Yun nan (South of Beautiful Clouds) is a southern
province in China, with borders on Tibet, Laos,
Burma, and Vietnam. Renowned for its incredibly
diverse natural beauty, as well as being home to
25 ethnic minorities, such as Bai, Mosuo, and Yi
peoples, it boasts some of the most rare, pristine
and beautiful scenery on earth. The landscape ranges
from snow-capped mountains, crystal clear lakes
to tropical rainforests with elephants and wild
monkeys. Nearly half of the wildlife species found
within China are native to Yunnan, and 25 or the
country's 56 minority groups reside here. Thus it's
easy to see why Yunnan enjoys a mythical status
with adventure travelers in Asia, both foreign and
Chinese, alike.
Dali is the gateway to Yunnan. Many people begin
their trips here, before heading to more remote
areas, like Lijiang, Lake Lugu and Shangrila - or
retreat to its comforts when in need of escape from
more harsh travels. The Old Town is a well-preserved
ancient city, with winding stone streets cleansed
by water from mountain streams flowing just beneath,
and illuminated at night by spiraling Buddhist pagodas.
Dali's location is a stunning combination of 42km
long Er Hai lake on one side, and towering 4000m
mountains on the other, draped in an ever-changing
cloak of clouds that roll ghost-like down the mountainside.
The clouds are the source of much local folklore,
as well as unforgettable sunsets.
Travelers generally feel at home in Dali, thanks
to the foreign bookstores, funky cafes and restaurants
boasting western comfort food and music, as well
as the travel accessory stores that provide everything
from hiking gear to ethnic clothing and mountain
bikes.
Basically, Dali is a laid-back town with cool people,
lots of backpackers, and a friendly vibe that's typical
of Yunnan. A collage of cultures, including Tibetan,
Han, Bai, Yi as well as the international influences
that travelers bring along with them, Yunnan is
a world or its own. Come see it yourself!
Dali food: On Renmin Lu, there are many local
Bai and Muslim restaurants serve authentic good
fresh food, you just need point out what you want
over the shelf, easy! Bai food has a very good reputation
through over Yunnan; it's spicy, sour and fresh.
You must tell them if you don't eat chili (Lajiao),
otherwise even a little bit spice will make your
tongue burn. Fish casserole, Tofu casserole, Cheese
(Rushan, Rubing), many kinds of wild fungus, Ham,
Various flowers and local green vegetables, Rice
noodle, Sticky rice cake with pickled veggies and
meat sauce, Mashed potato (Lao nai yangyu-Gramma's
potato). Muslim cooks very good beef dishes, soup
and more, which doesn't exist in Bai restaurant.
It's very easy to be a vegetarian, many choices
in Dali.
Bai religion: "Benzhu"-our god (our protector),
Taoism and Buddism are well preserved and well used
in Bai's daily life. Benzhu is god, it's different
in every village: a king during Han dynasty, a hero
who killed monsters, or a general who won the war,
or a god who gives male baby for women, or the god
of dragon, etc. In every village, there is a happy
celebration for their god once a year depends on
lunar calendar. By the time, people will sing, dance,
pray, eat in the temple. Buddhism is a general religion
all over china for good karma, good luck. There
are many legends about Guanyi Pusa (one of the most
popular Buddha in China) in Dali, because she saved
Dali many times from war and bad kings. There is
a special festival for this God at Guanyi Tang every
year. Taoism is widely used in Bai life: funeral,
new house built-up celebration, new baby born celebration,
secrete healing method, ect.
Bai costume: "Feng(Wind),Hua(Flower),Xue(Snow),Yue(Moon).The
Chinese phrase used for Romanesque, but they are
the four outstanding sceneries of Dali. Beautiful
Bai women embroider all of them on their costume.
Wind is very strong every winter from December to
March. It comes from the mountain and the end of
lake; it can blow down trees sometimes, you must
be very careful walking on the street when it happens.
The white fringe on the side of their hat presents
the wind. Different flowers blossom whole year around,
they all benefit from the great whether here. Camellia
is the most popular kind, which has been planting
almost in every family's courtyard. The greatest
kind bloom during February, it's red, Bai call it
" Head of Lion". Bai people treat them as a good
luck sign for "spring festival":
– Chinese New Year.
It appears red in front of their hat, on their belt,
sleeves and pants. The white tassels on the top
of their hat symbolize the snow on the Cangshan
Mountains. The crescent moon shaped of the hat symbolizes
the moon on the Erhai Lake. Color of women's costume
depends on their age, its bright pink to dark red,
dark purple or dark blue. Man usually has the blue
tie-died jacket.
Dali history: Dali situated at the center
of natural geography and historical culture. During
Nanzhao Kingdom, it was playing an important economic
role in southwest china, there were seven ancient
route passing by here to Chengdu, India, South-east
Asia, Myanmar, Tibet and Guizhou. The famous two
are Tea-horse route and southern Silk Road. Buddhism
were prosperous during this time too, many temples
and pagodas were built on the mountainside, lakeside
and in the village. Bai established the Nanzhao
Kingdom in the early 8th century and it lasted about
300years. Tang send military to Nanzhao in 754,
they lost. Mongol invaded Dali in December 1253,
Kubilie Han returned to North in 1254. Since then,
Nanzhao kingdom finished, Yunnan became a provincial
government of Yuan Dynasty. During Qing dynasty,
Muslim had a 16years-the longest uprising in Dali
history, Qing invaded Dali in 1872. Dali is acknowledged
as a Bai autonomy prefecture in 1956.
