Meiquan Village of Lashi Town in Yulong County, Lijiang

Meiquan Village (美泉村), located in the northern part of Laishi Town (拉市镇), Yulong County (玉龙县), Lijiang City (丽江市), Yunnan Province, is a picturesque and historically rich Naxi ancient village. With its unique natural landscapes, abundant ethnic culture, and booming rural tourism, it has become a renowned destination.

Meiquan Village boasts unparalleled natural scenery. The village is home to abundant water resources such as Meiquan River (美泉河), Meiquan Dragon Pool (美泉龙潭), Qixian Lake (七仙湖), and Qing Shui River (清水河), all of which are crystal clear and nourish the land. Additionally, the village has over 3,200 acres of collective forest, with a high forest vegetation coverage rate, creating a natural oxygen bar. The diverse natural landscapes, including the hundred-meter waterfall, ancient village, and the Ancient Tea Horse Road (茶马古道), add an air of mystery and romance to Meiquan Village.

Meiquan Village is a key village for rural tourism nationwide. Leveraging its unique features such as “Ancient Tea Horse Road experience, Naxi-style homestays, Naxi folk culture experience, and hiking in Meiquan,” the village offers a wide range of tourism routes and activities. Visitors can choose to cycle along the country roads, enjoying the pastoral scenery and the beauty of lakes and mountains. They can also go hiking along the Meiquan River or into the forest oxygen bar, breathing in the fresh air and listening to the sounds of nature. Other activities such as fruit and vegetable picking, flower viewing, wedding photography, and folk culture performances provide diverse options for tourists.

The village is well-equipped with tourism facilities, including four rural tourism service companies, one Houniaowan (候鸟湾) tourist reception point, five farmhouses, twelve convenience stores, and fifteen restaurants. These facilities can meet the needs of tourists for dining, accommodation, and shopping. Cultural experience zones such as the traditional embroidery workshop and Dongba (东巴) papermaking workshop allow visitors to participate in traditional Naxi handicrafts and experience the unique local culture. In 2023, Meiquan Village received 900,000 visitors, significantly increasing the villagers’ income. Over 90% of the villagers are involved in horse-drawn tourism services. Rural tourism has brought considerable economic benefits to the local area and greatly improved the lives of the villagers.

Meiquan Village is a settlement of the Naxi ethnic group and is rich in Naxi cultural resources. Traditional art forms such as Naxi ancient music and ethnic dances have been passed down through generations. The village also has a heritage site for the Naxi classical music suite “Baisha Xiyue” (白沙细乐) and has formed a Naxi ancient music cultural heritage team to protect and pass on this ancient musical culture. Dongba culture, a unique cultural system of the Naxi ethnic group, is also fully displayed in Meiquan Village. Visitors can visit the Dongba papermaking workshop to learn about the process of making Dongba paper, practice writing Dongba script, and experience Dongba painting, immersing themselves in the charm of the ancient Naxi culture.

In terms of ecological conservation, Meiquan Village has incorporated the protection of vegetation into its village regulations and mobilized villagers to patrol the mountains voluntarily to protect forest resources. This ensures the natural beauty and ecological balance of the area. The ancient village’s appearance and unique Naxi culture led to its designation as a third – batch traditional Chinese village in 2014, attracting numerous tourists to experience its charm.

Meiquan Village has become an important part of Lijiang tourism with its beautiful natural scenery, rich cultural resources, and unique rural tourism projects. Here, visitors can not only enjoy the beauty of nature but also deeply experience the traditional culture of the Naxi ethnic group and the tranquility of rural life. Meiquan Village, a place full of poetry, is welcoming tourists from all over the world with its unique charm.