The Yunnan Ethnic Nationality Village (Yúnnán Mínzú Cūn, 云南民族村) is, in essence, a theme-park presentation of Yunnan's officially recognized 26 ethnic minorities, a long list headed up in terms of overall tourist appeal, if not by overall population, by the Bai, Dai, Naxi, Yi, Tibetans and Mosuo. 

Located on the northeastern shore of Dian Lake and a short walk from the Yunnan Museum of Minority Nationalities, the "Village" provides a neatly packaged and, it must be said, slightly cheesy take on Yunnan's minority cultures and traditions.

Representatives of each minority sing, dance, make handicrafts and pose for photos with tourists throughout the day, with highlights including an elephant show and pan-ethnic welcome ceremony.

Most of the "villagers" are the real deal, though it's not that unusual for Han and other ethnicities to don the garb of a particular minority in a pinch, and visitors will note that most of the women (grandmothers and children aside) seem to have been selected for their physical beauty and health—no sign of the symptoms of the relative poverty that plagues many small communities scattered throughout the province's back country.  

Three major villages represent the Dai, the Bai and the Yi nationalities. In a province that chock-full of acutal traditional villages, it would be best to go see the "real thing," but the Village, along with the neighboring museum, does provide some insight into regional lifeways (as well as into the PRC's ongoing PR campaign boosting the notion that China is, and pretty much always has been, one big harmonious, happy family). 

The Butterfly Museum and Yi Sun Calendar Square—representing the Yi's 10-month and 360-day year—are two of the more interesting exhibits.

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