Bai language: It belongs to Sino-Tibetan
family. Has been influenced long time by Han, Bai
doesn't have written language now, they use Chinese
characters instead, but their own spoken language
is very different from Chinese (Mandarin).
Bai festival: All follows lunar calendar.
Sanyue Jie (25, March):The biggest festival
for trading, people sale all kinds of products like
food, clothe, medicine, animals shy;from all over
China. It also has traditional dancing and singing
competition and horse racing show. It happens on
the big street outside of western gate.
Hudiehui: (15, April): Festival for lovers,
holds at Butterfly Spring, 40mintes by bus to north
of DALI, just 5minetes after Zhoucheng. It based
on a love story, when a couple love each other by
can't stay together, so they both changed to a couple
of butterflies around a nice pond shy;Bai, mostly
young people from the village all around the Lake
will come in a small group with their beautiful
dress singing, dancing for three days.
Raoshan Ling (23-25, April): A day to remember
a good king and to "Benazhu"-Duan zongbang(who holds
the highest rank between all the Benzhu around Dali).
It holds at the bottom of hillside, farmers just
finished planting rice, whether is hot. A good break
from fields work. Bai people (most are old people)
all dress new and make up happily, old lady and
man wear colored sunglasses. Many shows of singing
and dancing, together with praying and cooking all
will happen in the fields and woods.
Huoba Jie (25,June):Torch
festival, the Bai, Yi, Mosuo, Naxi all celebrate
it in different area of Yunnan. The biggest torch
in the village center can be over 10meters; all
the children will have small ones to play in their
hands. Fire always is a good sign in minority stories;
symbolize good future, good luck.
Yutang Hui ( 15, Aug): It's animal fair,
lasts a week. People are coming from a long way:
Sichuan, Tibet, Guizhou to trade horse, donkey,
cow, and goat.
Dali crafts: Hand died paper, pottery, woodcarving,
stone carving, Bai embroidery, Tie-died cloth, and
Silver work. You can find almost all of them on
the market day, many wood workers are stay outside
of south gate, many of stone (marble) workers are
stay outside of north gate.
Culture Exchange:
At Higherland Inn we aim to provide informal
classes and sessions that strengthen understanding
between cultures. We are looking for people to participate
in the following areas. This can be on a short or
long term basis. Please e-mail us if you are interested
and welcome any advice.
Higherland Inn is the only peaceful
and cozy guesthouse in Dali. Because it's away from crowds, and surrounded
by forest, it offers a perfect place to relax and
study. Except from the following items, we are also
looking for people or small group to hold formal
study sessions like: herbal, outdoors skill development,
painting, eco tourism, environmental protection,
and more as you want.
Cooking: Chinese and western. In Higherland
Guesthouse, our cooking based on "Health", less
oil, less meat, as Chinese saying " you eat what
you get". We use fresh veggies, fresh herbs, fresh
nuts, we do lots of fry because it's fast and easy,
but we also do lots of western salad, soup, bread,
cake and roasted dishes. Since we have many years
experience of cooking, we need more knowledge of
western cooking, then we can keep creating more
healthy food which mixed Chinese and western cooking.
Language: English, French, and Chinese. As
China is growing very fast, language skill is a
great need for both Chinese and foreigner. More
and more foreign company move in, more and more
people get to know the profound culture of China.
In Higherland Inn, we can serve you in English,
French and Chinese. We are also very happy to help
anyone who wants to study and practice Chinese.
Meditation, Yoga, Taichi: Higherland Guesthouse
has sunny terrace, grassland, indoor room, even
Taoism cave for you to meditate, practice Yoga with
Liping (Melanie) and practice Taichi Taoist monk.
Chinese Tuina and Massage: We just start
taking our massage course down town, (2006/6) we
know very experienced teacher in Dali, if anyone
interested to learn Chinese Tuina or massage, we
will be very happy to help you set up.
Taoism, Buddhism: In the modern China now,
most people doesn't have very strong religion belief,
but Taoism and Buddhism still influence subtly in
many parts of people's life. They are the roots
of Chinese spiritual life. Dali, the Bai people
still has the strong belief of Taoism and Buddhism.
You can easily see it during festival, in the village
and some ceremonies. Any guest has the knowledge
about it will be very welcomed to share with others
and discuss with us.
Chinese Chess, Majong, Calligraphy: Free
to study, free to play, free to enjoy your happy
times in our guesthouse, you can challenge our staff
or play with other guests.
Chinese Tea and wine: When the world is more
and more polluted, people need more and more "green
food". Tea suddenly plays an important role in the
list of "HEALTHY". Green tea is well known for a
long time, but Puer tea (kind of green tea specialty
of Yunnan, it's golden brown or dark red, like black
tea) just gets very popular in the last few years.
It tastes very mellow, lasts many drinks, burns
fat and warms up stomach. It tastes better when
it gets older, it's the most potentional investment
among tea lovers. The most of wine factories in
China are cooperating with French or Australia companies.
They are producing the most products are light and
sweet to meet Chinese taste. But in Higherland Guesthouse
we do have good recommendation of good Chinese wine.
Drink tea in the garden with pets while sip wine
with great dinner meal is real relaxation in Higherland
Inn---far from pollution.
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