Majiuyi Village in Dali City
Overview
Majiuyi Village (马久邑村, Mǎjiùyì Cūn) is a Bai ethnic village located on the western shore of Erhai Lake (洱海, Èrhǎi) in Dali City (大理市, Dàlǐ Shì), Yunnan Province (云南省, Yúnnán Shěng). With the ongoing development of tourism in Dali, many investors have recognized the village’s unique mountain and lake views. Since 2013, a row of hotels and inns has sprung up along the shores of Erhai Lake, gradually forming a linear cluster of accommodations. This development has made Majiuyi Village a shining pearl among the villages on the western shore of Erhai Lake, alongside Longkan Village (龙龛村, Lóngkān Cūn), Cai Village (才村, Cái Cūn), Panxi Village (磻溪村, Pánxī Cūn), and Taoyuan Village (桃源村, Táoyuán Cūn).
Notable Hotels and Inns
The area features popular hotels such as Haiqi No. 7 (海栖七号, Hǎiqī Qī Hào), Yunqi (云起, Yúnqǐ), Yunshui Xiaozhu (云水小筑, Yúnshuǐ Xiǎozhù), Haitian Zhi Lian (海天之恋, Hǎitiān Zhī Liàn), Shanshui Qingju (山水清居, Shānshuǐ Qīngjū), and Wushe (无舍, Wúshè) to the south, and Yuntu (云途, Yúntú), Haizhi Yu (海之语, Hǎizhī Yǔ), Yinhua (茵画, Yīnhuà), and Muxi (木西, Mùxī) to the north. These hotels market “sea-view rooms” and have become increasingly popular due to their appearances in films and television series like Heart Releases Road (心发路放).
Geographic Location
- Administrative Division: Dali City, Yunnan Province
- Region: Yinqiao Town (银桥镇, Yínqiáo Zhèn)
- Adjacent Villages: Majiuyi Village, Panxi Village
- Government Seat: Yinqiao
- Telephone Area Code: 0872
- Population: Approximately 3,685 residents
- Dialect: Local Bai dialect
Population and Health
Majiuyi Village consists of 878 households with a total population of 3,785, including 1,887 males and 1,898 females. The agricultural population stands at 3,785, with a labor force of 1,926. As of the end of 2011, 1,600 villagers participated in rural social pension insurance, while 3,670 were enrolled in rural cooperative medical care. Medical services are primarily provided by the village clinic, which is located 1.5 kilometers from the village committee and 5.5 kilometers from the town hospital.
Name Origin
The Bai language name originally was “Longjiuyi” (龙久邑), meaning “Land of the Dragon.” However, feudal rulers believed that the characters for “dragon” and “phoenix” were reserved for emperors, so they changed it to “Majiuyi.”
Historical Development
- Before liberation, the village belonged to Guizhou Township (桂楼乡, Guìlóu Xiāng) in Dali County (大理县, Dàlǐ Xiàn).
- After liberation, it was part of Dali County’s Third District in 1950.
- In 1953, it became part of Sanyang Township (三阳乡, Sānyáng Xiāng).
- In 1958, it was designated as a management area under Taihe Commune (太和公社, Tàihé Gōngshè).
- In 1962, it became Majiuyi Commune (马久邑小公社, Mǎjiùyì Xiǎo Gōngshè) in Yinqiao District (银桥区, Yínqiáo Qū).
- In 2001, it officially became Majiuyi Village under Yinqiao Town, and has remained so ever since.
Surrounding Attractions
Nearby attractions include:
- Dali Ancient City (大理古城, Dàlǐ Gǔchéng)
- Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple (崇圣寺三塔, Chóngshèng Sì Sān Tǎ)
- Erhai Lake (洱海, Èrhǎi)
- Nanzhao Folk Island (南诏风情岛, Nánzhāo Fēngqíng Dǎo)
- Xizhou Ancient Town (喜洲古镇, Xǐzhōu Gǔzhèn)
- Shuanglang Artistic Town (双廊艺术小镇, Shuāngláng Yìshù Xiǎozhèn)
Local specialties include Yunnan’s Tuocha tea (沱茶, Tuóchá), Bai ethnic tie-dye (扎染, Zhārǎn), Dali’s single-clove garlic (独头大蒜, Dútóu Dàsuàn), Dengchuan beef (邓川牛, Dèngchuān Niú), Bai’s Xizhou pancakes (喜洲粑粑, Xǐzhōu Bābā), and Dali marble (大理石, Dàlǐ Shí). Cultural customs of the Bai include Raosānling (绕三灵, Ràosān Lìng), Bai embroidery (刺绣, Cìxiù), tie-dye techniques, the Torch Festival (火把节, Huǒbǎ Jié), and the colorful painting of Bai houses.
How to Get There
Majiuyi Village can be accessed by public transport from Dali Ancient City. Buses and taxis are readily available, making the village easily reachable. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes.
Travel Tips
- Accommodation: Consider booking a hotel with a sea view for a memorable stay.
- Dining: Sample local Bai cuisine in nearby eateries.
- Cultural Etiquette: Be respectful of local customs and traditions, especially during cultural festivals.
- Explore Nearby Attractions: Allow time to visit nearby historical and cultural sites for a fuller experience of Dali’s rich heritage.
