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By APD Writer: Zeng Xinlan
A beautiful ancient town in southwest China’s Yunnan Province Friday welcomed a group of special guests from Hong Kong and foreign countries.
The residents’ performance highlighted the event of “starting from the ‘Cloud’ of the World-2017 Hong Kong Classic Car Yunnan Tour”.
（ Nakhi Residents Photo: Johnson Liu）
When coming to the Shuhe Old Town on Friday morning, the Hong Kong visitors and foreign media personnel were immediately attracted by the distinctive Nakhi dancing. They slowed down and finally stood there to watch the dancers. Wearing white and blue traditional Nashi dress, villagers presented the Datiao dance, a traditional Nahki four-step-dance, while singing folk songs. Following the dance session, they played two classic Chinese songs “the Oriental Pearl” and “My Motherland”. At the end of the performance, Nakhi men and women gathered together again and began to dance. Absorbed in the cheerful surroundings, the audience couldn’t help but join the dancers.
（Xinhua Finance Agency President Wu Zhonghui dances together with Nakhi people. Photo: Johnson Liu）
Wu Zhonghui, president of Xinhua Finance Agency said that it is an impressive experience to him from which he appreciated the hospitality and sincereness of Yunnan people.
（”Datiao Dance” is a tradition of Nakhi People. Photo: Zeng Xinlan）
An official from Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office in Yunnan Province said that the two songs turn out to be an ideal choice for the occasion which conveys a lot beyond words.
（Yunnan Snacks Photo: Zeng Xinlan）
For the media personnel from foreign news agencies, the performance was also an unforgettable experience. Sunita Phanraksa from the Thailand-based Infoquest Agency said that she really enjoys the dance. Bui Xuantuan from Vietnamplus added:“ It is great to join in the Nakhi dance though I am not really a good dancer.”
（Nakhi Dance Photo: Johnson Liu）
Antique car owners also participated in the celebration enthusiastically. Mrs. Jiang, an active participant said that it is exciting and she is very happy to dance. Steven Cheong from HK says: “The dance is very good, and Lijiang has changed so much compared to 20 years ago. There was nothing then.”
He Weijian, an official from Lijiang county took part this leg of the journey, said that “The parade is all about cultural experience and appreciation. I hope that through the people-to-people communication, guests from Hong Kong would understand more about Yunnan people and its culture, thus enhancing the cooperation between the two places.”
(Folk Song Performance Photo：Zeng Xinlan)
When watching the performance, Mu Li, a local official, introduced the development concept of the old town. She said the layout of the town features the coexistence of dwelling houses and travelling facilities. The design philosophy of the town is to balance the interests of residents and the tourism development.
“The majority of indigenous people are the Nakhi ethnic group and the neighborhood is still their home,” she said.
(Shuhe Women. Photo: Zeng Xinlan)
The Shuhe Old Town, the ancient town, also known as “the Fountain Village” for being surrounded by mountains and rivers, is located to the north of Lijiang Old Town, a famous tourist destination. It is one of the earliest habitats of Nakhi people in the Lijiang region and a significant transportation hub along the ancient “Tea Horse Road”, sharing the reputation of the cradle of Dongba culture.
The Nakhi culture is moulded by the influence of the Confucian roots of Han Chinese history and the group's Tibetan neighbors. The Nakhi have their own writing, distinct language and native dress.
