Yi villagers chat at a wet market in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 27, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.

These traditional dwellings, which blend Han and Yi cultural characteristics, feature a nearly square or rectangular layout centered around a courtyard with rooms surrounding it. This design not only suits the local climate but also meets functional living needs. Currently, the village preserves more than 80 such buildings, many of which are hundreds of years old.

In recent years, through systematic preservation and restoration efforts, the village has maintained its original ancient charm while introducing new businesses such as homestays, bakeries, cafes, and specialty restaurants.

Today, visitors can experience the rustic charm of bread baked in earthen ovens, explore the unique allure of Yi culture, stay overnight in traditional homestays, and immerse themselves in the multi-ethnic life.

With its profound historical and cultural heritage and stunning natural scenery, Leju Village has become a key protected village in Yunnan Province and Kunming City. In 2013, it was listed in the second batch of traditional Chinese villages catalog, serving as a vivid example of the preservation and dynamic utilization of traditional villages. (Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Tourists have meal at a restaurant in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 27, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

A drone panoramic photo taken on July 27, 2025 shows a view in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

A staff member makes bread at a bakery in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 27, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

A drone photo taken on July 23, 2025 shows a pond in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Li Zefen (R), a Yi villager, works at a hamburger shop in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 27, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Tourists visit Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 23, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Tourists are pictured at a cafe in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 27, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

A drone photo taken on July 27, 2025 shows a view in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Tourists visit a wet market in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 27, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

A tourist shops at a souvenir store in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 27, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Tourists are pictured at a homestay in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 23, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Entrepreneur Duan Junyu (1st L) helps customers order at a shop in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 27, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

This photo taken on July 23, 2025 shows a view in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

A drone photo taken on July 27, 2025 shows tourists enjoying leisure time in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

A drone photo taken on July 27, 2025 shows a homestay in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

A child experiences soya bean milk making in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 27, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Tourists visit a wet market in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 23, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Tourists try bread at a bakery in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 27, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Tourists are pictured in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 27, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

A drone photo taken on July 27, 2025 shows tourists visiting the traditional architecture in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Tourists visit Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 27, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)

Workers paint a wall in Leju Village in Xishan District of Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, July 23, 2025. Leju Village in Kunming is an ancient Yi ethnic village with a history of over 600 years. Its name, derived from the Yi language, means "the village at the foot of the rocky mountain," and it is renowned for its unique residential architecture.(Xinhua/Chen Xinbo)