Current location:politics >>
Enjoying Breathtaking Landscapes, Folk Culture in Nanjian
politics3498People have gathered around
IntroductionContact Us HomeNewsHighlightACWF NewsSocietyWom ...
- Home
- News
- People
- In-depth
- ACWF
Enjoying Breathtaking Landscapes, Folk Culture in Nanjian
February 10, 2024
While much of the country is coping with cold winter conditions, there is an ideal place in China where travelers can embrace sunshine and a sea of flowers — the cherry blossom valley of Wuliang Mountain. It is situated in Nanjian Yi Autonomous County, in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, in southwest China's Yunnan Province. Nanjian is known for its picturesque scenery, and its traditional ethnic culture.
Picturesque Scenery
Wuliang Mountain is no stranger to wuxia (martial arts and chivalry) fans, both at home and abroad. In the wuxia novels, written by Jin Yong, one of the most influential wuxia novelists during the 20th century, the mountain is a mysterious and romantic place, where some peerless masters live in seclusion. In reality, it is known for its tea and picturesque view of cherry blossoms in winter.
The locals began planting tea more than 1,000 years ago. Given the area's high altitude, humidity, low-intensity sunlight, and wide temperature fluctuations between day and night, the tea leaves are thick and tender. The tea, processed from the high-quality tea leaves, has a rich aroma and taste.
The locals have long planted cherry trees in the tea gardens, to help reduce damage to the tea leaves caused by long hours of sunshine. The cherry trees not only provide shade for the tea leaves, but also turn the tea garden into a fairyland when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Every year, the cherry blossoms come out between late November and early December. The pink blossoms decorate the blue sky and green tea fields, making it a paradise for tourists and photographers.
Natural Wonders
Nanjian is also famous for its unique landform of earth forest, formed by geological movement and soil erosion (mainly caused by water) millions of years ago. Magnificent earth pillars, of various forms, look like pillars, swords, bamboo shoots, human figures and exotic animals. As visitors are enjoying the breathtaking scenery, they can let their imaginations run wild.
The earth forest, which covers nearly one square kilometer, has a wide range of vibrant colors, including red, yellow, orange, white and brown. With fantastic forms, diverse colors, and a grand landscape, it is like a world of wonders, created by great nature.
Unique Folk Culture
In Nanjian, the people of the Yi ethnic group have an interesting tradition, tiaocai, or dancing while serving dishes. The dance, which has a history of more than 1,200 years, is often performed to entertain guests on grand occasions, including festivals, weddings and funerals.
During banquets, after the guests take their seats, tiaocai begins. Performers, with Yi costumes, begin serving the dishes, from the kitchen to the tables. The dishes are often placed in porcelain bowls, or on porcelain plates. The performers carry the dishes, or wooden trays on which the dishes are placed, with their hands, arms, and even their heads. Highly skilled performers are able to carry the dishes with their teeth; they can clench a tray, or even a small table (on which the dishes are placed), in their teeth.
Even more amazing, the performers dance to the rhythm of a drum, suona horn (a woodwind instrument), and/or other folk instruments, while they carry the dishes. They jump, swing their arms, sway back and forth, rotate their bodies, or perform dance movements that imitate animals, such as a deer looking at the moon, and an egret stretching its leg. When the performers arrive at the tables, they arrange the tasty dishes, in a traditional way. It is marvelous that not even a drop of soup is spilled during the process.
Tiaocai, which combines food, music, dance and acrobatics, reflects the unique traditional culture of the Yis in Nanjian. In 2003, Nanjian was named "the hometown of tiaocai folk art in China" by the Ministry of Culture (the predecessor of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism). In 2008, China added tiaocai to the list of the country's intangible cultural heritage.
Photos from Shen Haibin and VCG
(Women of China English Monthly January 2024)
32.3KPlease understand that womenofchina.cn,a non-profit, information-communication website, cannot reach every writer before using articles and images. For copyright issues, please contact us by emailing: [email protected]. The articles published and opinions expressed on this website represent the opinions of writers and are not necessarily shared by womenofchina.cn.
Comments
Magazines
Projects
- 2023 Women Science and Technology Innovation Pioneer...
Photos
- People Enjoy Blooming Tulips in Jinan, East...
- Flowers Bloom Across China in Spring
Special Coverage
Tags:
Reprint:Friends are welcome to share on the Internet, but please indicate the source of the article when reprinting it.“Stellar Space news portal”。http://libya.barryexit.org/html-96e599891.html
Related articles
Devout Christian doctor, 68, who punched dementia
politicsAn 'arrogant' doctor who punched a vulnerable patient for making a racist comment and spitting at hi ...
【politics】
Read moreOverseas Chinese inspired by latest Xi
politicsMany overseas Chinese in the United States, especially those from Taiwan, felt inspired by the meeti ...
【politics】
Read moreChinese culture experience week held in Brazil
politicsBRASILIA, Aug. 14, 2022 (Xinhua) -- To celebrate the 48th anniversary of diplomatic relations betwee ...
【politics】
Read more
Popular articles
- Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas
- Xi Focus: Xi Calls for Striving to Realize Economic Goals in 2023
- Farmers work in fields across China
- China, Suriname to boost relations
- Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form
- China's old industrial base makes headway on revitalization
Latest articles
Four people killed in a house explosion in southwestern Missouri
China firmly opposes latest groundless accusations in Philippine media reports
Hongjiannao National Nature Reserve in NW China's Shaanxi, sanctuary for relict gulls
Traditional Chinese
Not so Cool Britannia! Noel Gallagher gives damning verdict on Keir Starmer
Xi Story: Prioritizing Regular Physical Exercises from an Early Age
LINKS
- BAFTA TV Awards 2024 winners: Full list of who picked up gongs on the night
- Clemson adds Duke big man Christian Reeves to its lineup
- Socialists deal blow to separatists in Catalan elections but face uphill task to form government
- Socialists deal blow to separatists in Catalan elections but face uphill task to form government
- Lok Sabha elections 2024: Voters across 96 constituencies cast vote in fourth round
- My favourite 20 new cars for under £20,000
- Billionaire Arthur Irving, one of Canada's richest men, dies at age 93
- George Clooney to make his Broadway debut in 'Good Night, and Good Luck'
- Rory McIlroy wins record 4th Wells Fargo Championship title
- China and Cambodia to begin annual military exercise to strengthen cooperation, fight terrorism