Tengchong Culture

Tengchong Culture is diverse and colorful, featuring the folk culture of the six indigenous ethnic minoritues. It is a place where multi-ethnic groups inhabit. It is home to people of nearly half of China's 55 ethnic minority groups. Members of minority groups account for 7% of the total population of the city and live in over 40% of its total area. 

Tengchong History

Tengchong is one of the earliest developed regions in Southwest China. Historically, it roled as an important position on the Southwestern Silk Route. The city grew wealthy from trade with Burma and South East Asia due to its proximity to Mandalay across the Burmese border.

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Ethnic Groups in Tengchong

At the end of 2012, Tengchong has 25 minorities, including Yi, Bai, Dai, Zhuang, Miao, Hui, Lisu, Lahu, Wa, Naxi, Yao, Tibetan, Jingpo, Blang, Buyi, Achang, Hani, Xibe, Pumi, Mongolian, Nu, Jino, Deang, Shui, Manchu, Drung, etc. Among them, Dai, Hui, Lisu, Wa, Bai and Achang are the six indigenous  minorities living there generation by generation.

Tengchong Food Culture

Tengchong Food in Yunnan is unique, which is completely different from the normal flavor of Yunnan, with oil but not greasy, moderate hot and sour, sweet and refreshing. Home-cooked dishes of Tengchong are dominated with acid and spicy, and the most used condiments are sour bamboo shoot, pickles, hot pepper, etc. The famous Tengchong cuisines and snacks include Dajiujia (大救驾), Tengchong Ersi, “Guozi” and Xiacun Doufen /Beancurd Jelly (下村豆粉), etc. When you travel to Tengchong, you shouldn't miss these must-try food in Tengchong.

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Tengchong Ecological Culture

Tengchong is characterized by superior ecology and ideal living conditions. The annual average temperature is 15.1℃, the rainfall is 1531 mm, and the forest coverage rate reaches 70.7%. Gaoligong Mountain, known as the "Species Gene Bank", is listed as a "Biodiversity Conservation circle" by UNESCO and a Class A protected area by the World Wildlife Fund.

Tengchong Geological Culture

The nature's uncanny craftsmanship has also created geological wonders such as Shenzhu Valley (columnar jointing), volcanic lake wetland-Beihai Wetland, the only city waterfall in the country-Dieshui River Waterfall, low-temperature hot spring underground river-Bapai Spring and Black Fish River.

Tengchong Silk Road Culture

More than 2400 years ago, the Southern Silk Road opened up by Chinese ancestors entered Myanmar via Tengchong and reached India, Afghanistan and other South Asian countries. Relying on this ancient road, Tengchong was opened to the outside world and developed earlier than nearby regions. Tengchong's "Three Treasures" (Tengchong herbal, Tengchong ratten articles and Tengchong Xuan Paper) were sold to overseas and domestic markets, and were praised by Xu Xiake as "the first city on the remote border".

Tengchong Jade Culture

Tengchong is an "Emerald City" with 600 years of jade processing history. The Tengchong people discovered jadeite and started the jade processing trade. With the advantage of being closest to Myanmar's jade source area, Tengchong has been a jewelry and jade distribution center in Southeast Asia since ancient times. The 600-year history of jade trading has brought about the prosperity of  Tengchong. Tengchong was awarded the title of "the First Emerald City in China" by Asian jewelry association in 2005.

Anti-Japanese War Culture of Tengchong

In May 1942, Japanese troops invaded Myanmar, cutting off the Burma Road and occupying a large area of the western Nujiang, including Tengchong. Since then, Tengchong has become the main battlefield of the Anti-Japanese War in western Yunnan. China-India Highway and Expeditionary Force, Hump Airline and Flying Tigers, the first city recovered since China's Anti-Japanese War, the well-preserved  Museum of Yunnan-Burmese Anti-Japanese War built to commemorate the fallen members of the Expeditionary Force ..., all these witnessed Tengchong's role as an important Anti-Japanese War force.

