Buzha is a traditional folk handicraft of the Bai people in Jianchuan. During the Dragon Boat Festival, children wear a string of Buzha around their necks to ward off evil and express their pursuit of a better life. A string of Buzha typically consists of 3 to 8 items such as lions, tigers, embroidered balls, the Eight Trigrams, fish, boys, sachets, and rabbits. The embroidered ball symbolizes good fortune, the monkey represents...
Erhai Lake in Dali, known as the "Pearl of the Plateau," boasts not only stunning scenery but also abundant fish species. The Bai people have long enjoyed eating fish and have developed unique culinary techniques for preparing it. Sour and spicy fish is one of their signature dishes. The way to make it is as follows: clean the live fish by removing its gills and internal organs. Once the oil in the wok is hot, place the fish...
Live Fish Cooked in Flowing Water, as the name suggests, refers to cooking live fish in flowing, fresh water. The Bai people of Dali emphasize using fresh water and live fish when preparing fish dishes. This method of cooking fish was traditionally popular on fishing boats or in villages along Erhai Lake. To prepare Live Fish Cooked in Flowing Water: once the oil in the wok is hot, pour in flowing water (such as Erhai Lake water...
The Erhai Lake in Dali is known for its snails, which are a favorite food of the Bai people. There are various ways to prepare them, and pickled snails are one unique method. The Qing Dynasty scholar Tan Cui mentioned in his famous work *Dian Hai Yu Heng Zhi*: “The people of Yunnan have loved eating snails for hundreds of years… They season them with minced ginger and soy sauce, and compete to eat them until they’re all gone, both morning and evening.” Another source, the *Compendium of Materia Medica*…
In winter, on the dining tables or in restaurants of the Bai people in areas such as Dali and Dengchuan, one can often find a beloved local frozen delicacy known as Frozen White Tofu Fish. It is one of the distinctive premium dishes the Bai people serve to guests. Frozen White Tofu Fish is made using yellow-scaled carp or crucian carp — specialties of Erhai Lake — along with white...
Dali enjoys a humid climate with abundant rainfall and lush pastures, making it highly suitable for animal husbandry. Almost every household raises dairy cows, and the fragrance of milk fills the air. The ample milk supply provides rich raw material for dairy product production. The Yunlong Milk Fan is made from the milk of local cows. The production process involves heating “sour water,” then scooping in fresh milk and gently...
is a rare and precious alpine plant native to Dali’s Cangshan Mountain, originally found above 3,500 meters in altitude at the mountain’s summit “Dragon Pool” (Xima Pond). Chen Ding’s travelogue *Records of Travels in Yunnan and Guizhou* states: “At the very top of Cangshan grows Gaohe Cabbage, which sprouts in July and August, has red stems, green leaves, and a flavor similar to mustard.” It is now cultivated by the local Bai people in vegetable fields at the foot of the mountain. Gaohe…
The Large Bubble Walnut (also known as Yangbi Walnut, Cotton Walnut, Tea Walnut, or Hemp Seed), originally from Yangbi County, is now widely distributed across prefectures (cities) such as Dali, Lijiang, Nujiang, Baoshan, Lincang, Chuxiong, Honghe, Kunming, Qujing, Jingdong, and Changning, as well as in parts of Guizhou and Sichuan provinces. It is an early...
