Wenhua Zhongcun Village of Huangshan Town in Yulong County, Lijiang

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Geographical Location

Ethnic Groups and Traditional Skills

Ethnic Composition

Traditional Skills

• Naxi Copperware Making (纳西族铜器制作技艺): The history of Naxi copperware making can be traced back to the Han Dynasty. In 2013, the Naxi copperware making technique was included in the third batch of provincial – level intangible cultural heritage in Yunnan Province. During the Yongzheng years, the Qing government’s policy of “Gaitu Guiliu” in the southwest region further integrated Naxi copperware making techniques with those from the Central Plains, developing more suitable production processes and tool shapes for the Naxi people’s production and life. In Wenhua Zhongcun, some craftsmen continue to inherit this ancient skill. They use purple copper as the main material, supplemented by a small amount of brass, and make copperware by hand – beating, incorporating techniques such as filigree and grinding. The resulting copperware is simple, heavy, elegant, and round. Some tools are also decorated with complex and exquisite patterns, making them very exquisite. Visitors can visit relevant workshops to watch craftsmen cut, polish, and beat copper sheets, and experience the whole process from copper ore smelting to copper cake shaping, tool shaping, fine carving, and polishing. If interested, visitors can also try their hand at making a small copper item under the guidance of craftsmen.
• Naxi Embroidery (纳西族刺绣): Naxi embroidery is also well – known in Wenhua Zhongcun. Naxi women use colorful silk threads as “brushes” to embroider various exquisite patterns on cloth. The patterns cover a wide range of topics, including auspicious dragon and phoenix patterns, happy flower and bird patterns, and scenes from Naxi history and legends. The embroidery stitches are diverse, with flat embroidery, lock stitch, and seed stitch being used skillfully. These embroidered works are not only used for clothing decoration, such as collars, cuffs, and belts, but also made into handkerchiefs, bags, and wall hangings. Visitors can visit villagers’ homes or embroidery workshops in the village to watch Naxi women embroidering on – site, feel the wisdom of the nation flowing between each stitch, and even try embroidery under their guidance to make a unique embroidered souvenir.
• Specialty Food Preparation (特色美食制作): The Naxi food culture is rich and colorful in Wenhua Zhongcun. Visitors can taste many local delicacies and learn their cooking methods. For example, Naxi grilled fish is made from fresh local fish. After being killed and marinated, the fish is grilled over charcoal, brushed with special sauce, and sprinkled with chili, Sichuan peppercorns, and scallions. The grilled fish has a golden – brown and crispy skin, with tender and juicy meat inside. It tastes spicy, fresh, and fragrant, leaving a lasting aftertaste. Naxi rice sausage is another must – try dish. Made mainly from rice and pig’s blood, it is stuffed into cleaned pig intestines and then steamed. When eating, it is sliced, with a soft and glutinous texture and a rich aroma. In addition, the Naxi cured meat platter is also worth trying. It includes cured pork ribs, cured beef, and cured pork belly. After marinating and air – drying, the cured meat has a rich flavor and can be steamed or stir – fried.

Customs and Festivals

Daily Customs

• Dietary Customs (饮食习俗): The Naxi people mainly eat rice and wheat as staple foods, with a preference for sour, spicy, and sweet flavors. During family meals or entertaining guests, table manners are quite important. Younger generations must wait for their elders to be seated and start eating before they can begin. In addition to the previously mentioned local delicacies, the village’s abundant water resources offer a variety of fresh fish dishes. In addition to grilled fish, steamed fish and fish soup are also very popular.
• Living Customs (居住习俗): Traditional residences in Wenhua Zhongcun are mostly earth – wood – structure houses, integrating the architectural styles of the Naxi “Three Rooms and One Screen Wall” and “Four – Courtyard and Five Sky – wells”. The “Three Rooms and One Screen Wall” is composed of the main room, two side rooms, and a screen wall. The screen wall is usually built with bricks and stones and is decorated with beautiful patterns of landscapes and flowers and birds. It is not only beautiful but also serves as a wind – blocking and lighting function. The main room faces north to south and is spacious and bright. It is the core area of family activities, used for receiving guests and holding important ceremonies. The side rooms are mainly used for living or storing items. The courtyard is often planted with flowers and fruit trees to create a warm and comfortable living environment. The fireplace inside the house is an important part of family life. In addition to being used for heating and cooking, it is also a place for family members to sit together, chat, and pass on family stories.

