Road of Histories-Nanzhao Street in Dali, Yunnan

CRI, June 29, 2011

 

Nanzhao Ancient Street, with a history over 600 years, sows up the life of Weishan Ancient Town. Shops and restaurants housed in well-preserved old buildings still border the two-kilometer-long street.

 

The street is where tourists and locals go if they feel like seeing some entertainment in Weishan Ancient Town located in the Yi and Hui Nationalities Autonomous County, Dali Bai Nationality Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province.

 

The street starts at a square dedicated to the ancient town's contribution in popularizing the Han language. Local officials encourage their people, most of whom are Yi and Bai minorities, to read and learn Han characters to have their voices heard in national matters. Many academies that punctuate Nanzhao Ancient Street stand as the evidence for this historical fact.

 

There are several major streets in Weishan Ancient Town, constituting a chessboard layout. But Nanzhao Ancient Street remains the most significant one. It is the only one in the whole of Yunnan Province to be included on the list of China's Cultural and Historical Streets.

 

Since 2000, the local government has been working on a plan to develop the street into a main tourist destination while at the same time not damaging its original features. Now houses along the street all have access to electricity and cable television.