Hanging coffin is a unique and funeral and sacrifice custom of the minority groups in southern China. After death, the bodies were put into wooden coffins that were later placed in caves of precipitous cliff sides. Most coffins were made of one whole piece of wood into various shapes. It was said that the hanging coffins could prevent bodies from being taken by beasts and also bles the soul eternally.

Hanging coffins can be found in many places in China. The earliest ones were found in Wuyi mountan while the latest ones were found in Gongxian County of Southwest China's Sichuan province. The three hanging coffin sites are the Hanging Coffins of Bo People in Gongxian, Sichuan Province, Hanging Coffins of Guyue People in Dragon Tiger Mountain, and the Hanging Coffins of Guyue People in Wuyi Mountain.

Client's information:

Mr.Edwin Lee 2008-4-2 16:17

while there are not a lot of western tourists to Kashgar, there were a few who really stood out. This is a traditional Islamic culture where women are dressed very conservatively (some where the full head coverings while most have their arms and legs covered even in the summer months). Even the men are all dressed in pants and long sleeves for the most part. So, it's especially awkward when western tourist women where tank tops and shorts. Now, I realize that everyone has the right to dress as s/he pleases, but in this case it clearly made people there feel uncomfortable. So, I would recommend that both men and women wear at least long pants while in the Uighur parts of town out of courtesy. The Chinese are less partial on these kinds of things but since they represent such a small percentage of the population in Kashgar it's hard to avoid the Uighur community and its standards.

Client's information:

Mr.Leo Lander  2007-12-29 16:13