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Naxi falconry culture
In China, the eagle hunting culture can be dated back to almost four thousand years ago....
In China, the eagle hunting culture can be dated back to almost four thousand years ago. Unfortunately, in quite long period in history, the culture has always been popular in the palace only among aristocrats, this situation lasted until the end of the 19th century. Now, its hard to see this precious human cultural heritage in the vast land of China .
when we see the situation of falconry in Individual regions ,the eagle hunting culture has lost its integrity. In the naxi region, however, formed a kind of folk custom, and relatively intact so far. the history of Naxi Falconry can be traced back to 1253 AD When Kublai Khan and his Mongolian army conquered Lijiang.
Why this kind of cultural phenomenon is enduring in the lijiang naxi areas?
There are 3 reason,
Firstly, Because Lijiang has unique natural geographical conditions. since the ancient times, there is a passage of birds migratory over Lijiang, every autumn, various birds of prey successively flying over lijiang from north to south, this is the prerequisite of eagle hunting culture for the lijiang .
Secondly, Naxi people accepted Chinese culture in Ming dyanaty i(about 1368 AD), so the traditional Chinese Confucian philosophy and moral ethics influenced them alot, Naxi ladies are working very hard while their husband are focusing on literature and study, they think a man should make achievement on literature rather than doing bussiness. man's life concept namely advocate nature, pursuit of quality of life is plain and simple. They are good at leisure, as long as they have free time,they engaged in music, chess, calligraphy and painting, flower ,species of bamboo, fishing and hunting activities .
Thirdly, Naxi people are open to foreign cultures ,In a long period of time in the history , there are less wars and natural disasters in lijiang, once in the different cultures were introduced it will not easy to loss.
Butter production by Tibetan farmer
Yak butter is still produced today by Tibetan farmers by hand using a traditional method....
Yak butter is still produced today by Tibetan farmers by hand using a traditional method. The first step is to collect milk from yaks. The milk is then poured into a tall wooden cylinder, followed by a continuous up-down plunging motion and churning of the milk by the farmer using a round wooden paddle, easily up to a few thousand times over an hour. When the resulting solidified butter begins to stick to the wall of the container, the farmer will collect the butter and cool it down using water, before squeezing the solid butter to remove any remnant liquid that may be still trapped inside the butter. The final step is to shape the butter by hand into the individual round cakes normally seen in the market, each piece weighing around one kilogram.
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Shaxi the faded caravan culture history
Shaxi is the gateway to Tibet ,the last town between Dali and Tibet also is one of the key point alone the old Tibetan road down to connect south Asia ,its located in the south part of of its head town Jianchuan ,mountains in Shaxi is also the...
Shaxi is the gateway to Tibet ,the last town between Dali and Tibet also is one of the key point alone the old Tibetan road down to connect south Asia ,its located in the south part of of its head town Jianchuan ,mountains in Shaxi is also the extension parts of Himalaya mountain ranges.the average altitude is 2000m ,the valley is surrounded on four sides by green mountains ,Black muddy river flow though the rich, flat, farming lands like a silver long scarf .there are 5 ethnic groups live here the Bai ,Naxi,Lisu,Han and Yi ,there are 65 villages with only about 20000 inhabitants.
Before 1952 no roads are built from this part to Tibet ,the only transportation means for goods and trading was horse caravan on earthly trails .therefore Shaxi is also view as the only surviving market town on the tea and horse caravan trail.
2 kinds of caravan groups ,one works for government, the other is made of individual trading group.the caravan groups could be teamed up by their ethnic identity as well as their believes ,such groups as Muslim caravan group.Bai caravan group etc .it could be teamed up as where they are from originally ,such as Shaxi caravan group ,Deqin group .
In this particular organization 3 persons are in charge .they are the head leader ,the vice leader and the manager .to be a head leader one must need to know very well about goods trading alone the trails ,includes local products from different regions ,pricing as well as handful of social network .who are also capable of dealing with different caravan groups,government officers ,local inn runners or whoever you may encountered along the long trip .he also needs to know everything about trails conditions ,rest stops ,bridges etc like back of his palm .while the leader is away then the vice leader became his replacement .the manager dealt with expenses such as incomes and outcomes ,he acts like a finance manager in all .
The rest of the people in such a groups are horse man.one horse man may take care of 4 horses .one caravan group consists 5 horse man as a unit
Lots of these groups contently travel to north part of Tibet ,west part of Burma and south Thailand .oftern such a journey would cross different ethnic groups in different territories ,and every part you came across all speak different languages.there is a such leader in dali from the past used to travel up to WEIXI ,he was able to speak Bai,Han,Naxi,Yi,Tibetan languages to assure no matter where his group went they could have a smooth journey .
