Page 8 - Yunnan Tourism Culture Times (96)

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Enhancing the appeal of
rural cultural tourism

点亮乡村文旅 IP

In recent years, the fusion of culture and Presently, during festive occasions, the village
tourism has emerged as a pivotal component of welcomes reservations from tourist groups, there-
industrial progress in rural areas. Rural tourism by increasing the income of villagers involved in
has evolved into a favored way for individuals managing homestays, crafting Wa textiles, and
to embrace the tranquil landscapes and nostalgic creating Wa attire.
sense of belonging during holidays. As rural tourism flourishes, numerous visitors
Leveraging its abundant hot spring resources arrive to immerse themselves in the rich tradition
and prime geographic position, Pianjiao Town in of Wa farming culture and to absorb the distinc-
Yongsheng County, Lijiang City has emerged as a tive customs of the Wa people. Gongbao has re-
top choice for tourists during the Spring Festival cently evolved into a burgeoning tourist hotspot,
season. The town’s hot springs boast high miner- particularly attracting photography enthusiasts.
al content including sulfur, sodium, calcium, and Shortly before the Spring Festival, at the Bai
more. Tailored to local conditions, several hotels People’s Pottery Making Training Centre in Di-
in Pianjiao Town have introduced a unique tour- annan Township, Jianchuan County, Dali Prefec-
ism concept that integrates hot spring relaxation ture, Dong Zhiming, the prefecture-level repre-
with fruit picking activities. This innovative ap- sentative inheritor of pottery making, along with
proach has enticed numerous visitors to indulge his team, finished preparing a new set of tea sets
in hot spring baths, engage in fruit picking, and for firing in the kiln. Once fired, these tea sets
savor a delightful Spring Festival holiday experi- will be available for purchase by tourists visiting
ence. during the Spring Festival holiday.
The Gongbao settlement in Heling Village, “These tea sets, intended for brewing roast-
Nuoliang Township, Cangyuan Wa Autonomous ed tea, blend the intricate Jianchuan carving
County, Lincang City stands as a key hub of techniques with the Bai people’s traditional tea
agricultural traditions of the Wa ethnic group in customs,” explained Dong. “Compared to our
Cangyuan. It is also recognized as the birthplace previous creations, they showcase enhance-
of the Wa people’s traditional songs related to ments in material selection and decorative ele-
weeding rice seedlings. ments. These sets allow for the use of solid al-
Zhao Guoxiang, an inheritor of the Wa peo- cohol as a fuel source for roasting tea, yielding
ple’s agricultural heritage, previously organized a flavor akin to tea prepared over firewood and
cultural and artistic events within the village to charcoal.” According to Dong, the distinctive
invigorate the cultural fabric of the community black pottery native to Jianchuan is a variety
and uphold the farming traditions of the Wa peo- of unglazed, carbonized pottery crafted using
ple. As the villagers’ livelihoods and perspectives ancient firing methods. This pottery seamlessly
evolved, coupled with enhancements in their liv- merges pottery making, carving, and painting
ing standards, the local government incorporated techniques, resulting in a quiet nuanced color
Gongbao’s agricultural heritage, Wa brocade palette and a refined jade-like texture that greatly
weaving, and traditional sports into rural tourism. appeals to tourists.