The mysterious Dulong ethnic group in Yunnan province

Located in a canyon with a depth of 3,800 meters (12,467 feet) and surrounded by the Tibetan Plateau in the north, the Gaoligong Mountain in the east, and the Dandanglika Mountain in the west, the inhabitated area of the Dulong ethnic minority was isolated.Before the foundation of modern China, the productivity of the Dulong ethnic minority was as low as that of a patrilineal clanship. Today their backward condition has been improved.

The Dulong people is one of the ethnic minorities with a relatively small population. The 5,816 Dulong people mainly live in the northwest of Yunnan Province - on the banks of the vale of Dulong River in the west of Gongshan Autonomous County of Dulong Minority Group, banks of Nu River in the north, Qile Village in the neighbouring Weixi Autonomous County of Lisu Minority Group; and also in Chawaluo of Chayu County, Tibet Autonomous Region. Besides, there are a certain number of Dulong in Myanmar.

Dulong people have their own language, which does not have a written form. They used to record things and exchange information by tying knots and carving wood. The Dulong language belongs to the Zang and Mian language branch, Sino-Tibetan family, similar to the Nu language in Gong Mountain.

Dacial tattoos have long been a part of Dulong people's culture. Traditionally, Dulong women used to prick tattoos onto their faces when they reached 12 or 13 years of age. However, the custom was abolished after the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was founded in 1949. There are now around 30 Dulong women still alive with facial tattoos and experts state that this aspect of their culture may disappear very soon. The youngest face-tattooed woman is 58 years old while the oldest is above 100.

The typical dress of the women consists of a dress made of fabric lined with colors black and white. Formerly, the women used to tattoo their faces when they reached the age of twelve or thirteen. The tattoos of some women resembled masculine mustaches.

Houses are usually constructed out of wood. They are two stories in height; the second floor is designed as the living quarters for the family whereas the first level serves as a barn and stable. When a male member of the family is married, a new section is added to the family's house where he and his new wife will live in.