei Culture Inheritance Center (热美文化传习中心) in Da Dong Township (大东乡) covers 600 square meters with a construction area of 250 square meters. It includes a performance hall and an exhibition hall for Re – mei – cuo (热美蹉). The center focuses on inheritance activities, cultivating successors, and preserving intangible cultural heritage materials. Since Re – mei – cuo was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2008, Da Dong Township has developed a stable team of inheritors, including one national – level, one provincial – level, four municipal – level, and 17 district – level inheritors. Visitors can learn about Re – mei – cuo’s history and art, watch performances, and learn dance and singing skills from professionals.

Traditional Village Appearance: Da Dong Administrative Village has preserved the traditional village layout and appearance intact. The village roads are winding and twisted, and traditional residences are distributed in a staggered manner. Here, visitors can feel the strong atmosphere of daily life and see the scenes of villagers working from sunrise to sunset. By communicating with the villagers, visitors can learn about their daily life and traditional customs, taste authentic rural food, and experience the original rural life. The traditional buildings and ancient alleys in the village all emit unique charm, attracting visitors to explore.

Starting from the urban area of Lijiang, you can first take a bus to Da Dong Township. However, it should be noted that the bus schedule may be limited, and the journey takes close to two hours. It is necessary to check the departure time in advance and allow sufficient travel time. After arriving in Da Dong Township, you can choose to take a rural bus, minibus, or taxi to Da Dong Administrative Village. Public transportation is relatively economical, but the travel process may not be very convenient and may require multiple transfers.

If you choose to drive to Da Dong Administrative Village, start from the urban area of Lijiang and follow the indicated roads. However, it should be noted that the road to Da Dong Township has many mountain roads with sharp bends and steep turns. During the rainy season, the roads are slippery, and there is heavy fog. You need to drive carefully and control your speed. It is recommended that the driver has rich driving experience and is familiar with mountain road driving. The advantage of driving is the freedom of your itinerary. You can stop at any time to enjoy the scenery along the way. After arriving in Da Dong Administrative Village, there are some parking areas in the village for convenient parking.

If you are traveling with a larger group or prefer the convenience of transportation, you can also choose to charter a car from the urban area of Lijiang to Da Dong Administrative Village. Chartering a car allows you to depart and return according to your own schedule and itinerary, offering greater flexibility. However, the cost of chartering a car is relatively high. It is necessary to negotiate the price and travel route with the driver in advance.