The caravan culture disappeared long ago due to the roads developments in SW Yunnan .but the footprint of these great horse groups and its very trails are still stands somewhere still beyond the face of time .one day you can go out there and see it with your owns eyes .this is probably the charm of history combined with travel ,it awaits us for more discovery and connections with the long gone past .
Enjoy your reading !
Top Yunnan Province Tours
$300 Per Day
7 Days Kunming - Dali - Lijiang Classic Tour
Day 1 Arrive in Kunming - Free time
Today's Activities
Arrive in Kunming, the Spring City of China. Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the featured hotel to check in. After a little rest, free to explore around Kunming city, such as the "Kunming 's Jade" - Green Lake Park, Kunming's symbol building - Phoenix Archway, and the vibrant Flowers and Birds Market. Tonight you will stay at the featured hotel in Kunming.
Day 2 Kunming
...Read moreDay 1 Arrive in Kunming - Free time
Today's Activities
Arrive in Kunming, the Spring City of China. Meet your guide at the airport and transfer to the featured hotel to check in. After a little rest, free to explore around Kunming city, such as the "Kunming 's Jade" - Green Lake Park, Kunming's symbol building - Phoenix Archway, and the vibrant Flowers and Birds Market. Tonight you will stay at the featured hotel in Kunming.
Day 2 Kunming
Today's Activities
In the early morning we take you to visit the Yunnan Stone Forest, which is one of most remarkable natural phenomena of China. You will wonder at the innumerable bizarre-shaped ancient limestone cliffs and peaks, which is created by wind and water erosion some 270 million years ago.
After lunch you will proceed to explore the Guandu Old Town, which is one of the historic and cultural towns in Kunming area. The ancient Shaolin Temple and Vajra Pagoda are the must-see of this old town. You will spend a lazy afternoon without the hassle of leaving the city. You can sit down for a cup of tea and chat with local people. A designated food street on the old town's east side offers a wide selection of local eats. Tonight you will stay at the hotel in Kunming.
Day 3 Kunming - Dali
oday's Activities
After breakfast in the hotel, you will go to visit the Western Hills where Taoist temples and Buddhism Temples could be found. A very beautiful lake view of the Dianchi Lake comes into your eyes if being on the top of the Hills - Dragon Gate. The elevation of the Dragon Gate is over 2,300 meters, 300 meters higher than the water surface of the Dianchi Lake. It consists of the Sanqing Temple and the Dragon Gate Grotto which was accomplished through 72 years of hard work (1781-1853). The 3rd March of lunar year is a festive time in the Western Hills, when it is considered the best time for Kunming residents to climb the mountains and look into the distance, to admire the spring flowers and appreciate the feeling of new life.
After lunch, transfer to Dali city, the economic and cultural center of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture. Overnight at the hotel in Dali.
Day 4 Dali
Today's Activities
Today, enjoy your one-day day city tour. You will first take a visit to the famous Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Monastery. Then continue to explore Cangshan Mountain that made up of 17 peaks, among which, Malong Peak is the highest one that reach the height up to 4122m. You will catch a cable way up the mountain. On the mountain top, you can enjoy the fantastic view of Erhai Lake. After that, you have chance to ascend on the Ancient City Wall of Dali. Later return back to Dali Ancient Town to explore the town. Tonight you will stay at the hotel in Dali.
Day 5 Dali
Today's Activities
Today's program starts from Xizhou Village which is located about 18 kilometers north of Dali. Xizhou Village is one of the Bai ethnic minority villages around the Erhai Lake and has historic prominence with a cluster of over 100 protected buildings. First you will walk around local morning market to learn about local life and appreciate minority's handicraft works. Then your guide will escort you to visit the Yan Family's Residential House which is the typical house of local residents characterized by a traditional Chinese rectangular courtyard with a screen wall facing the gate. You will be greeted with the show of Three Courses of Tea which is the genuine tea ceremony of the Bai minority, and treated to a song & dance performance by local Bai people. Drive back to Dali. Enjoy a leisure stroll in Dali Old Town in the evening.
Day 6 Lijiang
Today's Activities
After breakfast, we will drive you to the spectacular Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, which is the largest snow mountain in the Northern Hemisphere. You will first enjoy the beautiful landscape at the Baishui River (White Water River). It flows at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The riverbed is made up of white marble and lime stones and the river looks white, hence the name of White River (Baishui).
Then proceed to Jade Water Village - a sacred palce of Dongba people. where you will visit a local Naxi family to get a close touch to the daily life of Naxi Minority.
Then visit the Jade Summit Lamasery, a famous Tibetan Temple with ancient forests clustering around . In its northern countyard you can enjoy the treasure of the temple - the giant Camellia Tree, which is more than 500 years old. Because its blossoming period lasts more than 100 days a year, and produces more than 20,000 flowers in 20 groups, it is renowned as "Ten-thousand-flower Camellia".