Important Festivals

• Naxi New Year (纳西族新年): The Naxi New Year (in the twelfth lunar month) is one of the most important festivals in Wenhua Zhongcun. From the twelfth lunar month, every household begins to get busy, cleaning the house and preparing New Year’s goods. On New Year’s Eve, the whole family gathers for a sumptuous dinner and holds a ceremony to worship their ancestors, expressing gratitude for the protection of their ancestors. On the first day of the New Year, people dress in new clothes, visit relatives and friends, and exchange greetings. During the festival, the village holds a variety of traditional folk activities, such as Dongba scripture – chanting for blessings, Naxi ancient music performances, and traditional dance performances. Villagers wear bright national costumes and dance and sing happily. Tourists can deeply participate in these activities and feel the strong festive atmosphere of the Naxi New Year.
• Torch Festival (火把节): On the twenty – fourth day of the sixth lunar month, Wenhua Zhongcun and the surrounding areas celebrate the Torch Festival together. On the evening of the festival, every household sets up a tall torch in front of their door, made of pine torches and dry firewood, and decorated with colorful flags. As night falls, the torches are lit. Villagers hold small torches and parade around the big torch, chanting blessings for peace and a good harvest. Subsequently, a grand bonfire party begins, with people dancing around the fire. People of all ages are immersed in the joyful atmosphere. The Torch Festival is also an opportunity for friends and relatives to get together and strengthen their bonds. Tourists can dance and sing with the villagers and experience the unique national风情.
• Mule and Horse Fair (骡马会): Every year in mid – July of the lunar calendar, the nearby Shigu Town holds a grand Mule and Horse Fair, in which villagers from Wenhua Zhongcun actively participate. The Mule and Horse Fair was originally established for the trading of mules, horses, and other livestock. Now it has developed into a comprehensive event integrating trade, culture, and entertainment. During this period, people from all over come together, bringing a wide variety of goods. In addition to livestock trading, there are traditional song and dance performances, folk sports competitions, and other activities. The traditional Naxi song and dance is wonderfully presented at the Mule and Horse Fair, showing the charm of national culture. Sports competition items such as horse racing and wrestling attract many participants, showing people’s vitality and courage. Tourists can feel the lively market atmosphere at the Mule and Horse Fair, enjoy the folk performances, and participate in interesting activities.

Ancient Architecture

Tourism Resources

Natural Scenery

• Rural Landscape (田园风光): The surrounding area of Wenhua Zhongcun is surrounded by vast and fertile farmland, with different scenery in each season. In spring, the golden rape flowers and tender green wheat seedlings interweave to form a colorful rural painting. In summer, the crops grow vigorously, and the breeze creates rolling green waves. In autumn, the golden rice and full corn crops are harvested, and the fields are covered with yellow, filled with the joy of harvest. In winter, although the fields are relatively quiet, the distant mountains and fields form a peaceful and harmonious picture. Visitors can walk along the rural paths, enjoy the rural scenery, breathe in the fresh air, and feel the gifts of nature. They can also participate in agricultural activities such as sowing, harvesting, and picking, experience the fun of traditional farming life, and learn about the growth process of crops.
• Wenbi Sea Scenery (文笔海景观): The village is not far from Wenbi Sea, a natural lake with clear water surrounded by mountains and dense forests. Visitors can go to Wenbi Sea, walk along the lakeside, enjoy the beautiful lake and mountain views, and feel the tranquility and beauty of nature. They can also have picnics and camp by the lake, enjoying the fun of being close to nature. In addition, there are some hiking trails around Wenbi Sea, suitable for visitors who love outdoor sports. Walking along the hiking trails, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery from different angles and feel the charm of nature.

