Christmas, Northwest Yunnan, China
December 24, 2024 - December 25, 2024
Homesick around Christmas? Make your way to the far northwestern reaches of Yunnan, to the villages along the Nu and Lancang Rivers, where an unexpected Christmas tradition prevails, the result of historical missionary activity in the area. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, European missionaries made their way through the plunging valleys and over raging rapids along the Three Parallel Rivers here, establishing a series of churches and cathedrals in local communities with deeply Tibetan Buddhist beliefs. The Catholic and Buddhist traditions continue side-by-side in these communities today, and Christmas in particular is observed as a major event, offering a unique opportunity to experience a one-of-a-kind Christmas in China. cover photo credit by Max shen /Getty Creative
Christmas at Laomudeng, Northwest Yunnan
Set deep in the Gaoligong Mountains (Gaoligong Shan), this Nu village is surrounded by alpine tea plantations on the slopes of Biluo Snow Mountain (Biluo Xueshan) and overlooked by Crown Peak (Huangguan Feng). Most of villagers are Christians, and every Sunday, they gather for mass and to sing hymns in a special four-part-harmony.
At Laomudeng Church, Laomudeng Village, Fugong County
photo credit by 视觉中国
Christmas at Zhongding, Northwest
In the small Zhongding churchyard near the village of Bingzhongluo on the Yunnan-Tibet border, a gravestone under a chestnut tree marks the final resting place of French missionary, Père Genestier. During mass (Saturday evening, Sunday noon and evening), visitors are welcomed into the church to hear the local choir sing hymns in Chinese, Tibetan and Lisu, a Tibet-Burman language spoken by locals in this part of Yunnan.
At Zhongding Church, Zhongding Village, Gongshan County
photo credit by 视觉中国
Christmas at Cizhong, Northwest Yunnan
The century-old church in the village of Cizhong is a fascinating blend of European and Tibetan architectural elements and religious practices. Inside, a picture of Jesus festooned in a Tibetan khata looks more like a thangka painting, while outside the church are remnants of another French tradition: a vineyard. Christians from a whole variety of ethnic backgrounds gather in Cizhong every Sunday for early morning mass.
At Cizhong Church, Cizhong Village, Deqin County
photo credit by 视觉中国