Lily, also known as Yehe, is valued for its plump, fleshy bulb, which is delicious and rich in amino acids, vitamins, and other nutrients. Since ancient times, it has been considered a premium dish at banquets and family tables. Additionally, lily has medicinal benefits such as relieving coughs, boosting energy, clearing the heart, moistening the lungs, and aiding the spleen and stomach. It holds high both culinary and medicinal value…
Heqing Pig Liver Pickle is a well-known local delicacy in Heqing, often served to honored guests and given as a gift to family and friends. The production of this pickle in Heqing has a history of over 200 years, with the processing season typically taking place in winter. It is said that pig liver pickles made with water from the Laba Festival not only taste better but also have a longer shelf life…
Located at the western foot of the Diancang Mountains in Dali, Yangbi County is renowned both domestically and internationally as the "Hometown of Walnuts." The county is embraced by the Yangbi River, surrounded by towering green mountains, vast land, abundant rainfall, and fertile soil. Lush walnut trees heavy with fruit thrive in every hill and valley. Yangbi walnuts are known for their large size, thin shells, plump kernels, white color,…
Weishan Preserved Fruits are a type of traditional medicinal cuisine that originated in the imperial court of the ancient Nanzhao Kingdom in Dali. With a long production history, they were even offered as tribute to the imperial court during the Qing Dynasty. These preserved fruits are made from a combination of wild and cultivated fruits, medicinal herbs, and premium winter melon honey known for its healing properties, using traditional methods. They are rich in various vitamins, fructose, and other nutrients...
Heqing ham is a renowned specialty food from Yunnan. Due to its curved leg and well-rounded shape, it is also known as round ham or coiled ham. The Bai people of Heqing have a long history of curing this coiled ham, which was already a famous tribute product and export delicacy as early as the Ming Dynasty. The Kangxi-era "Heqing Prefecture Annals" records that during the Jiajing reign of the Ming Dynasty, the eminent official Zha Wei "enjoyed rich wine and plump ham with his guests..." – the "plump ham" referred to is coiled ham.
The silver and copper handicrafts of Heqing County are exquisitely crafted and are sold both domestically and internationally, winning the favor of consumers. Located at the foot of Phoenix Mountain in the northwest of Heqing County, Xinhua Village is renowned for crafting various types of silver and copper jewelry and ornaments. Currently, almost every household in the village has a handicraft workshop, employing over 1,200 people. The production of these handicrafts...
To make Qujing chive blossoms, finely chop the semi-flowering, semi-seeded chive blossoms, then mix in salt and white liquor, stirring until well combined. Place the mixture in a jar and let it sit for six months to allow the chive flesh to caramelize. After that, stir in dried shredded kohlrabi, chili peppers, brown sugar, and white liquor, and cure until the mixture turns yellowish-red. The result is a crispy, tender, and delicious condiment with a perfect balance of sweet and salty flavors that helps stimulate the appetite…
Milk fan is a dairy product made from milk, conventionally measuring about 5–30 cm in length and 10–12 cm in width, shaped like an oblong fan. Two fans folded together are called “a pair.” To make it, fresh milk is first boiled and then mixed with edible acid to create...
A traditional famous dish. It is characterized by being both fluffy and crispy, as well as fragrant and sweet. The method of preparation: mix minced pork with roasted peanuts, shape into small balls, coat them with a batter made from eggs and starch, then deep-fry in oil over low heat until lightly golden, remove and let dry. Next, simmer in premium chicken broth or pork rib soup until they float to the surface, then sprinkle in...
Known as the “Pearl of the Highlands,” Dali’s Erhai Lake is the largest freshwater lake in China’s Hengduan Mountains, with an elevation of over 1,900 meters and an area of approximately 240 square kilometers. The graceful and charming Erhai Lake, nestled against the majestic and rugged Cangshan Mountain, features snow…
Rolled pig's trotter is a traditional delicacy of Yunnan’s ethnic minorities, beloved by locals for its fresh color and delicious taste, diverse serving methods, and easy preservation. Among these, those made in the Midu area are the most famous, hence also called “Midu Rolled Pig's Trotter.” Midu Rolled Pig's Trotter is a unique cured and cooked meat product of Midu. Because it retains the shape of a fresh pig’s trotter, it…
Dali Xizhou Flatbread, also known as "Pòsū," is a golden, fragrant, and flavorful wheat flour baked flatbread, a popular snack in both urban and rural areas of Dali. The traditional Xizhou Bai-style version is especially renowned. Wheat flour is the main ingredient, and the dough preparation is quite particular—it requires the addition of an appropriate amount of natural alkali, thorough kneading, layering with refined oil, and sprinkling with chopped scallions, Sichuan peppercorns, and...