Cultural Scenery

• Intangible Cultural Heritage Experience (非遗文化体验): Visitors can delve into Wenhua Zhongcun to experience the rich intangible cultural heritage of the Naxi people. Learn Naxi copperware making and make a piece of copperware under the guidance of craftsmen. Learn Naxi embroidery and experience the national art between the needle and thread. Participate in the preparation of Naxi specialty foods and taste authentic Naxi flavors. The village regularly holds intangible cultural heritage activities such as traditional handicraft displays and intangible cultural heritage inheritance lectures. Visitors can actively participate to gain a deeper understanding of the unique cultural connotations of the Naxi people.
• Red Cultural Connection (红色文化关联): Lijiang has a profound red history. Although Wenhua Zhongcun itself does not have any direct red cultural relics, there are some related attractions in the surrounding areas. For example, the Lijiang Red Army Long March Command Memorial Hall displays the history of the Red Army’s Long March in Lijiang. Visitors can go there to learn about the arduous journey of the Long March through physical objects, pictures, and texts, and feel the great spirit of the Long March.

Leisure and Entertainment

• Farm – Stay Experience (农家乐体验): There are several farm – stays around Wenhua Zhongcun that offer authentic local dishes such as Naxi – style grilled fish, rice sausage, cured meat platter, and various fresh seasonal vegetables. The farm – stays have beautiful environments, mostly with courtyards where visitors can dine and enjoy the tranquility and comfort of the countryside. Some farm – stays also provide accommodation services, with simply decorated rooms that offer a slow – paced rural life experience. In addition, farm – stays have leisure and entertainment facilities such as card rooms and tea rooms, where visitors can relax and unwind after their travels.
• Folk Activity Participation (民俗活动参与): Visitors can participate in a variety of rich folk activities in the village. In addition to the previously mentioned Torch Festival and Naxi New Year activities, you can also attend Naxi ancient music performances to appreciate the unique rhythm of ancient Naxi music. In the village’s cultural square, villagers often organize traditional dance activities. Visitors can join in, learn Naxi dances from the villagers, and dance and sing with everyone, enhancing their understanding of Naxi culture and spending a happy and unforgettable time.

Transportation Guide

External Transportation

• By Air (飞机): First, arrive at Lijiang Sanyi International Airport, which is about 30 kilometers away from Wenhua Zhongcun. Take an airport bus to Lijiang city center at the airport. After arriving in Lijiang city center, you can choose to take a taxi or transfer to a bus to Huangshan Town. After arriving in Huangshan Town, go to Wenhua Zhongcun. The whole journey from the airport to Huangshan Town takes about 1 hour, and from Huangshan Town to Wenhua Zhongcun only takes a few minutes.
• By Car (汽车): If departing from a nearby city, you can take a long – distance bus directly to Lijiang Passenger Station. Lijiang has frequent bus services to surrounding cities such as Dali and Kunming. After arriving at Lijiang Passenger Station, transfer to a bus to Huangshan Town and then to Wenhua Zhongcun.
• By Train (火车): Take a train to Lijiang Station. Lijiang Station has trains to major cities across the country, making transportation convenient. You can choose to take a taxi or a bus to Huangshan Town at Lijiang Station, and then go to Wenhua Zhongcun.

Internal Transportation

• Local Small – Sized Means of Transportation (当地小型交通工具): In Huangshan Town, you can choose to take a tricycle or other small – sized means of transportation to Wenhua Zhongcun. The price is relatively cheap and convenient. You can negotiate the price with the driver and pay attention to safety during the ride.
• Self – driving (自驾): If you choose to drive yourself, you can set the destination to Wenhua Zhongcun via a navigation software. Departing from Lijiang city center, drive along the corresponding road to Huangshan Town, and then to Wenhua Zhongcun. The road conditions are good during the drive, and the scenery along the way is beautiful. You can stop at any time to enjoy it. However, please pay attention to traffic rules and drive safely.