Weishan, Yunnan: Ancient Tea Horse Trail & Nanzhao Kingdom

On our second stop in Yunnan, we ventured to an old city named Weishan, nestled 50km away from Dali city. Translating to 'Lofty Mountain' in Chinese, Weishan is truly a secluded gem, far from the bustling tourist hubs. It served as the cradle of the Nanzhao Kingdom over 12 centuries ago and remains a significant stop along the ancient Tea Horse Trade Route. With this concept in mind, I set out to engage with the locals, eager to unearth the captivating tales woven into both the history and locals everyday life in this place. In this unique place, the concept of death isn't shunned from daily life; it's embraced. When someone passes away, their family members honor their memory by hanging couplets for three years. Additionally, Mr. Zou has devoted himself to creating and upkeeping his private museum here. All my experiences in this place have led me to believe that people here seems live as if they will die tomorrow, and dream as if they will live forever. This is truly an interesting and thought-provoking journey to us!