Tengchong Rural Culture

The biggest difference between Tengchong and other border counties in China is that Han culture has always been a dominant role. Tengchong rural culture has two distinct characteristics: first is the pursuit of harmony. Heshun, the leader of China's charming towns, and Jiangdong Ginkgo Village are typical representatives of harmonious villages; the second is to attach importance to education. There are many talented people in Tengchong, and a number of famous people such as Zhang Wenguang- the leader of the first revolution of 1911 in Yunnan and Ai Siqi -Marxist philosopher in Heshun Town.

Tengchong Folk Culture

Shadow Puppetry/Shadow Play

Tengchong Shadow Play is a kind of Han nationality art  that is popular among the people in Tengchong, Yunnan. It is mainly spread in Tengchong County, Yunnan Province, where it is called "Lantern Shadow", "Piren Play". Most of the figures are made of cowhide. They are large in size, about 50cm high, simple in shape, and use a lot of round threads. Tengchong Shadow Play is organized by village and is called "Tang". It is equivalent to a Shadow Play group in a village. At present, the most influential one in Tengchong is Liu Jiazhai Village, Gudong Town.

Tengchong Peasant Painting

Tengchong peasant painting was created and formed in the 1970s. Its overall artistic level is no less superior than that of China's famous Jinshan and Huxian peasant paintings. The Tengchong peasant painting is mainly created by Dai, Lisu, Wa and other ethnic minorities, with distinct ethnic characteristics. In June 2000. Hehua Town in Tengchong is awarded the title of "Home of Chinese Folk Art (Peasant Paintings)" by the Ministry of Culture.

Tengchong Jade Carving

In the long history of development, Tengchong Jade Carving industry has brought up a large number of processing and sales teams who are master of the technology well and good at sales. It has formed its own artistic style and unique skills, which are closely related to people's daily life and embody high historical, artistic and technological values. It is an important part of "Tengyue Culture" and has now become one of the pillar industries in Tengchong County.

“Forword of Wenyangdun” 《阳温暾小引》 

The folk song "Forword of Wenyangdun", also known as "Chui Yan Tune"(炊烟调), was written in the period of Qing Dynasty and spread in Heshun Town, Tengchong City. "Forword of Wenyangdun" is a memoir of the experiences of men from western Yunnan who grew up in their hometown and went abroad to make a living. It is a ballad written in village slang and plain words. It was a "must-read guide" for people in western Yunnan to make a living in Southeast Asia at that time, and it was also a ballad of exhortation to the villagers.

Qingxi Opera of Wa People

Qingxi Opera of Wa People was first spreaded in Ganzhe Village, Tengchong in Qing dynasty. The singing style of the Qingxi Opera has remained basically unchanged so far. It still retains its original form when it was introduced and is a precious intangible cultural heritage of ethnic minorities.

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Intangible Cultural Heritages in Tengchong

Rich and diverse Tengchong culture is the source of the intangible cultural heritages in Tencghong, such as Piying/Shadow Play and its making skill, Qingxi Opera of Wa People, Jade Carving and ethnic folk songs and dances.

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Ancient Towns in Tengchong

Needless to say, Heshun Ancient Town is the most famous one among the following old towns, and it has become one of the namecard of Tengchong toursim.

Traditional Ethnic Villages in Tengchong

Traditional villages are good places to discover the local life and ethnic culture. Ginkgo Village is the most favored one with its impressive autumn scenery.

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Ethnic Festivals in Tengchong

Tengchong is a city with a large number of ethnic groups, so there are many ethnic festivals, such as Knife-ladder-Climbing/Daogan Festival of Lisu, Kuoshi Festival of Lisu, Water-splashing Festival of Dai, Torch Festival of Yi, as well as activities like Duanyang Flower Bazaar,etc. 

Culture Tours Including Tengchong

Our Tengchong Culture Tours will guide you to experience the famous festivals in Tengchong, such as Kuoshi festival, Water Splashing Festival and Harvest festival, to learn and know more about Yunnan culture. Culture Tour Packages including Tengchong mainly themed on ethnic minority discovery and border culture.

Regional Culture 

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