Ximeng: Artistic corner in green triangle of Pu’er

The region bordered by the three counties of the Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, the Menglian Dai Wa Lahu Autonomous County and the Ximeng Wa Autonomous County is affectionately known by many in Yunnan as “The Green Triangle of Pu’er”.

A Chinese travel writer, in an article published in Sohu.com in April 2020, has likened Yunnan’s Pu’er City as Nature’s treasure box, and this Green Triangle as “the most dazzling pearl” it conceals.

The Ximeng Wa Autonomous County - which forms one of the three corners of the Green Triangle - proudly and brazenly celebrates the Wa ethnic group’s culture. And a visitor can immediately immerse in it upon walking out from the Ximeng bus station. Greeted by a multitude of architectural designs and murals on the walls of the buildings in this county, one cannot help but be awed.

Almost everywhere one walks in town, one could not miss the ethnic emblem of the Wa people - the head of the ox. What’s truly remarkable is that not one of the heritage symbols is ornamented alike!

The adage “A picture paints a thousand words” is applied to this article with the insertion of a selection of photos taken in Ximeng.

Regardless of how many photos are shared and seen, one has to be physically and spiritually there in Ximeng to truly embrace what the Wa ethnic group has to so generously offer.

For Malaysian teacher Wu Ailing, she was not only spellbound by the creativity of the murals and architecture, she was also taken aback by the welcome of the Ximeng residents.
Li Honghui of the Ximeng Publicity Department guided her to visit places of interest using the all-encompassing platform, Weixin / WeChat. Honghui also introduced her to some very delicious local food.

A Douyin social media enthusiast, Yezi, introduced Ailing to a sweet Wa delicacy - the “Gold and Silver Flower” red candy.

To Ailing’s delight, Yezi took time to change into her Wa traditional costume so that her heritage and their acquaintance could be captured digitally.

Such is the warmth of the people of Yunnan, the Province South of the Clouds. Their hospitality is once again demonstrated in the Malaysian visitor’s many heartwarming encounters. The people of Ximeng - and their unique preservation of culture - are testament to the fact.

Reporting by Yang Piyuan (Malaysia); Editing by Mo Yingyi