Laodabao Village of Jiujing Town in Lancang County, Puer
Chinese Name: 普洱市澜沧县酒井哈尼族乡勐根村委会老达保寨
English Name: Laodabao Village in Lancang County, Puer
Chinese Pinyin: Lao Da Bao Zhai
Location: Menggen Village, Jiujing Town, Lancang County, Puer
Laodabao and ‘Happy Lahu’
Laodabao Village(老达保寨), located in the southeast of Lincang County, is 42KM from the county. It is a typical Lahu Village with all the 114 families/473 villagers are Lahu People.
Laodabao Village is one of the villages that have inherited the Lahu’s Creation Epic”Mupa Mipa”(《牡帕密帕》) which has been selected as the first batch of national intangible cultural heritage protection list in 2006. As the land of singing and dancing, it is famouse for cappella with rich harmonies and being the hometown of ‘Happy Lahu’. Villagers are very welcoming and will show you their gracious hospttality with songs and drinks once you step into the village.
People in Laodabao can sing and dance, over 200 of them could act on stage. Lahu music and dance performed in Laodabao are of passion and creativeness. Boys around 13 or 14 can play Sheng and perform Lusheng Dance, girls can sing and perform Bai Dance. Singing skills in Laodabao include traditional singing and multi-chorus Christian songs sang in Lahu language. Although there is no formal vocal training, some of the villagers could not even read opern, they can sing in 4 chorus, in the past the polyphonic are sang only in the church, not to be explored for a long time until 2004 national and folk traditional culture survey.
Ya’er Folk Art Troupe’s performances are of traditional Lahu cultural characteristics, as well as the inclusiveness to absorb foreign and contemporary culture. Since 2005, they’ve given performances in different scales of shows.
What to see in Laodabao Village
Laodabao Village, with well-preserved primitive sceneries, is very natural and beautiful. You can peer at their ethnic customs and profound history from their traditional pole and column buildings in the village since it is the village which has preserved the most intact Lahu’s traditional cultures throughout the time. Beyond the beautiful sceneries, ethnic customs and historical cultures, the biggest highlight here is the local people – they can get you away from the daily weariness and troubles by their happy songs and dances, so that to fully appreciate their daily lives and happiness.
The song ‘Happy Lahu’ , with simple melody and light rhythm, is very easy to learn, you can try to sing and dance with local people. Lahu People, no mater men and women, young and old, can both sing and dance very well, they are very good at Lusheng Dance, Baiwu Dance and cappella with rich harmonies while the most stand-out is singing with a guita. Approximately 80% of the villagers can play the guita, the oldest player is over 70 years old while the youngest one is just little kids. Although, they have never been trained, most of them hardly know nothing about the musical notation, they have created many popular songs in the virtue of their enthusiasm towards music and their daily lives. They have wrote nearly 300 songs and the most popular ones include ‘Happy Luhu'(快乐拉祜)，’Truly Love You'(真心爱你) and ‘Happy New Year'(新年在一起), etc. The ‘Happy Luhu’ once helped them gain the reputation of ‘Happy Lahu win the world with only one guita’.
Past, Now and Future
However, Laodabao is a typical remote and poor mountain village in the past. With badly infrustructure, villagers used to walk to contact with the outside, get water from the well, light the nights by oil lamp and yell to exchange messages. Under such a poor production and living condition, the evarage annual income was only 1715 RMB.
In recent years, in the advantage of the abundant Lahu ethnic cultures, Lancang County has designed a characteristic road for Ladaoba-to construct a tourist ethnic village. As one of the villages that have inherited the Lahu’s Creation Epic”Mupa Mipa”(《牡帕密帕》) and the most intact Lahu cultures, most of the villagers are good at singing and dancing, among them includes 6 inheritors of traditional and ethnic cultures. With all these advantages, villagers have established sevaral art troupe such as ‘Laodabao Art Troupe'(老达保雅厄艺术团), ‘Five Bros'(达保五兄弟) and ‘Dabao Sisters'(达保姐妹). They have been invited to perform in many cities at home and abroad, take part in many famous TV Shows including “Meili 12″(魅力12),”Xing Guang Da Dao”(星光大道),”Minge China”(民歌 中国),”I Am Going to the Sping Festival Gala”(我要上春晚) and “Dream Chorus” on China Centrel Television(CCTV), and also join many well-known folk and tourism festivals. With all these efforts, they have brought the Lahu culture to the whole world and make their hometown a popular tourist destination.
