The vibrant and cultural prefecture of Dehong (1)

Jade carving art work [photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

In times past, Dehong was an important place along the ancient Silk Road. Today, it is a key part of the Yunnan-Burma Road and is home to a number of vivid cultural products. Dehong's two ports of Ruili and Wanding play an important role in connecting China and the other countries in Asia.

Falling in line with the country's Belt and Road Initiatives, Dehong Dai and Jingpo autonomous prefecture have constructed a comprehensive cultural industry, which comprises of the jewelry cultural industry, rosewood cultural industry, folk crafts industry and folk entertainment industry.

Jewelry cultural industry

Emerald necklace art work [photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Dehong is located at the intersection of the world's two biggest gem mineralized tectonic belts and is close to the gem-rich country of Burma. Yunnan also has a long tradition of jewelry trade and cultural exchanges with Burma, resulting in a prominent advantage in raw materials imports. Yunnan currently sits at the frontier of the jewelry industry.

In recent years, Dehong jewelry culture industry has formed a complete industrial chain including the import of raw materials, production, research and design. More than 8,000 jewelers from different places have gathered in Yunnan province. Some local brands such as Wang Chaoyang and Dong Yuchun have become well-known brands in jewelry industry.

Rosewood cultural industry

Rosewood boutique [photo/chinadaily.com.cm]

Thanks to Dehong's unique geographical advantage, it has become the rosewood resource center of Southeast and South Asia. With the country’s rapid economic development, Dehong's rosewood furniture industry has also developed rapidly in the last 10 years.

According to statistics, there are more than 410 enterprises - including more than 70 mid-sized enterprises - carrying out rosewood production, processing and marketing businesses in Dehong. The number of employees in Dehong's rosewood industry amounts to almost 20,000, including designers and carvers.

Cucurbit flute cultural industry

Finished rosewood cucurbit flutes [photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

As curcubit flute music from musician Gen Dequan has been widely spread at home and abroad, Dehong has gradually formed a complete cucurbit flute cultural industrial chain.

As a traditional instrument of Dai, Achang and De'ang ethnicities, the history of the cucurbit flute dates back to the pre-Qin era (the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, 770-221 BC).

The Lianghe cucurbit flute has been declared as the only national geographical indications instrument in China by the General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine.

Edited by Ge Jieru and Jacob Hooson