China is such a diverse country. I knew it, but once in a while I get to know something that I are awed (literally!). I recently learnt that there is a place in northern corner of Yunnan province, close to Lijiang city which is special in following ways:

Lijiang city, 5-hours bus ride from “Daughters’ Country”

• It is called “Daughters’ Country”� (女兒國). Why? See below.
• It is matriarchal society.
• There is no concept of marriage there.
• Men and women can freely go around to find partners. What the heck fidelity is!
• Women work, bring in money, men� (read chosen partners of women)� stay home.
• When a woman wants to rear a child, she chooses the most handsome man. She might let him stay with her for a couple of years.
• The place surrounds one of most beautiful lakes in Southern China.
• Only� one known� (and now a writer)� woman from the area moved out of the place, to Shanghai. She wrote a book to introduce the place to rest of world. The book is in Chinese, so not for you and me.

Wang Jian Shuo has� some blog entries about his trip to place, though he does not cover the “Daughters’ Country” too much.

If you read Chinese, you will be better off here. Even if you are not, Babelfish is your not-so-close� friend to translate this.� I am hoping to make it there soon to have a first-hand look. If I did, I will post more information here.

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