Afterwards catch a cable car to the summit of the Yak Meadow, one of 13 peaks of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. The landscape rises and falls on the meadow. In spring and summer, you can find yaks with black and white skin wandering in grass and all kinds of flowers. In autumn and winter, you will wonder at the sharp contrast between the mild edge of the meadow and the peaks of the snow mountain. The view is unforgettable. Looking down at Ganhaizi and continuous mountains, you will find that the snow mountain is so close to you. Cool wind gently blows on your face. All the things here are so beautiful and peaceful.
After lunch you enjoy the famous movie director Zhang Yimou's musical show "Impression Lijiang". Tonight you will stay at the hotel in Lijiang.
Day 7 Depart Lijiang
Today's Activities Free at leisure until transfer to the airport for next destination. Wish you a happy journey!
$63 Per Day
Two days hiking trip in Tiger Leaping Gorge
This is a wonderful hiking two days trip in Tiger Leaping Gorge, Day 1 pick up from lijiang hotel 8:30 by 2 hours car to Qiao tou,start hiking from qiao tou take 5 hours up to Tea hourse G.H over night there. Day 2 after breakfast take 4hours hiking down to the middle tiger leaping gorge ,have lunch there, then walk down to the river about 3-4 hours after take car back to lijiang.
$300 Per Day
9 Days Kunming - Xishuangbanna - Jianshui - Yuanyang
Day 1
we will meet you outside the baggage claim area at Kunming Airport and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is on your own to explore the city.
Accommodation: chose you like it.
Day 2 After breakfast, drive to Stone Forest.
The Stone Forest which is crowned as 'the essence of karst landforms in the world' and 'one of the eight natural wonders on earth'. Besides the rare geologic landscape and various stone formations, the rich Yi ethnic culture is also a highlight in the scenic area.
...Read moreDay 1
we will meet you outside the baggage claim area at Kunming Airport and transfer you to the hotel. The rest of the day is on your own to explore the city.
Accommodation: chose you like it.
Day 2 After breakfast, drive to Stone Forest.
The Stone Forest which is crowned as 'the essence of karst landforms in the world' and 'one of the eight natural wonders on earth'. Besides the rare geologic landscape and various stone formations, the rich Yi ethnic culture is also a highlight in the scenic area.
Day 3 Kunming to Jinghong in Xishaungbanna
Arrive in Jinghong , transfer to the hotel and have a rest .In the afternoon, you will travel to the Wild Elephant Valley in Sanchahe Nature Reserve, the only region in China where wild elephants are living. Here, you could appreciate the wild elephants herding and moving in companies, watch the trained elephants performing dancing, greeting and bathing as well as admire the amazing tropical rainforest landscape.
Accommodation:Dai Garden Hotel ( 4 star)
Day 4 Jinghong in Xishuangbanna
Today, we will transfer you to Menglun along the Mekong River to visit the Tropical Botanical Garden. On the way, visit the local market, a minority family and the temple in Ganlanba.
The Ganlanba is a place full of tropical scenery and Dai minority flavor. The majestic, splendid and ancient temples are the highlights to see. If Xishuangbanna is described as evergreen boundless forest, the Tropical Botanical Garden would be the soul of it, which collects the most typical rare plants of tropical rainforest. Afterwards, we will transfer you back to Jinghong.
Day 5 Jinghong in Xishuangbanna
The excursion will take you to Menghai in the morning to explore the Jingzhen Octagonal Pavilion, the Aini People's Village and the Tea Plantation.
In the afternoon, you will return to Jinghong and visit the Manting Park, the oldest park in Xishuangbanna. This is a place where you could enjoy beautiful scenery, appreciate unique constructions and taste traditional culture of the Dai People.
Day 6 Jinghong - Kunming - Jianshui
Arrive in Jianshui , transfer to you hotel and have a rest ,or night viewing the Jianshui Old Town.
Day 7 In Jainshui
You will firstly visit the Zhu Family Garden, a grand complex featuring in fancy combination of garden architecture and dwelling house. After that, you will proceed to Jianshui Confucius Temple, the largest Confucius Temple in Yunnan.Then we will take you to visit a 17-hole stone bridge, the Double Dragon Bridge.Last, visit today will end with a visit to Jianshui Ancient Town, famed as the 'Museum of Ancient Constructions'.
Day 8 Jianshui to Yuanyang
Today we will visit to a local market, a brilliant scene in Yuanyang when the locals flock in from all quarters wearing their colorful costumes and dresses. After, you will come to Duoyishu, another famous scenic area of Yuanyang Rice Terraces, to visit its local village and terraced fields. The last travel destination is the terraced fields in Laohuzui (Tiger's Mouth), distributed in a deep valley and resembling a huge flower.
Day 9 Back to Kunming
Depart Kunming, end our this tour.