In 2003, Ladabao has founded its own perfprmance art company – Lancang Laodabao Happy Lahu Performance Limited Company(澜沧老达保快乐拉祜演艺有限公司). It is the first performance company that founded by local villagers in Puer. Over 200 villagers are performing for the company, and when there is no performance, they spend their time doing farm work. Up to now, over 600 performances have brought an income of 3.32 million yuan and villagers have shared a bonas of 2.26 million yuan, the total tourism revenue reaches 5 million yuan. At the same time, Laodabao has been listed as the core area of the ‘HALEJA Country Music Town’ which was built by the Puer municiple government with a total invest of 5.03 billion yuan. With promising prospect, we believe that Laodabao will get better and better in the future.
Lahu People’s Hand Washing Ceremony
The Hand Washing Ceremony is a traditional greeting of the Lahu people (拉祜族), an ethnic group that has come “out of the gourd.” Whenever a distinguished guest enters a Lahu village or home, the women of the village greet the guest by washing their hands with clean water from a gourd, symbolizing respect and welcome.
![Hand washing ceremony image]
Visit the Heritage Museum and Intangible Cultural Workshops
Along the village roads, visitors can explore the Spinning Top Workshop, Lusheng Workshop, Wood Carving Workshop, and Weaving Workshop, experiencing the traditional Lahu village architecture and lifestyle. Here, you will also discover the unique craftsmanship and daily life of the Lahu people.
![Workshops image]
The Heritage Museum (传承馆) was built in 2010 to preserve traditional farming tools, ethnic culture books, and other artifacts. This museum plays a crucial role in protecting the roots and soul of Lahu culture and records the history of Old Dabo (老达保). The museum underwent a comprehensive renovation in 2024, offering visitors a refreshed sensory experience.
![Museum image]
Folk Experience
Baba (粑粑) represents unity and is an essential part of Lahu culture. To prepare it, glutinous rice is soaked in water for 2-8 hours. Afterward, it is steamed for about 35 minutes. Black and white sesame seeds are roasted and ground, then mixed with the steamed rice, which is pounded into a smooth texture and shaped into small cakes.
![Baba image]
Check-in at the Xiecheng Holiday Farm
The Xiecheng Holiday Farm (携程度假农庄) is integrated with a tea garden and trendy vacation homes. The farm offers a comprehensive range of facilities, including a coffee area, camping, and barbecue spots. Guests can also enjoy traditional Lahu dance and songs around a bonfire, ancient tea roasting methods, and ethnic costume photoshoots, blending modern elements with Lahu culture to enhance the tourist experience.
![Xiecheng Farm image]
Ethnic Song and Dance Performances
The Old Dabo Lahu Ethnic Ecological Live Performance showcases multi-part acapella songs such as “Hunting Song” (打猎歌) and “Four Seasons Tune” (四季调), which bring visitors closer to Lahu traditions. Over time, these songs have evolved to include popular songs like “Tea Respect Song” (敬茶歌), “Wedding Vows” (婚誓), “Happy Lahu” (快乐拉祜), “Reluctantly Leaving” (实在舍不得), and “I Truly Love You” (真心爱你), which are widely sung. The Lahu women’s traditional dance “Bai Dance” (摆舞) debuted at the 2022 Chinese New Year Gala, while the Lahu men’s dance “Lusheng Dance” (芦笙舞) is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage.
![Performance image]
Exhibition and Sale of Ethnic Products
The area also hosts an exhibition and sale of Lahu silk weaving, ethnic costumes, bags, traditional handicrafts, wild honey, wood carvings, and ecological tea. This exhibition allows the continuation of traditions and introduces the local ethnic characteristics, culture, and industrial resources to visitors.
![Ethnic products image]
Walking on the Water Scenic Path
The Water Scenic Path (水景观栈道) is located next to the entrance of Old Dabo Village. It features beautiful landscapes where water and nature merge. The 3-kilometer path leads visitors to the highest point, where they can overlook the entire village of Old Dabo.
![Scenic Path image]
Food Square
The Food Square (美食小广场) offers a variety of local delicacies from the Lahu, Dai, and Hani (哈尼族) ethnic groups. You can try over ten types of snacks, such as lemon jelly, smashed chicken feet, grilled skewers, sticky rice, and small pot rice noodles. The flavors are tangy, spicy, and delicious.
