Baigecun (China)

The authentic feel of this village is particularly pleasing - nothing's staged nor designed to pull in the tourists. Life goes on as usual and visitors blend in.

At the foot of Mount Fenghuang, 90% of Xingmeng's population are descended from Mongols, who fled to China after the fall of Yunnan in the 13th Century. Its people live off the production of vegetables and speak a dialect that closely ressembles Mongolian. They also live in Mongolian-style mud brick houses. Women still wear traditional costumes and ancient customs permeate their lives, even if nowadays it's become blended with Chinese traditions.