Yezhi Town of Weixi County, Diqing

Ye Zhi Town（叶枝镇） is located in the northern part of Weixi Lisu Autonomous County (维西傈僳族自治县), Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (迪庆藏族自治州), Yunnan Province (云南省). It is situated in the upper reaches of the Lancang River (澜沧江), between the Yunling Mountain Range (云岭山脉) and the Biluoshan Mountain Range (碧罗雪山山脉). The town is bordered by Xiāruò Xiāng (霞若乡) of Deqin County to the east, Kāngpǔ Xiāng (康普乡) to the south, Cíkāi Xiāng (茨开镇) of Gongshan Derung and Nu Autonomous County (贡山独龙族怒族自治县) to the west, and Bādí Xiāng (巴迪乡) to the north. The administrative area of Ye Zhi Town covers 469.59 square kilometers.

History

Ye Zhi Town has a long history. In 801 AD, during the reign of Emperor Dezong of the Tang Dynasty (贞元十七年), Ye Zhi was one of the five cities where the Tibetan army was stationed. During the Qing Dynasty, the area belonged to the Kangye region. In the years of the Republic of China, Ye Zhi District and Township were established successively, and it was also once named the Third District. After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, it was long called the Fourth District and was renamed Shàngyóu (上游) and Mǎnjiānghóng (满江红) Commune during the commune movement. In 1988, it was established as a township. In 2003, the township was upgraded to a town, known as Ye Zhi Town. In September 2024, with the approval of the central government and the State Council, Ye Zhi Town was transferred from the jurisdiction of Weixi Lisu Autonomous County to Deqin County.

Folklore

Ye Zhi Town is a multi-ethnic settlement, mainly inhabited by Han, Naxi, Bai, Lisu, Tibetan, and Pumi ethnic groups. Rich ethnic cultures and traditional customs are preserved here, such as the Lisu ethnic group’s Azhi Muge singing and dancing and the traditional costumes of the Naxi ethnic group. On specific festivals, such as the 5th day of the 12th lunar month and from September to October, local people will hold Kuoshe Festival and Harvest Festival activities.

Weather and Best Time to Visit

Ye Zhi Town has a subtropical and temperate monsoon plateau mountain climate, with long winters and no summers, and spring and autumn connected, presenting a vertical climate. The average annual temperature is 14.3℃, with an average temperature of 14.3℃ in January and an extreme minimum temperature of -8.9℃; the average temperature in July is 18.8℃, with an extreme maximum temperature of 31.9℃. The best time to visit is in spring and autumn when the climate is pleasant and the scenery is the most beautiful.

Recommended Attractions

  • Yongchun River: The main river of Ye Zhi Town, with beautiful scenery along the river, suitable for hiking and photography.
  • Bapatang Village: Located along the Yongchun River, it is a village with ethnic characteristics where you can experience local folk culture.
  • Surrounding Natural Scenery: Including continuous mountains, streams, springs, and ancient walnut trees.

Suggested Duration of Stay

  • Yongchun River: It is recommended to stay for 1 hour.
  • Bapitang Village: It is recommended to stay for 2 hours.
  • Surrounding Natural Scenery: It is recommended to stay for half a day to one day.

Transportation

  • By Car: Depart from Weixi County (维西县城) and travel along the highway to Ye Zhi Town, with a total distance of about 86 kilometers.
  • By Public Transport: Take a bus from Weixi County Passenger Station to Ye Zhi Town.

Cuisine

  • Lisu Traditional Food: Such as Pise Meat and Zamba.
  • Steam Rice Cake: A local specialty.
  • Roast Suckling Pig: A local specialty.

Shopping

  • Ethnic Handicrafts: Such as wooden bowls and Zamba boxes, with a strong ethnic flavor.
  • Chinese Medicinal Materials: Such as Aucklandia and Platycodon, which are abundant locally.

Accommodation

There are Tibetan-style guesthouses available in and around Ye Zhi Town, with good conditions to experience Tibetan local customs and traditions.

Travel Tips

  • Respect Local Customs: When visiting, respect the religious beliefs and traditional customs of the local ethnic groups.
  • Protect the Environment: The ecological environment of Ye Zhi Town is good. Pay attention to environmental protection during your visit.
  • Safety First: The roads to Ye Zhi Town are relatively rugged. Drive carefully if you are traveling by car.

Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrive in Ye Zhi Town, visit the Yongchun River, experience local folk culture, and taste local specialties.
  • Day 2: Head to Bapitang Village to experience ethnic characteristics; in the afternoon, visit the surrounding natural scenery, such as mountains and streams.
  • Day 3: Return to Weixi County or continue to other attractions.
Ye Zhi Town is a place full of ethnic characteristics and cultural heritage, suitable for tourists who love folk culture and natural scenery. Here, you can feel the warm hospitality of the local people and appreciate the unique charm of ancient ethnic cultures. We hope that your trip to Ye Zhi Town will be fruitful and leave you with unforgettable memories.