Wenshan Culture

Wenshan Culture is diverse and colorful, featuring the folk culture of the 11 indigenous ethnic minorities including Zhuang, Miao, Hui, Yi, Yao and Bai, etc. It is a place where multi-ethnic groups inhabit. Different nationalities create different cultures. All these will make your Yunnan Travel more impressive. 

Wenshan History

Wenshan Prefecture has been inhabited by human beings since 50,000 years ago. In 111 BC, Emperor Wu of Han Dynasty set up a prefecture and county here. The Ming and Qing Dynasties set up Guangnan Prefecture and Kaihua Prefecture. Administrative division of this area in history initiated during the Western Han Dynasty (206BC-24AD), when the emperor launched the exploitation of southwestern border area. Kingdoms set up by local ethnic minorities were conquered and replaced by counties and shires newly established by the court.

More about Wenshan History

Ethnic Groups in Wenshan

There are 11 ethnic groups living in Wenshan including Zhuang, Miao, Hui, Yi, Yao, Bai, Dai, Buyi, Mongolian, Gelao and  Han. The major ethnic groups inhabiting the prefecture are the Zhuang and the Miao. They have different habit of living: Zhuang used to live at the headwaters region, while Miao like to live at the top of a mountain. The ancestor of Miao was good at hunting.  They live together harmoniously and retain their cultural legacy and life practices. The Zhuang people account for approximately one third of the prefecture's total population, while the Miao and the Yi account for 12% and 10% of the total, respectively. 

Wenshan Food Culture

Rich natural resource provide various food material for people in Wenshan, contributing to the diverse food culture. Food consist of the wisdom of local people. Wenshan people take advantage of the local production to make healthy and  excellent in color, aroma and taste. Famous dishes and snacks in Wenshan including Lotus Feast, Broiled Bean Curd and Steam Pot Chicken with Sanqi, etc.

More about Wenshan Dining

Religion Culture

There are five relions exist in Wenshan prefecture including Buddhism, Taoism, Islam, Catholicism and Christianity. Religion culture in Wenshan gains sound development, especially the Islam. There are many mosques in Wenshan, with the Wenshan Mosque being the most popular ones. Muslim Tours in Wenshan are the best choices to explore Muslim culture. Shoufo Temple in Wenshan City is the major Buddhist temple in Wenshan, many of the major Buddhist cultural activities are held there.  Luduke Catholic Church is a famous site for Catholic followers. It has the characteristic of French style architecture. It is also a key cultural relic protection unit of Wenshan Prefecture. In 2002, it was listed as the patriotism education base of Yunnan province. 

Screen Culture

Wenshan prefecture has made outstanding achievements in screen culture. Wenshan Xinying Culture Media Co., Ltd, established in March 2008, is the first film and television enterprise in Wenshan prefecture that has been approved by the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television and has obtained the qualification for film production, integrating film and television drama production, issuing and screening. Since its establishment, Wenshan Xinying Culture Media Co., Ltd. has actively cooperated with major film and television production and issuing units such as China Film Group, Changchun Film Group, China International Television Corporation, and China Television's China Television Production Center, and has successfully produced feature films such as "Love of Ah E" (阿峨之恋) and "Luo. Love" (倮·恋). In recent years, Puzhehei Scenic Area has become hot destination for its impressive landscape and scenery due to the TV series "Eternal Love" (三十三世十里桃花). 

Ethnic Customs and Folk Culture

Wenshan Prefecture has 11 indigenous ethnic groups. In the long historical development, each ethnic group has formed its own unique festival culture and customs. The festival culture and customs of the major ethnic groups are listed as followings:

Zhuang Ethnic Minority

Major festivals of Zhuang people in Wenshan include Spring Festival, Huajie Festival/Sanyuesan Festival,  Colored Rice (Huafan) Festival and Longduan Festival. Spring Festival is the biggest festival for Zhuang people, in New Year’ Eve, Zhuang people will take copper drum, clean it and have the sacrifice ceremony. Famous folk culture of Zhuang people includes Dongjing Daoism Music and Bronze Drum Dance. 

Miao Ethnic Minority

Huashan Festival is the most important festival of Miao people in Wenshan. It is the festival to sacrifice ancestor of Miao, Chiyou(蚩尤), during the 3rd to 9th day of the first lunar month. The main activities include singing in antiphonal style, martial art show, horse-racing, bullfighting etc.

Yi Ethnic Minority

Torch Festival is one of the main festival of the Yi people of southwest China. It is celebrated on the 24th or 25th day of the sixth month of the Yi calendar, corresponding to August in the Gregorian calendar. The Torch Festival is an event as influential to the Yi people as the Spring Festival is in the Han people's lives. For 3 days, men and women, young and old, carry flaming torches and engage in a variety of activities. This time is also a good opportunity for young men and women to meet prospective spouses.

Yao Ethnic Minority

Panwang Festival is the grandest event for Yao ethnic group. The activities and time of festival differ regionally. In general, they will kill the animal and give a banquet for giving a cordial hospitality to guests. It is the activity to memorize their hero, Panwang, who protect them in the ancient time. 

Read More:

Ethnic Towns in Wenshan

More about Ethnic Towns in Wenshan

Traditional Ethnic Villages in Wenshan

The traditional ethnic villages usually have the well-preserved ethnic traditions, so they can be best choice for your Culture Tours in Wenshan. Traveling to the traditional ethnic villages, you can explore the most authentic ethnic traditions which can't be seen anywhere else. Bamei Village, Heiyudong Village, Nahong Zhuang Ethnic Village and Jiucheng Muslim Village are the best recommendations.

More about Traditional Ethnic Villages in Wenshan

Ethnic Festivals in Wenshan

Wenshan offers the traditional festivals of Zhuang, Miao and Yao etc. The main ethnic festivals in Wenshan include Spring Festival,  Huajie Festival/Sanyuesan Festival,  Colored Rice (Huafan) Festival of Zhuang, Huashan Festival of Miao, Torch Festival of Yi and Panwang Festival of Yao. 

More about Festivals and Activities in Wenshan 

Intangible Cultural Heritages in Wenshan

Rich and diverse ethnic culture is the source of the intangible cultural heritages in Wenshan, such as Hulusheng Dance of Yi, Bronze Drum Dance of Zhuang,  Huajie Festival of Zhuang,  Zhuang Opera and Paper-horse Dance of Zhuang, etc.

Read More:

Ethnic Culture Protection Areas in Wenshan

For better protection and passing down of the ethnic culture,  ethnic culture protecion areas were founded in Wenshan.

Culture Tours Including Wenshan

Our Wenshan Festival Tours and Minority Discovery Tours will guide to explore the diverse and colorful culture in Wenshan. Choose the following ones or contact us to customize one for you.

Regional Culture 

Keep Reading