Qingshui Village of Qina Town in Yongsheng County, Lijiang
Geographical Location
Qing Shui Village（清水村） is located in Qi Na Town, Yong Sheng County, Lijiang City, Yunnan Province. It is situated 40 kilometers to the south of Yong Sheng County, at the junction of Qi Na Town and Cheng Hai Town, on the narrow, hot, and dry river valley plain to the south of Cheng Hai Lake (程海湖), along the Jinsha River (金沙江). The village is nestled against Jiao Yi Mountain (交椅山) to the east and faces Feng Huang Mountain (凤凰山) to the west, stretching in a north-south direction. With its beautiful natural scenery, Qing Shui Village is approximately 70 kilometers away from the urban area of Lijiang, making it a convenient and ideal destination to experience the history and culture of Western Yunnan as well as its natural beauty.
Ethnic Groups and Traditional Skills
Ethnic Groups
The main ethnic group in Yong Sheng County is Han Chinese, who make up 69% of the total population. There are 11 ethnic minorities with populations of over 100 people, in descending order of population size: Lisu, Yi, Naxi, Bai, Dai, Hui, Tibetan, Pumi, Miao, Zhuang, and Hani. Qing Shui Village is also a settlement for ethnic minorities such as the Naxi and Lisu peoples. The diverse ethnic groups live harmoniously here, creating a unique multicultural landscape.
Traditional Skills
Qing Shui Village has preserved a variety of folk arts such as Yunnan Opera (滇剧), Dongjing Music (洞经), and Flower Lantern (花灯). In addition, there are more than 30 traditional crafts, including textile, papermaking, sugar boiling, and woodblock printing. To this day, crafts such as weaving, dyeing, papermaking, woodblock printing, and iron and woodwork still thrive. Side businesses like sugar making, brewing, fish farming, tofu making, and trading are also prosperous. Visitors can visit local traditional handicraft workshops to learn about the inheritance and development of these ancient skills and even experience the making process firsthand.
Customs and Festivals
The customs and festivals in Qing Shui Village are a blend of local Han and ethnic minority cultures. Yunnan Opera is the traditional drama of Qing Shui Village and the favorite folk art of the villagers. The village still has a Yunnan Opera band. In addition to this, Qing Shui Village is also rich in traditional festivals such as the Torch Festival of the Yi people and the Sanduo Festival of the Naxi people. During these festivals, there are grand sacrificial activities and song and dance performances, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
Ancient Architecture
Qing Shui Village was established in the 29th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1396), when the imperial court set up “Qing Shui Post Station” here. The village’s layout of “three streets and eighteen alleys” is well-preserved. The main street, stretching 1.8 kilometers from south to north, runs through the entire village from the South Pavilion to the North Pavilion. Traditional dwellings line both sides of the main street. The traditional architecture of Qing Shui Village includes temples, post stations, clan halls, residences, opera stages, granaries, and private schools. These buildings are exquisitely carved and beautifully painted. Among them, six Ming Dynasty structures, including the Dadian Hall of Ruiguang Temple and the Huang Family Ancestral Hall, are well-preserved. The East Peak Temple is one of the important buildings in the Qing Post Station temple complex. It was initially built in the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty and gradually developed into a Taoist temple complex during the Daoguang reign. It is now a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit.
Tourist Attractions
Natural Scenery
Qing Shui Village is nestled against Jiao Yi Mountain and faces Feng Huang Mountain, stretching in a north-south direction. With its beautiful natural scenery, the village is located in a plateau basin area at an altitude of 1520 meters. It is backed by green mountains to the east, bordered by clear waters to the west, enjoys a mild climate, and is rich in products, presenting a picture of a Jiangnan water town. Visitors can take a leisurely walk along the village paths, admire the surrounding mountains and waters, and enjoy the tranquility and beauty of nature.
Tea Horse Road Relics
Qing Shui Ancient Town is one of the post stations on the Tea Horse Road. During the Tang and Song dynasties, it belonged to the Nanzhao and Dali kingdoms. In the 29th year of the Hongwu reign of the Ming Dynasty (1396), the imperial court established the “Qing Shui Post Station” here. In the late Qing Dynasty, Qing Shui Village grew in size and was commonly referred to as “Qingyi” or “Qingyi District” by the locals. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, it had developed into a large village, known as the “Imperial Street.” Visitors can experience the fun of hiking the Tea Horse Road here and feel the historical charm of the ancient route. Along the way, you can also visit some old horse inns, tea shops, and other buildings to learn about the commercial culture and muleteer life of the Tea Horse Road.
Transportation
Self-Driving
Starting from the urban area of Lijiang, head south along the Yongbin Expressway, passing through Cheng Hai, which is famous for its production of spirulina. Then exit at Maojiawan and go downhill for a short distance, and you will see Qing Shui Village, which is nestled against mountains and bordered by water. The total distance is about 70 kilometers, and the driving time is approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. With its beautiful scenery and good road conditions, this route is the best choice for traveling to Qing Shui Village.
Public Transportation
Take a bus from the passenger station in the urban area of Lijiang to Yong Sheng County. The journey takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Upon arrival in Yong Sheng County, transfer to a local rural bus or taxi to Qing Shui Village, with a travel time of about 40 minutes.
Accommodation and Dining
Accommodation
Qing Shui Village offers several traditional folk houses that have been converted into guesthouses, providing a unique local accommodation experience. These guesthouses are beautifully decorated, well-equipped, and reasonably priced. In addition, there are also some hotels and inns in the urban area of Yong Sheng County, which offer better facilities but are slightly more expensive.
Dining
Qing Shui Village is home to a variety of local specialties, such as Yong Sheng soft-seed pomegranates and Cheng Hai spirulina. Visitors can enjoy these authentic local delicacies at the village’s farmhouse restaurants and experience the local food culture. In addition, you can also try some traditional Western Yunnan snacks, such as rice cakes and rice intestines, which are unique in flavor and reasonably priced.
Travel Tips
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Best Travel Time: Qing Shui Village is suitable for travel all year round. Spring (March to May) is when the mountains are covered with blooming flowers; summer (June to August) is cool and refreshing; autumn (September to November) offers pleasant scenery; and winter (December to February) is the time to experience local traditional festivals.
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Cultural Experience: Respect local customs and actively participate in folk activities. Engage in friendly exchanges with local residents to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture and lifestyle.
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Environmental Protection: Qing Shui Village boasts beautiful natural scenery. Visitors are encouraged to protect the environment by not littering, cherishing plants and trees, and preserving natural resources.
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Safety Tips: When visiting ancient buildings and engaging in outdoor activities, pay attention to safety and choose appropriate routes and equipment. If necessary, hire a local guide to ensure a safe and smooth journey.
