Weixi County Entertainment in Diqing
Weixi Lisu Autonomous County (维西傈僳族自治县) is located in northwestern Yunnan Province (云南省) and southwestern Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州). Situated in the core area of the Three Parallel Rivers (三江并流) World Natural Heritage site encompassing the Jinsha (金沙江), Lancang (澜沧江), and Nujiang (怒江) rivers, it borders:
- Shangri-La City (香格里拉市) to the east
- Lanping Bai and Pumi Autonomous County (兰坪白族普米族自治县) to the south
- Yulong Naxi Autonomous County (玉龙纳西族自治县) to the southeast
- Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County (贡山独龙族怒族自治县) and Fugong County (福贡县) to the west
- Deqin County (德钦县) to the northeast and north
The county covers 4,476.67 square kilometers of administrative area.
Climate and Best Time to Visit
With its low-latitude plateau location, Weixi County (维西县) features a subtropical and temperate monsoon highland mountain climate characterized by:
- Long winters without distinct summers
- Connected spring and autumn seasons
- Clear dry/wet and major/minor rainy season divisions
Annual temperatures range from -1.5°C to 15.3°C. The optimal visiting periods are spring and autumn when weather is pleasant and scenery most beautiful.
Transportation
- Self-driving: From Shangri-La City (香格里拉市) via highway – approximately 219km
- Public Transport: Buses available from Shangri-La Bus Station (香格里拉客运站)
Cuisine
- Lisu (傈僳族) specialties: Pisirou (琵瑟肉), Zanba (糌粑)
- Local produce: Premium Weixi walnuts (维西核桃)
Shopping
- Ethnic handicrafts: Wooden bowls, Zanba boxes (糌粑盒)
- Medicinal herbs: Gastrodia elata (天麻), Fritillaria (贝母)
Accommodation
Tibetan-style homestays available throughout the county offering authentic cultural experiences.
Travel Tips
- Respect Lisu (傈僳族) customs and religious practices
- Help preserve the pristine ecosystem
- Exercise caution on mountain roads
Sample Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival & visit to Cizhong Church (茨中教堂) for cultural immersion
Day 2: Explore Baima Snow Mountain National Nature Reserve (白马雪山国家级自然保护区)
Day 3: Return to Shangri-La (香格里拉市) or continue journey
Entertainment Activities in Weixi County
Traditional Festivals
Kuoshi Festival
Celebrated from the 5th to 15th of the 12th lunar month, this major Lisu (傈僳族) event features:
- Family gatherings with feasts
- Youth activities including archery, dancing, antiphonal singing, and swinging
Tuoxiangpi Festival
Held on July 15th (lunar calendar), this mountain deity worship ceremony includes:
- Bullfighting
- Goat fighting
- Horse racing
Cultural Square Activities
Qibie Village Cultural Square (启别村文化广场) serves as a multifunctional space for:
- Traditional Xianzi (弦子) and Reba (热巴) performances
- Cultural exchange activities
- Folk art demonstrations
Rural Tourism Experiences
Agricultural Activities
- Vegetable picking
- Wild mushroom foraging
- Traditional tofu making
Handicraft Workshops
- Weaving
- Pottery making
Fishing Experiences
Interactive river fishing activities in designated areas
Seasonal Events
Shangri-La May Horse Racing Festival
Major event combining:
- Equestrian competitions
- Cultural performances
- Ethnic food fairs
Shared Spiritual Homeland Cultural Activities
Promoting ethnic unity through:
- Multicultural performances
- Traditional art exhibitions
- Interethnic exchanges
Other Recreational Activities
Outdoor Adventures
- Haba Snow Mountain (哈巴雪山) climbing
- Black Sea (黑海) camping and hiking
Ethnic Performances
- Lisu (傈僳族) and Naxi (纳西族) song-and-dance shows
- Daci Opera (大词戏) performances at Bahe Town Amateur Theater Troupe (保和镇业余剧团)