Puze Village of Wujiepu Town in Luxi County, Honghe Prefecture

🌄 Overview

Puzhe Village (普泽村), located in the western semi-mountainous area of Wujiepu Town, Luxi County (泸西县午街铺镇), lies just 3.6 km from the township center at an altitude of 1,692 m.
Recognized in 2020 as part of the 4th batch of China’s Traditional Villages, it spans 18.69 km². The economy is based on rice and flue-cured tobacco, with the recent addition of a blueberry plantation to promote agri-tourism integration.
Home mainly to the Yi people (Axi branch) and Han residents, the village reflects harmonious ethnic blending and an ecological layout described as “fields embracing the village, pines and cypresses shading the land.”

📜 History & Ethnic Background

• Origins: In Yi language, the village is called Jidu Hai (吉嘟嗨), meaning “a damp valley with a temple.” It dates back to the Ming-Qing farming settlement period and once served as a bustling post road for merchants.

• Archaeology: Unearthed pottery fragments prove a settlement history of over 2,000 years. The name “Puzhe” was adopted in 1950, symbolizing good fortune and well-being.

• Ethnic Makeup: Predominantly Yi (Axi branch), later joined by Han migrants. The village preserves folk traditions such as bullfighting.

🏠 Architecture & Landscapes

• Traditional Houses: Mostly timber-earth structures (13 preserved traditional dwellings), built on slopes, facing east. Walls are decorated with corn and chili strings, embodying farming culture.

• Historic Temple: Puan Temple (普安寺 / White Ox Temple), founded in 1745 (Qianlong era, Qing Dynasty), stands as a testament to the village’s religious past.

• Natural Scenery: Backed by Dui Men Mountain forests, with the Yusa River flowing through. Seasonal highlights include:

  • 🌸 Spring: vast rapeseed blossoms around farmlands.

  • 🍂 Autumn: wetland park for fishing and birdwatching.

🍲 Food Culture

• Local Produce: Rice, flue-cured tobacco, and Chinese chives (韭黄) — awarded “One Village, One Product” recognition in 2021.

• New Specialty: Since 2023, a blueberry base has boosted fresh fruit supply to cold-chain markets.

• Village Cuisine: Farmhouse inns serve organic rice dishes, smoked pork, and the famous Luxi grilled tofu with chili dip 🌶️.

👗 Costumes & Customs

• Yi Attire:

  • Women: indigo linen blouses with silver ornaments, aprons embroidered with Rhododendron motifs.

  • Men: cross-collar cloth shirts with headwraps, practical for farming.

• Visitors can rent traditional costumes during festivals or watch live embroidery workshops.

🎶 Traditions & Folk Life

• Dance & Music: The Yi Axi “Jumping Dance (跳月)” and “Cigarette Box Dance (烟盒舞)” are living heritages. Weddings feature long-table banquets, where guests are greeted with gate wine and toast songs.

• Community Life: Firepit gatherings and four-stringed lute performances enrich village evenings.

• Governance: A “red-black list” village rule strengthens solidarity and conflict resolution.

✨ Festivals & Events

• Torch Festival (火把节): Held on the 24th day of the 6th lunar month, featuring bonfires, wrestling, and thousand-person Yi dances.

• Pear Blossom Festival (梨花节, Spring): Includes health hikes and ethnic performances.

• Farming Rituals: During rice transplanting season, the “Opening the Rice Gate” ceremony welcomes visitors to join farm activities.

✋ Handicrafts

• Embroidery: Yi women are skilled in floral and animal patterns used on aprons and bags. Visitors can buy embroidery pieces at local fairs or join simple workshops.

🙏 Religion & Language

• Beliefs: Natural worship is integrated into festivals, especially the Torch Festival. Puan Temple (普安寺) remains a key religious heritage site.

• Language: Yi (Axi dialect) is widely spoken, with Mandarin used for communication — no language barriers for visitors.

⚙️ Travel Tips

• Transportation: About 40 minutes by car from Luxi County; search “Puzhe Village, Wujiepu Town (普泽村 午街铺镇)” for navigation. Village roads are fully paved.

• Best Seasons:

  • 🌸 Spring: pear blossoms & rapeseed fields.

  • 🔥 Summer: Torch Festival.

  • 🍇 Autumn: blueberry harvest & wetland birdwatching.

• Facilities: The village has a primary school and clinic. Farmhouse inns provide lodging and meals, making it ideal for family-friendly cultural tours.

🌟 Travel Theme

Puzhe Village (普泽村) thrives on the theme of “Ancient Temples & Pine Shades + Blueberry Fields.”
Here, visitors can explore centuries-old temples at dawn, join bonfire dances by night, and wander through a cultural mosaic where Yi and Han traditions harmonize — a living nostalgia of Southeast Yunnan. 🌾