Zhongxin Village of Shuhe Sub-district in Gucheng District, Lijiang

Geographical Location

Ethnic Groups and Traditional Skills

Ethnic Composition (民族构成)

Traditional Skills (传统技艺)

• Naxi Handicraft Textile (纳西族手工纺织): Naxi women have passed down the ancient skill of handicraft textile – making from generation to generation. With the help of traditional wooden looms, they spin cotton grown locally or wool collected into yarn and weave it into cloth. During the weaving process, they incorporate techniques such as pattern – picking and embroidery to create auspicious patterns on the fabric, such as the sun, moon, stars, and lively flowers, birds, fish, and insects. These textiles are not only used for making daily clothing but also become handicrafts full of ethnic charm.
• Dongba Paper – making (东巴造纸): This unique paper – making process of the Naxi people is complex and delicate. Using the local endemic Daphne genus plant, Daphne lichiangensis, as the raw material, it goes through many processes, including collection, drying, soaking, boiling, washing, pounding, paper – pouring, paper – sticking, and paper – drying. Dongba paper is strong and has the characteristic of being mothproof, serving as an important carrier for the inheritance of Dongba culture. It is often used for writing Dongba scriptures and drawing Dongba paintings. Although fewer and fewer people master this skill nowadays, a few craftsmen in Zhongxin Village still adhere to this tradition.
• Woodcarving (木雕工艺): The woodcarving skill, which integrates the styles of multiple ethnic groups, is very popular in Zhongxin Village. Villagers select high – quality wood, such as azalea wood and walnut wood. Carved by craftsmen, various woodcarving works are produced. The patterns cover a wide range of topics, including myths and legends, historical stories, and local natural scenery. These woodcarvings are not only used for architectural decoration, such as doors and windows and beams, but also made into woodcarving ornaments and pendants. The carving style is rough but delicate, with a strong ethnic flavor.

Customs and Festivals

Daily Customs (日常习俗)

• Dietary Customs (饮食习俗): The diet of Zhongxin villagers integrates the characteristics of the Naxi and Tibetan ethnic groups. The main food consists of rice and noodles. The dining table often features Naxi dishes such as smoked pork ribs and various – flavored baba, Bai dishes such as Three – Course Tea and special – flavor raw pork, as well as Tibetan delicacies such as butter tea and tsampa. In terms of dining etiquette, the Naxi tradition of respecting the elderly and honoring the elders is deeply rooted. Younger generations must wait for their elders to start eating before they can begin.
• Living Customs (居住习俗): Influenced by the traditional architectural styles of various ethnic groups, the village features typical Naxi “Three Rooms and One Screen Wall” and “Four – Courtyard and Five Sky – wells” earth – wood – structure houses, as well as Tibetan – style stone – wood – structure houses. The Naxi “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, which are both beautiful and functional for wind – blocking and lighting. The main room is tall and spacious, facing north to south, and serves as the center of family activities, while the side rooms are used for living or storing items. Tibetan – style houses have a thick and simple appearance, with colorful decorations on the doors and windows, showing a unique ethnic style. The layout of the houses focuses on integration with the natural environment, with flowers and fruit trees planted in the courtyards to create a comfortable and pleasant living atmosphere.

Important Festivals (重要节日)

• Sanduo Festival (三朵节): On the eighth day of the second lunar month every year, the Naxi people celebrate the grand Sanduo Festival to worship their ethnic protector god “Sanduo”. Naxi villagers in Zhongxin Village dress in their finest clothes and go to the nearby Sanduo Temple to offer rich sacrifices, praying for favorable weather, abundant harvests, and prosperity of livestock. After the sacrifice, everyone gathers together to perform traditional dances such as Ali Li and Dajiao, creating a lively atmosphere.
• Torch Festival (火把节): On the twenty – fourth day of the sixth lunar month, the Yi, Bai, and other ethnic groups jointly celebrate the Torch Festival. On that evening, every household sets up a tall torch in front of their door, made of pine torches and 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. Subsequently, a grand bonfire party is held, with people singing and dancing around the bonfire, creating a spectacular scene.
• Tibetan Buddhist Festivals (藏传佛教节日): Due to the presence of Tibetan residents in the village and the integration with Tibetan Buddhist culture, important Tibetan Buddhist festivals such as the Butter Lamp Festival (on the twenty – fifth day of the tenth month in the Tibetan calendar) are also celebrated here with great enthusiasm. During the festival, villagers dressed in traditional costumes visit nearby temples. The temples are illuminated with numerous lamps. Lamas chant scriptures and offer blessings, while the public burn incense and turn prayer wheels. The entire scene is solemn and filled with a strong religious atmosphere.

Ancient Architecture

Traditional Residences

Ancient Bridges and Roads

Tourism Resources

Natural Scenery

• Rural Landscape (田园风光): Zhongxin Village is surrounded by vast and fertile farmlands with different scenery in each season. In spring, the fields are full of tender green wheat seedlings and fava bean seedlings, presenting a scene of vitality. In summer, the golden rapeseed flowers and plump rice panicles sway in the wind, showing the hope of harvest. In autumn, the rice fields are fragrant with a golden carpet covering the earth. In winter, although the farmland looks a bit desolate, the distant mountains and the farmland form a quiet ink – wash painting. Visitors can walk in the fields, participate in agricultural activities, and experience the fun of rural life.
• Forest Landscape (山林景观): The surrounding area of the village has vast forest land with a high forest coverage rate and a wide variety of trees. Walking in the forest, you can breathe fresh air, admire various rare plants, and hear the cheerful songs of birds. There are also some clear streams in the forest, with gurgling water adding a touch of liveliness. In summer, it is an ideal place to cool off. In autumn, the mountains covered with red leaves are poetic and picturesque, attracting many photography enthusiasts.

Cultural Scenery

• Cultural Experience (民族文化体验): Visitors can delve into the homes of different ethnic groups to experience their daily lives. Learn traditional handicrafts such as handicraft textile – making, Dongba paper – making, and woodcarving, taste ethnic – specific cuisine, and feel the unique atmosphere of harmonious coexistence of multiple ethnic groups. The village also regularly holds cultural activities such as ethnic song and dance performances and traditional handicraft displays, in which visitors can actively participate to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture.
• Ancient Architecture Tour (古建筑游览): Visit the traditional residences, ancient bridges, and roads in the village to appreciate the integration of multiple ethnic architectural styles and learn about their historical and cultural background. Some residences have been transformed into folk museums or guesthouses, where visitors can stay and experience a combination of tradition and modernity.

Leisure and Entertainment

• Picking Experience (采摘体验): The fruit – growing industry in Zhongxin Village and the surrounding areas is well – developed, with many orchards distributed around. During the fruit – ripening season, visitors can go to the orchards to participate in picking activities. They can pick fresh apples, pears, cherries, and other fruits by themselves, taste the sweetness of nature’s gifts, and experience the joy of harvest. Some orchards also offer farmhouse services, where visitors can enjoy the tranquility and comfort of the countryside while tasting farmhouse dishes.
• Guesthouse Leisure (民宿休闲): With the development of rural tourism, a number of characteristic guesthouses have emerged around Zhongxin Village. These guesthouses are mostly transformed from traditional residences, preserving the ethnic architectural style while being equipped with modern facilities. Visitors can relax in the guesthouse courtyard, drink tea, and enjoy the sunshine. They can also communicate with the guesthouse owners to learn about the local customs. Some guesthouses also offer special experience activities such as handicraft making and agricultural activities, making the trip more colorful.