Tongle Village Lisu Ethnic Culture Protection Area in Yezhi Town of Weixi County, Diqing

Tongle Village (同乐村) is located in Yezhi Town (叶枝镇), Weixi Lisu Autonomous County (维西傈僳族自治县), within Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It sits on the eastern bank of the Lancang River (澜沧江) at an altitude of approximately 1,840 meters. It is an ancient Lisu (傈僳族) village in the core area of the “Three Parallel Rivers” (三江并流) region. The village is about 80 kilometers from the county seat of Weixi (维西县城) and 9 kilometers from the town government of Yezhi (叶枝镇政府).

History and Culture

Tongle Village (同乐村) has been a central area of activity for Lisu ancestors for over 200 years. It is the birthplace of the national intangible cultural heritage “Aqimuga” (阿尺木刮), and a key site for the dissemination of the “Weixi Lisu Syllabic Script” (维西傈僳族音节文字). In 2006, Tongle Village was officially named one of the first provincial-level Traditional Culture Preservation Areas by the Yunnan Provincial Government.

Folk Customs

Traditional Dwellings: Most houses in Tongle Village are built in the log-cabin style (井干式木楞房), constructed on hillsides in an orderly yet staggered fashion—typical examples of traditional Lisu architecture.
Traditional Songs and Dances: As the birthplace of “Aqimuga” (阿尺木刮), the village is known for this self-entertainment-style folk performance, passed down through generations. The content is rich and the forms are diverse.
Traditional Customs: The Lisu people revere spirits and deities and believe in animism. Annual sacrificial ceremonies are held to worship mountain gods, fire gods, etc. The community also celebrates a distinctive coming-of-age ritual where 13-year-old children participate in a pants/skirt-wearing ceremony symbolizing adulthood.

Weather and Best Travel Seasons

Tongle Village is located in a semi-mountainous area with a mild and humid climate. The best seasons to visit are spring and autumn, when the weather is pleasant and the scenery is at its most beautiful.

Recommended Attractions

Traditional Lisu Dwellings in Tongle Village: One of the best-preserved traditional Lisu villages in China, with high cultural significance.
Aqimuga Transmission and Learning Center (阿尺木刮传习中心): A place to learn in-depth about the history and culture of “Aqimuga.”
Surrounding Natural Scenery: The mountains behind the village are part of the Baima Snow Mountain Nature Reserve (白茫雪山自然保护区), featuring virgin forests, seas of rhododendrons, and sightings of the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey (滇金丝猴).

Suggested Duration of Stay per Destination

General Visit of Tongle Village: 1–2 days are recommended to fully experience the local folk culture and natural beauty.
Aqimuga Transmission and Learning Center: Half a day is sufficient to explore this intangible cultural heritage site in detail.

Transportation

Self-driving: Drive from the Weixi county seat to Yezhi Town, then continue to Tongle Village. The total distance is about 80 kilometers.
Public Transport: Take a long-distance bus from Lijiang Bus Station (丽江客运站) to Weixi County, then transfer to a bus heading to Deqin (德钦). Get off at the Tongle Village intersection and walk about 5 kilometers to reach the village.

Local Cuisine

  • Weixi Hundred Flower Honey (维西百花蜜): A rich and flavorful local specialty.
  • Bise Meat (琵瑟肉): A traditional Lisu dish with a unique taste.
  • Clear Soup Fish (清汤鱼): Freshly caught fish from the Lancang River, known for its delicate flavor.

Shopping

  • Lisu Ethnic Clothing (傈僳族服饰): Brightly colored and intricately patterned.
  • Ethnic Handicrafts: Items such as grass weaving, bamboo weaving, and wooden bowls, rich in ethnic characteristics.

Accommodation

Tongle Village offers homestays and guesthouses with standard rooms. The conditions are generally good and meet basic accommodation needs.

Visitor Tips

  • Respect Local Customs: Be mindful of Lisu religious beliefs and traditional customs during your visit.
  • Environmental Protection: Tongle Village boasts a well-preserved ecological environment; please help keep it clean.
  • Safety: The road to Tongle Village is winding and rugged—exercise caution when driving.

Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive at Tongle Village, visit the Lisu Traditional Dwelling Complex, experience local folk customs, and taste traditional food.
Day 2: Visit the Aqimuga Transmission and Learning Center to explore this unique intangible cultural heritage. In the afternoon, enjoy surrounding natural attractions like virgin forests and rhododendron fields.

Tongle Village (同乐村) is a place rich in ethnic heritage and cultural depth, ideal for travelers who appreciate folk traditions and natural beauty. Here, you can experience the warm hospitality of the Lisu people and immerse yourself in the unique charm of an ancient ethnic culture. We hope your journey to Tongle Village leaves you with lasting memories and meaningful experiences.

For Chinese version please go to:
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-11111-1182.html