From August 22 to 26, 2024, at the invitation of the Yunnan Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, the Échos de l’Orient delegation participated in the five-day event “Connecting Overseas Chinese Across Five Continents · Colorful Yunnan — The 24th ASEAN Overseas Chinese Entrepreneurs Conference.”
The delegation visited several key counties in Wenshan Prefecture, including Yanshan, Qiubei, and Maguan. The program covered a diverse range of emerging industries such as traditional Chinese medicine wellness, intangible cultural heritage (including Yi embroidery and Zheng’s Imperial Nine-Needle Technique), green energy, and Panax notoginseng high-tech development. Échos de l’Orient focused particularly on traditional Chinese medicine wellness and intangible cultural heritage, laying a strong foundation for future cultural exchange initiatives between China and Canada.
Puzhehei Scenic Area: A Natural and Cultural Gem
Puzhehei, located in Qiubei County of Wenshan Prefecture, is a national 5A-level scenic destination known for its stunning karst landscape, Yi ethnic water villages, lakes, peak forests, and vast summer lotus fields. The name “Puzhehei” in the Yi language means “a lake teeming with fish and shrimp.” It is celebrated as a picturesque gallery blending ecological beauty and cultural heritage.
Key highlights include:
- Willow-Leaf Boats — Glide through lotus-filled lakes and wetlands.
- Qinglong Mountain — A scenic viewpoint offering panoramic views of the Puzhehei village and lakes; also a filming site for TV dramas.
- Swan Lake (Hainumide) — Observe swans and wild birds while boating.
- Karst Caves — Such as Moon Cave, showcasing remarkable natural formations.
- Puzhehei Village — A charming area ideal for lodging and experiencing local Yi culture and cuisine.
Yanshan County: Traditional Chinese Medicine Wellness
The Traditional Chinese Medicine Wellness Center of Yanshan County offers a serene environment reminiscent of classical Chinese gardens, complete with pavilions, lush greenery, and the subtle scent of medicinal herbs.
Designed according to the Hetu Luoshu nine-palace layout, the complex reflects traditional Chinese aesthetics. With facilities such as the dietary therapy hall, dynamic therapy hall, and lifestyle health pavilion, the center provides comprehensive services tailored to elderly care and youth wellness.
Zheng’s Imperial Nine-Needle Technique: A Living Heritage
“Zheng’s Imperial Huangdi Nine-Needle Technique” is a certified representative item of Yunnan’s provincial-level intangible cultural heritage. It features a therapeutic system combining acupuncture, moxibustion, and traditional family herbal remedies.
At the Zheng Medical Heritage Museum, ancient medical texts fill a 180-square-meter archive. Originating in the Ming and Qing imperial courts and preserved through nine generations of the Zheng family, the heritage includes rare manuscripts such as The Combined Edition of Huangdi’s Inner Classic: Suwen & Lingshu and complete sets of traditional nine-needle tools.
Zheng Yuhua, the 8th-generation inheritor, continues to practice community-centered medicine by offering free consultations in rural villages and actively introducing TCM culture to the public. She and her apprentices have been invited to Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, and other countries to promote TCM acupuncture. She emphasizes:
“By integrating tradition with modern clinical practice, traditional Chinese medicine can better serve global communities.”
Wenshan Yi Embroidery: A Cultural Legacy Empowering Women
Wenshan Yi embroidery is a vibrant traditional art form known for its refined stitching, bold colors, rich motifs, and deep cultural symbolism. As an essential component of Yi clothing and lifestyle objects, it carries generations of history, aesthetics, and cultural identity.
Yi embroidery in Wenshan is particularly distinctive, shaped by local Yi, Miao, and Han influences. Its motifs often portray animals, plants, geometric patterns, mythology, and historical narratives.
Beyond artistic value, Yi embroidery plays a transformative role in empowering women:
It provides local Yi women with meaningful career opportunities and economic independence. Rooted in the legacy of maternal craftsmanship, this tradition enables women to sustain their families, gain confidence, and pass on cultural heritage—making it a vital force for women’s empowerment and community development.
Looking Ahead
Échos de l’Orient will integrate these remarkable cultural elements—TCM wellness, traditional craftsmanship, and intangible heritage—into future programs, ensuring that audiences in Canada and beyond can experience the beauty and depth of Yunnan’s cultural traditions.