China is a big and united family made up of 56 ethnic groups. Geographically speaking, they are distributed in different parts of China with the resulting difficulty of experiencing each ethnic group's architecture, their festivals and tasting their snacks during one of your visits. But the China Folk Cultural Village, lying at the Overseas Chinese Town, Shenzhen, will help solve this problem. It is the first spot in China where you can learn of the folk cultures of China. The more than 200,000 square meters (about 494 acres) has 24 peculiar cottages which are constructed at a ratio of 1:1 and are very welcoming to all visitors.

In the village, you will see the distinctive architecture of ethnic groups and join their brilliant festivals. Buying some handicrafts or tasting local snacks is another way to experience the China Folk Culture Village.

Distinctive Architecture
The stone village of the Buyi ethnic group, distributed mainly in the Sichuan and Guizhou Provinces, is a wonderful stone world. The simple furniture such as tables, stoves and basins are made of stone as it the stone-paved path. When you come to the Mosuo people's yard, you will find that the prototype of modern flats originated from the Mosuo people's living structures. They piled the solid wooden stocks crossways into a square or rectangular house which was quakeproof. What really interests tourists is that this group is today the world's only matriarchal community in existence. The Dai ethnic group inhabits Yunnan Province where there is an abundance of bamboo. Because of this, all the girders, tiles and roofs in their homes are made entirely of bamboo. Yes, you may call it 'a bamboo garden'. Actually, this kind of building is a two-storied attic in the air. Dozens of wooden stocks support the whole attic and the floor is tiled with flakes of bamboo. Here is the Mongol ethnic group which is generally known as 'a group on horse back' because of their nomadic living habits. Mongols live in the yurts which are not only cool in summer and warm in winter but easy to set up or dismantle. No matter which group you are visiting, young boys and girls will warmly welcome your arrival.

Brilliant Festivals
If you come at right time, you will be able to experience some unique festivals of the minorities. In the Water-Splashing Festival, water is splashed on each other. In addition, the dragon-boat contest each spring, maintains the most important event in Dai people's lunar calendar. They hope to get rid of evil and misfortune from the last year and anticipate blessings in the coming year. Come prepared to get thoroughly soaked. In contrast, The Torch Festival is the most traditional event of the Yi ethnic group and held in the sixth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Tourists will see the Yi people in bright garments carrying torches as they walk around their houses and farmlands. Usually, chickens or ducks will be sacrificed to pay homage to ancestors. Maybe you will be invited to take part in the performance when the villagers happily sing and dance around their bonfires. The breathtaking and memorable Knife Bar Festival of the Lisu ethnic group is celebrated in the second month of the Chinese lunar calendar. This two part festival starts on the first day by demonstrating the 'jumping into the fire sea'. Several barefooted men jump in and out of a blazing fire. The performance on the second day is as adventurous as that on the first day. It is called 'climbing the mountain studded with knives' because courageous men will climb a ladder formed by two wooden poles with 32 sharp long knives inserted crosswise on their inner surfaces. When barefooted heroes reach the top of ladder, they light the firecrackers to declare their success. This traditional festival commemorates Wang Ji, a hero who valiantly helped the Lisu people to resist foreign invaders during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

Others
In the China Folk Culture Village, additional attractions are folk dances, local snacks and handicrafts. You will be able to choose many souvenirs from the variety of diverse designs. The tasty snacks may leave you wanting more of these delicious foods. All in all, after strolling through the adventures in this village, you will have a greater understanding of some of the Chinese cultural groups

Tips: China Folk Culture Village offers you minibuses or boats to tour. You may also walk to each spots within the China Folk Culture Village.