Tongren

Tongren and Fanjingshan: natural heritage and surrounding cultures

Fanjingshan is first a World Natural Heritage property, valued for its ecosystem and biodiversity. Wider Tongren also includes Dejiang Nuo opera, Gelao culture and traditions of Miao, Tujia and other communities, but these are not fixed shows on the Fanjingshan hiking route.

• Recognise the setting in which culture actually occurs — At Fanjingshan, focus on conservation, trails and environmental order. To understand Nuo culture, use museums, formal performances or relevant county events to study masks, vocal style and ritual background. Do not blen…
• Participate only where the setting clearly allows it — Visit the mountain under current opening and conservation rules. For Nuo opera, dyeing, paper cutting or Gelao cultural experiences, choose activities clearly organised by cultural institutions, schools, villages or tra…
• Separate residents’ lives, ritual and performance — Nuo opera is connected with traditions of prayer and ritual and should not be treated as an anytime mask dance. Do not touch masks, ritual objects or backstage items, or closely film participants without permission. Cus…

City sources

Use the original publishers to verify city context, local culture and scope.

• Gelao cultural study programme held in Guizhou for Hong Kong students — Centre for Ethnic and Folk Literature and Art Development, Ministry of Culture and Tourism
• Winter in Guizhou: the transmission of Nuo opera — Guizhou Provincial Development and Reform Commission

Understand the city

Tongren and Fanjingshan: natural heritage and surrounding cultures

Region: Guizhou

Places to visit

• Mount Fanjing — Mount Fanjing is an isolated metamorphic massif in the Wuling range and habitat for rare species including the Guizhou snub-nosed…

Related industries and journeys

• Tongren Tea Processing — Jiangkou matcha, Yinjiang green and black tea and Sinan export processing
• Guizhou Karst Loop — Starting from Guiyang, connect Anshun, Xingyi, Libo, Leishan, Zhenyuan and Fanjingshan to observe the different relationships between karst and settlements.