Kunming Surroundings | Yunnan Ethnic Village

| Yunnan Ethnic Village. The Yunnan Ethnic Village is located on the southern side of Kunming City, by the Dian Lake, and is a popular spot for Kunming tourism. The village comprises 25 ethnic minority villages, such as the Dai, Bai, Yi, and others, each with its own unique customs, craft performances, and more, allowing visitors to experience the diverse ethnic cultures of Yunnan in just one day. In the Ethnic Village, the Dai and Yi villages are worth a visit. The Dai village is the first village you enter in the Ethnic Village, filled with tropical and subtropical plants, interspersed with exquisite and elegant Dai bamboo buildings. Typical Dai architecture includes stilted houses, style buildings, water-splashing pavilions, temples, and water-splashing squares. Noteworthy is the village's white pagoda 'Bozhong Pagoda,' which is a scaled replica of the Yunyan Pagoda in Dehong Prefecture, Yingjiang County. The 40 small pagodas are surrounded by a tall main pagoda and 365 wind chimes, which are very pleasant to hear. You can also take a boat near the Dai village. The Yi village is notable for its Solar Calendar Square. A stone pillar stands in the middle of the square, which ancient Yi people used to observe time by its shadow. The huge 'tiger' in the village is an ancient Yi totem. Additionally, the village features unique Yi earth buildings, liquor roasting workshops, and cultural buildings. During the Dai 'Water-Splashing Festival' in April, and the Yi 'Torch Festival' in July and August, the Ethnic Village also holds lively celebrations. During this period, you might want to join in the fun and experience the more vivid ethnic customs. While playing, you can choose to walk, or rent electric scooters and tandem bicycles to move around the scenic area. The scenic area also has places like the Ethnic Unity Square, Ethnic Song and Dance Hall, and a Flavor Food Area. You can watch folk performances, taste ethnic snacks, buy ethnic handicrafts, enjoy leisure time, and appreciate the ethnic customs.