Bazich Ancient Village: A Slice of Tranquility in the Heart of Sichuan
Sichuan, China, is home to a multitude of ethnic groups, each with its own unique culture and customs. This rich tapestry of traditions ensures that the region of Bazich retains a vibrant cultural heritage.
Located just a 2.5-hour drive from Pingwu County (Mianyang City), Bazich Ancient Village is an ancient tribe that has been forgotten amidst the rapid development of Sichuan.
Bazich Ancient Village – The Home of the Ancient Bai Ma Tribe
Bazich Ancient Village is located by the serene Tianmu Lake.
Bazich Ancient Village lies peacefully beside the tranquil Tianmu Lake, serving as the home of the Bai Ma tribe, known for their simplicity and warmth. The lake is as calm as a giant mirror, nestled quietly among towering mountains, like a precious treasure hidden deep within the wilderness.
Visiting this place allows you to experience the local customs and explore the ancient roots of the Bai Ma people.
Though the residents may be considered an ancient tribe, you will find their warmth and hospitality to be truly inviting!
The lake’s color is a reflection of the surrounding scenery.
At Tianmu Lake, the four distinct seasons bring about changes in the landscape, adapting to the weather, each season showcasing its own unique beauty. Here, you can observe the lake’s surface transforming throughout the year under the sunlight.
The color of the water reflects the surrounding landscape. In spring, the sky is clear and high; the forests are lush and green. In summer, the sky is dotted with white clouds, and the leaves begin to turn slightly yellow under the sun. Autumn sees the foliage change, with shades of yellow, green, and red all present. By winter, the lake’s surface resembles a white mirror, reflecting the snow-covered mountains like a scene from a fairy tale.
The Bai Ma people living here are few.
Bazich Ancient Village features simple folk customs and distinctive ethnic cultural traits. This tribe embodies a primitive lifestyle harmonizing with nature, relying on the land and sky. The village is tucked away in a corner of Tianmu Lake, resting at the foot of high mountains. The simple wooden houses, with their black tiles and moss, reflect the passage of time.
Stepping into Bazich Ancient Village by the shores of Tianmu Lake, you can feel the ancient cultural essence that has persisted for thousands of years. The Bai Ma people are not numerous anymore. Besides the uniformly built wooden houses, visitors may also find a few homes that have been modernized with cement.
Faith in Spirit and a Simple Life
Chickens are considered the benevolent deities of the Bai Ma tribe.
Legend has it that during the conflict between the Tho Phien King and the Tang Dynasty, the Bai Ma people could not withstand the might of the Tang soldiers. When the locals were exhausted and in a stupor, the Tang soldiers seized the opportunity to launch a covert attack.
At that moment, all the pheasants in the village began to cry out, awakening the villagers who successfully repelled the Tang assault. To honor the pheasants for saving their lives, the ancestors of the Bai Ma tribe wore hats made from pheasant feathers.
With mountains behind and water in front, Bazich Ancient Village feels like a world apart. Life here is slow and unpretentious. Each household grows their own vegetables and fruits for self-sufficiency. Occasionally, they venture into the forest to trap small animals, but primarily they rely on the fish and shrimp from the lake.
Tourism development has brought modernity to this place.
However, this does not mean that the village is entirely backward compared to modern times. Tourism development has infused a breath of modernity into this area. Inside, you can still find some modern appliances, and occasionally, furniture made from metal and plastic appears, rather than solely wooden materials.
Bazich Ancient Village is surrounded by the Vong Lang and Jiuzhaigou National Nature Reserves. The ancient Bai Ma people living here preserve their ethnic culture and traditional lifestyle, owning their own language and unique customs.
The Bai Ma tribe in Bazich Ancient Village is a shining gem within the traditional ethnic culture of China.
