Yong'e Village - A Borderland Gem in Ximeng

When traveling to Ximeng County, you simply can’t miss Yong'e Village, located in Masan Village, Mengka Town, Ximeng County. Positioned along the China-Myanmar border, it lies over 50 kilometres west of the county town, with the mountains separating it from the Longtan Special Region of Myanmar.

Yong'e Village is an eco-friendly village inhabited by the Wa ethnic group, and it stands as one of the best-preserved natural villages showcasing Wa culture in Ximeng County. With its traditional Wa-style houses and a rich cultural heritage, it holds significant value for folk cultural tourism.

Standing on a small hill at the village entrance, taking a deep breath of the wind blowing from Myanmar's Wa State, one feels refreshed. Gazing at the vast stretch of mountains in the distance, on clear days, you can see Wa villages in Wa State and witness the Myanmar people working in the fields.

The houses in Yong'e Wa Village are built with Dai-style hanging tiles, with mottled brown colors on the tiles, and they feel somewhat rough to the touch. The colours, weathered by wind and rain, hold the weight of time, exuding the essence of life.

As you descend on a sloping surface, an expansive grassland reveals itself. Crossing the grassland, you encounter green mountains and forests, and listen carefully, and the sound of flowing water seems within reach. The air is filled with the sweet aroma of wild fruits that waft from the deep mountains in this season. Taking a deep breath, one captures the essence of spring in their lungs.

Three women dressed in Wa ethnic costumes sing songs and lead cattle into the distance, their black hair gently swaying around their waists. On one side of the grassland is the wooden drum house, where the sound of drums rings out, a sign of happiness and celebration among the Wa people living deep in the mountains. In the distance, the sound of hammers hitting nails can be heard.

Following the sound, you can discover a thatched pavilion being constructed for the villagers' rest and entertainment. Men on the roof firmly secure it with iron wires, layer upon layer, robust and tight, enduring the test of wind and rain.

To make full use of the ethnic cultural resources, Yong'e Wa Village has established an ecological real-life stage in the middle of the village. The moon-shaped lotus pond separates the stage from the audience seats.

Here, tourists can enjoy local Wa ethnic song and dance performances and learn about Wa culture. Villagers showcase traditional performances like "Sigangli," "Wooden Drum Dance," and arts such as ironworking, Wa weaving, traditional bamboo weaving, "Rain Nests," and the one-stringed instrument.

These performances not only attract tourists but also take on the responsibility of transforming ethnic cultural features into economic benefits. Nowadays, in Yong'e Village, many villagers have adopted a lifestyle that combines farming with singing and dancing. During busy farming times, they perform for tourists during leisure moments.

Yong'e Village has also capitalised on the villagers' preference for wild fruits and vegetables, creating the "China Ximeng Yong'e Village Ecological Wild Fruit Festival." Here, visitors can savour wild fruits, vegetables, and Wa homemade liquor and snacks in their pristine state.

They can also purchase these products and, furthermore, there’s also the opportunity to hand-pick wild fruits and vegetables up the mountain, experiencing a close encounter with nature. Additionally, the festival offers authentic Wa ethnic song and dance performances, providing visitors with a visual feast.

Beyond experiencing the pure ambiance of Ximeng, tourists can also feel the magical intertwining of humans and nature, that has nurtured the mystical land of the Wa tribe for thousands of years in Yong'e Village.

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