Tusi Summer Retreat Mountain Village

　　“Mengwai” means “a place easy to ascend to heaven” in the Dai language. It is said that Mengwai is the place closest to the heavens. When the heavenly palace’s water goddess Naduonani combed her hair, the first drop fell on Mengwai. Therefore, the Dai people of Menglian regard Mengwai as the source of water, making it the place with the richest water culture among the Dai. Nestled against mountains and beside flowing waters, every gully crisscrossing the village is washed clean by mountain springs...

　　In 1492, Dao Paiyue, the seventh Tusi of Menglian, abdicated due to illness and chose this blessed land as his retreat. Since then, the waterwheel at the village gate has witnessed generations of tusis seeking respite from the sweltering heat of the summer plains in Mengwai, hence the name Tusi Summer Retreat Mountain Village. Today, Mengwai remains sheltered within dense forests and mountains, where Dai water culture and religious culture are fully displayed. Even more uniquely, it retains a profound Tusi culture, making it an indispensable and enriching complement to the ancient city of Naxi.

　　The Mengwai Tusi Summer Retreat Mountain Village was included in the tourism development plan in 2004 and now greets visitors with a brand-new look.

　　Tomb of Dao Paiyue

　　Dao Paiyue is the only Tusi of Menglian to have abdicated due to illness, the only one with a known tomb, and the one who sent people to the ancient Burmese capital of Mong Hkan Anwa to welcome the Buddha to Menglian. In 1492, this beloved Tusi chose Mengwai as his retreat after abdicating due to illness and was later buried on a mountain in Mengwai.

　　Husband-Waiting Tree

　　By the Nanza River near the Mengwai village stands a large white toon tree, directly facing the tomb of Tusi Dao Paiyue. Beneath the tree is a shrine where Dai villagers often come to make offerings (“dan”) and pray for the tree spirit’s blessings. Legend says the tree is the transformed spirit of Dao Paiyue’s wife. After his death, unable to bear the longing, she often came here to gaze at his tomb. Over time, a part of her soul lingered here and attached itself to the white toon tree, becoming a tree spirit. Whenever there is any movement on the mountain where the Tusi’s tomb lies, the tree rustles — it is said to be the wife worrying for her husband’s safety.

　　Release Pond

　　When the heavenly palace’s water goddess Naduonani combed her hair, the first drop from her hair fell onto this sacred grove in Mengwai village. The Dai people, knowing that water is the source of life and the foundation of all things — and that its source is especially precious — carefully chiseled bamboo channels to guide the mountain spring here and tended to it with care. After Buddhism was introduced, the idea of releasing living creatures to atone for sins and accumulate merit took deep root among the Dai. This pond thus became a release pond, further showcasing the vitality of life-giving water.

　　Couple’s Well

　　In the center of Mengwai village lies a well with two springs that gush forth simultaneously — the Couple’s Well. Legend says that after their deaths, Dao Paiyue and his wife, unable to forget their deep bond, transformed into two springs that remain side by side.

　　Every Dai village, including Mengwai, has a Buddhist temple. The temple is not only the center of Buddhist activities but also a hub for the spread of Dai culture. The exquisite architecture, sculptures, murals, and prayer flags meticulously created by devout Dai followers in the Mengwai temple offer a glimpse into the unique significance of Buddhism in the hearts of the Dai people.