Keyi Yi Ethnic Village in Mile County, Honghe

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🌿 I. Nature & Culture Overview

📍 Location & Geography

Keyi Village is located in Xisan Town, under the jurisdiction of Mayi Village Committee (蚂蚁村委会), Mile City, Honghe Prefecture.
It lies 21 km from Mile City center, covers about 9.67 square kilometers, with an average altitude of 1930 meters. Over 80% of the area is forested, situated in a karst mountain landscape.
The climate is mild, with an annual average temperature of 15.3°C. The area produces corn and flue-cured tobacco, and is home to rare vegetation such as wild orchids and tree ferns.

👥 Ethnic Composition

As of 2022, the village has a registered population of 735–765, with 99.6% being Axi people, a branch of the Yi ethnic group.
The name “Keyi” means “Auspicious Place” in the Axi language.

🎭 II. Cultural Heritage

🕺 Intangible Heritage

Birthplace of Axi Tiaoyue Dance (阿细跳月):
Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, this traditional dance is performed daily at the Tiaoyue Square, showcasing original forms like the Da Sanxian (large three-stringed instrument) dance and romantic folk singing duets.

Ritual Traditions:
Ancient practices such as fire worship, Mizhi forest (sacred tree) ceremonies, dragon rituals, and Axi wedding customs are well preserved. The Tiger Worship Festival is held annually in November.

🏠 Architecture & Folk Art

Traditional earth-and-wood Yi dwellings decorated with murals of the Axi Tiaoyue dance

The Yi Ethnic Museum houses 3,048 artifacts, including tools, costumes, and ritual objects, across 12 themed exhibition halls, such as the Migration Hall and Goddess Hall

🧭 III. Visitor Experiences

✅ Must-See & Do

🚶 Ancient Village Walk

Stroll through 360-year-old cobblestone alleys, admire wall murals, and join the evening bonfire party to dance the Axi Tiaoyue under the stars.

🌳 Eco Hike

Hike along the Mizhi Mountain boardwalk through untouched forests, discovering karst rock formations and soaking up an atmosphere rich in negative oxygen ions.

🎎 In-Depth Cultural Activities

Long Street Banquet (November):
Dine with thousands on Axi-style spiced chicken, bamboo rice, and witness traditional rituals and blessings

Hands-On Workshops:
Try your hand at Axi embroidery (a prefecture-level intangible heritage) or bamboo weaving. The “Axima Country Inn (阿细玛农家乐)” is recommended for immersive experiences.

🛎 IV. Travel Info & Tips

⚠️ Visitor Notes

During ritual ceremonies, please remain respectful and do not touch sacred objects

For hikes, wear non-slip shoes, and bring rain gear during the wet season

💎 A Model for Rural Revitalization

Through a “Company + Farmers” model, the village leased land to develop tourism infrastructure, creating 300+ jobs.
In 2022, Keyi generated 6.47 million RMB in tourism revenue, raising the per capita annual income to 32,000 RMB by 2024.