Published on: 2026-08-21
Source: People’s Republic of China — Translation
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In the depths of the ancient city of Dali in Yunnan province, within the creative quarter “Chuandanchan,” a large number of tourists gathered at the handmade crafts fair stalls showcasing traditional crafts — including the tie-dye technique “zhazhan,” clay figurines “wamao,” folk paintings “jiama,” and others.
Joe Tortorello, a 28-year-old American tourist, and Yan Wentin, the Chinese woman accompanying him, sat down at a stall with “wamao” figurines to try making them with their own hands. “Wamao” (“tile cats”) are a traditional roof decoration of folk houses in Yunnan, made from fired clay or stone, symbolizing the protection of the home and bringing good luck.
Joe said, “If you just buy a souvenir, you might forget it right after the trip. But what I made myself, I will remember for a long time, and I want to learn more about other traditional cultures of China.”
Joe is an engineer, and this is his first visit to China. He chose the city of Dali as his first destination. Being a history enthusiast, he found a lot of material about Dali online even before arriving, including information about the ancient Tea Horse Road and historic towns. The rich and centuries-old culture of Yunnan province captivated him so much that he decided to spend a month traveling around the province by motorcycle to get to know it better.
In Dali, he stayed in a guesthouse converted from an ancient Bai ethnic dwelling. It is a typical traditional local building. Joe says, “The ancient architecture here is well preserved. Living in such a place is like immersing oneself in history.”
In Dali, he went to the market for fresh fruits in the mornings, drank coffee made from local Yunnan beans during the day, and strolled along the shores of Erhai Lake in the evenings. Ancient opera theaters were found here and there in the villages. Joe admired: “In Dali, you can not only buy beautiful souvenirs but also get acquainted with many cultural traditions, which allows tourists to feel a deeper and more vivid connection with Dali.”
Today in Dali, more and more projects aimed at introducing intangible cultural heritage are gaining popularity among foreign guests. “The most valuable experience is to live like a local. To try local hogo with forest mushrooms, to participate in cultural events — through this, I feel the lifestyle of local people and gain a deeper understanding of China’s centuries-old history and culture,” says Joe. His journey through Dali is not yet finished, but he already has a plan for next year — to come to China again, visit more cities, and get acquainted with the cultural features of different regions.
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