Wenhua Village of Baisha Town in Yulong County, Lijiang

Chinese Name: 丽江玉龙县白沙镇玉湖村委会文华村
English Name: Wenhua Village of Baisha Town in Yulong County, Lijiang

Wenhua Village (文华村) is part of the Yuhu Administrative Village (玉湖行政村) in Baisha Township (白沙乡), located in a semi-mountainous area. It is situated 3 kilometers north of the village committee and 6 kilometers from the township government. The total land area is 9,521 acres, with an altitude of 3,200 meters. The annual average temperature is 8.9°C, and the annual precipitation is 935.8 millimeters. This climate is suitable for growing crops such as corn and turnips. The village has 589 acres of cultivated land, with an average of 2.89 acres per person, and 3,692 acres of forest land.

Population and Economy

The village has 53 households and a total population of 219, with 204 engaged in agriculture. Among the labor force, 109 people work, and 48 are employed in the primary sector. In 2007, the village’s total economic income was 640,000 yuan, with a per capita net income of 2,470 yuan. The primary source of income for the villagers is tourism.

Cultural and Scenic Features

Wenhua Village is renowned for preserving the traditional Naxi (纳西) ethnic architecture. Visitors can enjoy a scenic ride on horseback or hike from Pearl Lake (珍珠湖) to Yuhu Village (玉湖村). The village is located near several picturesque Pearl Lakes, offering beautiful views at the foot of Yulong Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山).

Key Resources

Ecological Resources

• Total land area: 9,521 acres, including 3,692 acres of forest and 1,782 acres of water.

• Economic tree planting: 80 acres of apples and other fruit trees, with an average of 0.4 acres per person.

Architectural Features

• All 53 households reside in earth-and-wood houses.

• The village preserves the traditional Naxi “Three Courtyards and One Screen Wall” (三坊一照壁) architectural layout.

Infrastructure

• Roads: Cement roads lead into the village.

• Communication: 100% of households have electricity, and 75% have mobile phone service.

• Water supply: The village has a small water reservoir.

• Transportation: The village has 30 tractors for transportation.

Cultural and Tourism Development

Collaborative Advantages

As one of the three natural villages in Yuhu Village, Wenhua Village shares the “First Village at the Foot of Yulong Mountain” (玉龙山下第一村) tourism brand and participates in the operations of the Yuhu Village Collective Tourism Cooperative (玉湖村集体旅游合作社).

Unique Experiences

Visitors to Wenhua Village can engage in various activities, including:

• Snow Mountain Trekking (雪山徒步).

• Naxi Family Visits (纳西家访).

• Experiencing traditional farming activities such as turnip planting (蔓菁种植).

Latest Developments

• 2025 Plan: Wenhua Village will be included in the overall planning of Yuhu Village, with shared investments amounting to 70 million yuan for infrastructure improvements, such as an ecological parking lot.

• Annual income: The villagers’ average annual income is projected to rise to 32,600 yuan by 2024.

• The village will continue to participate in the “Five Guarantees” environmental management program, ensuring that waste is cleaned up daily.

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit

• Best season: June to October (summer peak season) is the ideal time to visit.

Transportation

• Driving: It takes about 1 hour by car from Lijiang Old Town (丽江古城) to Wenhua Village. After passing Yuhu Village, continue north for 3 kilometers to reach the village.

Things to Keep in Mind

• Altitude: As Wenhua Village is located at a high altitude, visitors should take precautions against both cold weather and sun exposure.

• Respect local customs, such as the Naxi fire pit taboo (纳西族火塘禁忌).