Yunnan Mystery

Author: Zhu Jingyu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: Yunnan is on the southwestern frontier of China, and due to historical, transportation, cultural, ethnic, and natural reasons, it holds many mysteries that are foreign or hard to understand. This book compiles some of the major, unresolved enigmas and provides explanations, incorporating both academic achievements explored by predecessors and the author's own perspectives. The history of Yunnan is mysterious; its culture is enigmatic; its geography is fantastical. The Long Couplet of Daguan Pavilion appraises history, with four themes, all of which are mysteries: "Han's Practice of Warships" holds the mystery of where Kunming is hidden; "Tang's Marking of Iron Pillars" holds the mystery of Bai's abdication; "Song's" holds the mystery of drawing a river as a boundary; and "Yuan's Crossing with a Leather Bag" holds the mystery of the Khagan's stopping of bloodshed.
Two major mysteries of the modern era: How did life arise? When did humans come into being? The answers to both mysteries are in Yunnan. The Cambrian Explosion of Life is hidden in the Mocang Mountains; the mystery of the origin and extinction of dinosaurs is hidden on the Nama Slope of Yuanmou. With these two mysteries solved, other mysteries such as the origins of the Cangjie Tree Culture, the Chinese culture, the rice culture, the bronze drum culture, and the tea culture are all locked in key locations in Yunnan.
Additionally, the life-saving corn and the adorable panda—when you dig deeper, their origins are all tied to Yunnan.