Longhua Village of Shitou Town in Yulong County, Lijiang
Longhua Village (龙华村) is located in Sihua Village Committee (四华村委会), Shitou Bai Ethnic Township (石头白族乡), Yulong Naxi Autonomous County (玉龙纳西族自治县), Lijiang City (丽江市), Yunnan Province (云南省). It is a mountainous village with a total area of 2,773 mu and an altitude of 1,820 meters. The average annual temperature is 15°C, and the annual precipitation is 980 mm. The village is suitable for growing crops such as rice, wheat, tobacco, and garlic.
Features and Culture
Agricultural Industry
- Orchid Cultivation: Due to its unique geographical, climatic, and ecological conditions, Sihua Village (四华村) is suitable for the growth of orchids such as Daxuesu (大雪素) and Xiaoxuesu (小雪素). Orchid cultivation has a history of over 400 years. In recent years, through the establishment of cooperatives and orchid exhibitions, the orchid brand has gained recognition, significantly increasing villagers’ income. In 2021, Sihua Village established an Orchid Economic Cooperative (兰花经济合作社) with 59 members and has held two orchid exhibitions. During the second orchid exhibition in 2022, approximately 8,000 orchids were sold, generating a turnover of 1.01 million yuan.
- Sericulture: Sihua Village has developed sericulture using the “company + cooperative + base + farmer” model, focusing on improving varieties and increasing output. Mulberry trees are now planted across Shitou Township (石头乡), covering an area of 80 mu. Modernized smart silkworm rearing facilities have been installed, making sericulture more efficient and productive.
- Tobacco Cultivation: Tobacco is one of the main industries in Longhua Village. In 2006, the total sales revenue from tobacco was 80,000 yuan, accounting for 6.64% of the village’s total rural economic income.
Economic Development
In 2006, the total rural economic income of Longhua Village was 1.2041 million yuan, including 585,500 yuan from planting, 206,500 yuan from animal husbandry, 3,600 yuan from fishery, 19,200 yuan from forestry, 56,900 yuan from secondary and tertiary industries, and 80,800 yuan from wage income. The per capita net income of farmers was 2,135.3 yuan, with planting being the primary source of income.
Tourism and Transportation
Transportation
Longhua Village is approximately 3.5 kilometers from the Shitou Township Government (石头乡政府) and about 12.5 kilometers from Yulong County (玉龙县). The village is accessible via major roads from Yulong County to Shitou Township and then to Longhua Village.
Tourist Attractions
While Longhua Village itself is not a well-known tourist destination, the surrounding areas of Yulong County, such as Shigu Town (石鼓镇) and Liming Township (黎明乡), offer scenic spots worth visiting. Additionally, the Lijiang Tourism Association (丽江市旅游协会) has established a “Rural Revitalization Practice Base” (乡村振兴实践基地) in Sihua Village, promoting the development of rural tourism products that allow visitors to experience the local ethnic culture and rural landscapes.
Population and Society
Longhua Village has 68 households with a rural population of 281, including 135 males and 146 females. The entire population is engaged in agriculture, with 193 laborers. The village is predominantly Naxi (纳西族), with 239 Naxi people, 39 Bai (白族) people, and 3 people from other ethnic groups.
Infrastructure
By the end of 2006, Longhua Village had achieved access to electricity, roads, television, and telephones, but there were no streetlights. All 68 households had access to electricity, 55 households had cable television, and 46 households had fixed or mobile phones.
Future Development
The main challenges facing Longhua Village include difficulties in accessing drinking water for both humans and livestock, as well as the need to improve irrigation infrastructure. In the future, the village will continue to develop its characteristic industries such as orchids, sericulture, and tobacco to increase villagers’ income. Additionally, through a technical service system involving “experts + agricultural technicians + rural technical talents,” the village will support local orchid exhibitions and guide villagers in developing courtyard economies.