![Food Square image]
Dining in Dabo (达保)
- Dabo Naluo Specialty Restaurant, located next to the Old Dabo scenic area, Li Naluo, 18724889195
- Dabo Ozhage Restaurant, within the Old Dabo scenic area, Zhou Gaixiu, 13759039775
- Dabo Farmhouse, beside the Old Dabo scenic area, Wang Jinyan, 15125577324
- Na’er Homestay, next to the Old Dabo scenic water path, Peng Na’er, 15008818456
- Namo Ocuoge Guesthouse, within the Old Dabo scenic area, Li Xiuzhen, 15125584480
- Lancang Ocuo Restaurant, near the Old Dabo scenic entrance, Zhang Zhanu, 18164634088
- Old Dabo Café, within the Old Dabo scenic area, Li Nawa, 17584106537
- Dai Xiangyuan Restaurant, located in Menggen Dazhai, 2.5 km from Old Dabo, Dao Meixian, 15154873223
- Aini Restaurant, located in Menggen Tea Community, 2 km from Old Dabo, Li Azhan, 13759037810
Stay in Dabo (达保)
- Dabo Inn (Food & Lodging), next to the Ozhage Restaurant in Old Dabo scenic area, Zhang Zha, 15987974801
- Na’er Homestay (Food & Lodging), next to the Old Dabo scenic water path, Peng Na’er, 15008818456
- Namo Ocuoge Guesthouse (Food & Lodging), within the Old Dabo scenic area, Li Xiuzhen, 15125584480
- Lahu Yin Su (Food & Lodging), within the Old Dabo scenic area, Li Zhanu, 15925295397
- Yi Yang Zhai Homestay (Lodging Only), within the Old Dabo scenic area, Li Zha Duo, 14787966089
- Xiecheng Holiday Farm · Lancang Old Dabo Joint Store (Food & Lodging), 2.6 km from Old Dabo, Contact: 0879-3066999
- Bobo Inn (Lodging Only), within the Old Dabo scenic area, Zhang Zha Bo, 18387979227
- Ai Zai Old Dabo Homestay (Lodging Only), within the Old Dabo scenic area, Li Nawa, 18287995851
- Dai La Inn (Lodging Only), located in Menggen Dazhai, 2.5 km from Old Dabo, Li Meilan, 14769375587
- Ye Xiang Inn (Lodging Only), located in Menggen Dazhai, 2.5 km from Old Dabo, Ye Xiang, 13769946622
Recommended Routes
Boutique Tourism Route
Jingmai Airport—(30 km)—Lancang County—(42 km)—Old Dabo 4A Scenic Area—(47 km)—Jingmai Mountain Tea Forest Cultural 4A Scenic Area
Travel Tips (Self-Driving)
- Old Dabo 4A Scenic Area: 42 km from the county seat, approximately 60 minutes by car.
- Jingmai Mountain Tea Forest Cultural 4A Scenic Area: 54 km from the county seat, approximately 60 minutes by car; 47 km from Old Dabo, approximately 60 minutes by car.
Friendly Reminder
Some areas and houses in Old Dabo are under renovation for a traditional village project. Visitors are advised to avoid construction zones and to ensure the safety of children and the elderly.
A Paradise for Introverts! The Old Dabo Village Trip
Introverts often face social challenges when traveling, such as avoiding large crowds and minimizing interactions with strangers. However, Old Dabo Village offers the perfect retreat with non-player characters (NPCs) for a more peaceful and quiet experience. Here is a recommended trip for introverts:
Travel Destination: Old Dabo Village
Located in Lancang County, Old Dabo Village is a peaceful border town known for its unique Lahu culture and music. It’s home to ancient tea gardens and handcraft traditions, making it a perfect destination for introverts looking to explore in solitude.
Accommodation Recommendation: HAMUSAI Hotel
Stay at the local HAMUSAI Hotel, where the rooms offer quiet, serene views of the mountains and countryside, ideal for relaxation.
Suggested Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive at Old Dabo Village, check-in at HAMUSAI Hotel, wander around the town center, and enjoy local snacks.
- Day 2: Visit local workshops, experience traditional crafts, and join the “Discovering Heritage Workshop.” Relax by the village river.
- Day 3: Enjoy local music and cultural activities in the evening and a peaceful sunrise walk.
