A hidden gem in the mountains of Yunnan — a stunning place you've probably never even heard of

Zhuomulang Village is located in the mountainous region of Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County, Dali. Although it’s only about18kilometers drive east from Dacang Town,

Weishan, Dali, is the birthplace of the Nanzhao Kingdom, and Zhuomulang Village is regarded as the last surviving royal Yi tribal settlement from the Nanzhao era. The vibrant traditional attire worn by the women is one of its defining features, with red and green as the main colors symbolizing “red flowers and green leaves,” and also representing the noble character of Yi women.

The mysterious Zhuomulang Village still follows ancient Yi traditions. During festivals, there is an elaborate custom called “Da Ge” (song and dance), and daily meals are also highly distinctive: buckwheat cakes with honey, rice blood sausage, chicken blood rice, and others — all are traditional Yi dishes you won’t find outside Yi-inhabited areas.

Transportation:There are no direct buses to Zhuomulang,You can take a direct bus to Weishan(Xiaguan)either from Kunming or Dali(Buses to Weishan depart every15minutes from Xiaguan North Bus Station,It’s about52kilometers),Get off at Dacang Town along the way,Then hire a minivan from Dacang to Zhuomulang,The drive is about18kilometers,all on dirt roads and mountain paths,The road conditions are poor,The fare is around100～150yuan

Gumo Village is located in Shili Township, Fengqing County, Lincang City, Yunnan Province. It earned its name for producing many scholars and poets. Though the village isn’t large, its rich Confucian culture has been passed down to this day. Villagers still commonly use the “Four Treasures of the Study” and even maintain the tradition of composing poetry and couplets.

In the rustic courtyards of Gumo, calligraphy inscriptions and murals can be seen everywhere. Villagers, young and old alike, can almost effortlessly recite a couplet. Though not as witty or refined as those of ancient scholars, they are all well-matched in structure and beautifully rhymed.

Gumo Village is also a true stone village. From the well-preserved ancient mills and workshops to the village paths and farmhouses, stone is the primary building material. The clear Lover’s River flows through the village, further enhancing its simple, untamed charm.

Transportation: From Shili Township, you can take a bus to near Gumo Village, but to get into the village, you’ll need to walk an additional six or seven kilometers on an unpaved road.

Located in the northwest of Baoshan City, Mangkuan Township is a rather mysterious place. According to local Dai legends, when the ancestors of each village pass away, their spirits reside in the largest banyan tree of the village. As a result, locals regard banyan trees as totems, and Mangkuan has thus earned the nickname “Land of Giant Banyans.”

Among the many massive and peculiar banyans in Mangkuan, the most remarkable ones are the “Dragon-Embracing Tree,” the “Restaurant Tree,” and the “Dance Hall Tree.” These giant banyans are all around five or six hundred years old and have grown naturally. Revered as sacred trees by locals, they play a significant role in communal activities such as rituals and gatherings.

Transportation: You can reach Mangkuan by taking a bus from Baoshan bound for Mangkuan.

Wuli Village is located north of Bingzhongluo Town. It has no roads, no cars, and no modern facilities—making it a classic “three-nones” village.

Although “Wuli” is a transliteration of the local language, it aptly captures the essence of the small village: shrouded in mist, as if in a fairyland.

To enter Wuli Village, you must walk along the ancient Tea-Horse Road carved into the cliffs. The approximately6kilometer mountain path from Bingzhongluo to Wuli Village is one of the most scenic stretches. Hiking here truly lets you experience what a “paradise on earth” feels like.

Transportation: After crossing“Chaohong Bridge”, follow the Tea-Horse Road on foot for 2 kilometers to reach Wuli Village.

A novel, *Lost Horizon*, introduced the world to Shangri-La. But with the development of tourism, the only place that can truly be called a hidden gem today is probably Nyisu Village, deep within the dense forests.

Surrounded by mountains, the area encompasses nearly a thousand square kilometers of virgin forest. Apart from deserts and oceans, it almost gathers the most exquisite natural landscapes of the Northern Hemisphere: high mountains, meadows, glaciers, lakes, danxia landforms, and karst plateaus.......

Jim Thorsell, an official from UNESCO, called Nyisu “the No. 1 village in the world.” The area boasts not only breathtaking natural scenery but also pristine cultural landscapes. The leisurely herding lifestyle of the locals and their peaceful, untroubled existence is likely the ideal state everyone dreams of after visiting.

Transportation: From Zhongdian, you can only travel as far as Luoji Township, where Nyisu is located. From Luoji to Nyisu, you can either hire a private car or try to catch a ride on a local Tibetan’s tractor into the village—it depends on luck, as it may not always be possible.

Every place is so captivating, but too many have lost their former tranquility and peace due to tourism development and commercialization. Perhaps we shouldn’t disturb the serene lives of these last hidden gems in Yunnan.......