Douge Dazhai Village of Quannei Town in Linxiang District, Lincang

Chinese Name: 临沧市临翔区圈内乡斗阁村委会斗阁大寨
English Name: Douge Dazhai Village of Quannei Town in Linxiang District, Lincang

In Linxiang District, there lies a village gently embraced by history—Douge Dazhai. Nestled quietly in the arms of Wulong Mountain, it is ancient yet mysterious. This old village, with its unique charm and profound cultural heritage, has become a model for Linxiang District’s efforts to explore new paths for the protection and inheritance of historical and cultural resources.

Douge Dazhai is located in the southern part of Linxiang District, surrounded by mountains and rivers, boasting beautiful scenery. It is home to several ethnic groups, including the Wa, Lahu, and Dai, living harmoniously together. During the Ming Dynasty, the migration of Han people from Jiangnan added rich cultural colors to this land. The blending of these diverse cultures has given rise to Douge Dazhai’s unique architectural style and deep cultural roots, where every brick and tile tells stories of history and ethnic wisdom.

Stepping into Douge Dazhai feels like entering a beautiful painting. The ancient houses are scattered harmoniously, and the winding stone paths reveal traces of time and the charm of history. A gentle breeze brushes against your face, bringing coolness that refreshes the mind. Here, one can feel the strong ethnic customs and unique cultural atmosphere, as if traveling back to a distant era.

Villager Zhao Qungang moved from Linjiang City to Douge Village on December 26, 1968, and has lived in Douge Village ever since. “On the night we arrived at the commune, a few classmates and I walked along the road to the south and saw a large village at the foot of Wulong Mountain. From a distance, it looked very elegant, and that village is Douge Dazhai,” Zhao said. “In my memory, Douge Dazhai is a very beautiful and old village.”

In recent years, with the acceleration of urbanization, Douge Dazhai has faced severe challenges such as the outflow of original residents, rural hollowing, and damage to cultural heritage. The dilapidation of old houses, the desolation of cottages, and the loss of memories, especially for important historical buildings like the Douge Yang Clan Ancestral Hall, have caused the ancient village to fall into silence and decay due to ownership issues and lack of maintenance. In response to the plight of Douge Dazhai, the local government has implemented a series of effective measures to protect and inherit this valuable historical and cultural resource. They have invested funds to restore traditional residential buildings and built public infrastructure, improving the fire safety management system, laying a solid foundation for the village’s sustainable development.

Douge Village also emphasizes integrating Douge Dazhai’s cultural resources with the tourism industry. By developing rural tourism and conducting cultural heritage promotion activities, they attract tourists to explore. Here, visitors can not only appreciate the ancient residential architecture and experience rich ethnic customs but also participate in various cultural activities to immerse themselves in the historical culture of Douge Dazhai.

“I grew up in Douge Dazhai; I am a local,” said villager He Wen. “When I was young, there was a well in the village called Malu Well, and my family often took us there to fetch water. Passing by it now brings back my memories.” He added, “In the future, I will actively participate in cultural heritage protection efforts to preserve this precious sense of nostalgia.”

Looking ahead, Linxiang District will continue to uphold the principles of “protection first, rescue as a priority, rational use, and strengthened management” to enhance the protection of traditional villages. At the same time, they will actively explore more scientific and rational models for protection and development, allowing these ancient villages, which carry a millennium of memories, to shine even brighter in the journey of the new era.

He Gencheng, the Party Secretary of Douge Village, stated, “In the future, we will work closely with industry departments to strengthen the protection of ancient villages, increase funding for infrastructure construction, and enhance publicity efforts. We aim to turn Douge Dazhai into a beautiful tourism brand, making more tourists aware of Douge Dazhai and encouraging them to experience traditional culture here.”