The authentic feel of this village is particularly pleasing - nothing's staged nor designed to pull in the tourists. Life goes on as usual and visitors blend in.
At the foot of Mount Fenghuang, 90% of Xingmeng's population are descended from Mongols, who fled to China after the fall of Yunnan in the 13th Century. Its people live off the production of vegetables and speak a dialect that closely ressembles Mongolian. They also live in Mongolian-style mud brick houses. Women still wear traditional costumes and ancient customs permeate their lives, even if nowadays it's become blended with Chinese traditions.
The authentic feel of this village is particularly pleasing - nothing's staged nor designed to pull in the tourists. Life goes on as usual and visitors blend in.
At the foot of Mount Fenghuang, 90% of Xingmeng's population are descended from Mongols, who fled to China after the fall of Yunnan in the 13th Century. Its people live off the production of vegetables and speak a dialect that closely ressembles Mongolian. They also live in Mongolian-style mud brick houses. Women still wear traditional costumes and ancient customs permeate their lives, even if nowadays it's become blended with Chinese traditions.