|
D1---In the morning, drive in the south to Da Menglong, a small town close
to Myanmar border, first see White Stupa, the most famous Theravada
Buddhism Building of China aged over 800 years, symbol of
Xishuangbanna, drop in village of Dai and their temple, this area is still free from
influence of big number of tourists, so peaceful and traditional.
Further drive across basin of Da Menglong, up a long river valley to
Bulang Shan, this area is close to Myanmar border, and inhabited
mainly by ethnic groups, on the way we will visit Lahu nationality,
who used to be a part of ancient nomadic tribe - Chiang, they stay
out-of-the-way and still follow very traditional way of life.
Continue driving across forest and along river valley from Bulang
Shan to Menghun, Bulang Shan is the most original residential area
of Bulang people, many of their traditional villages are situated
along the road, we will stop randomly and walk into their village
even their houses built on stilts to find out how their traditional
life is going on, in addition short visit will also be paid to
village of Ake people, with different language and costume, they
used to be an unidentified ethnic group, now classified as a small
branch of Hani . Stay at simple hotel in Menghun.
D2---In the morning,
visit a village of Dai, where villagers are making paper with tree
bark traditional way, their production looks primitive, and
product's rough, but because it's firm and durable, was used a lot
in the past to record Buddhism sutras by monks, nowadays adopted a
lot by businessmen for packing local produce, tea for example,
hence
the technology is still living.
Continue driving to Jingzhen to see Octagonal Pavilion, a meeting
hall of senior monks originally built 300 years ago, one of 3 most
famous Theravada Buddhism buildings of province, original
construction was destroyed during Culture Revolution, existing one
is a restoration in 1978. Near Menghai, drop in village of Muslim
Dai, an exception from normal Dai ethnic group, they speak same
language as others, but following the traditions and taboos of
Moslemism, in the center of their village, we see mosque
instead of Buddhism temple. On the way back, visit Aini village near Mount. Nan Nuo, a place reputed for tea
of good quality, local Aini is good at tea planting and production,
big number of ancient tea trees aged several hundred years are
scattered around, and still bearing buds to benefit villagers.
Return Jinghong and tour ends. |
