Yuxi is a beautiful homeland with many plateau lakes. The abundant shell-mound sites are on the coast of the Fuxian, Xingyun and Qilu lakes. The ancient people chose the flat land as their desirable residence, where people could produce various products and have mild climate. No one could predict that the clamshells accumulated day by day would become the source to breed Ancient Yunnan Culture.
　　During the Spring and Autumn Period, a large troop named Chu established the first kingdom by the Dianchi Lake--the Ancient Dian Kingdom in Yunnan history. Moreover, the troop created brilliant bronze culture. In 1972, the state authority on cultural relics carried out an excavation to Lijiashan.
　　 At Lijiashan Mountain by the Xingyun Lake, some 87 ancient tombs dated back to the Spring and Autumn Period or the Western Han Dynasty were excavated. Over 4,000 pieces of bronze, jade, and stone relics of rich content, fine craftsmanship and striking ethnic feature were unearthed, from which the developing phases of the culture of Central Yunnan can be induced and deduced. Such a large number of relics show a striking ethnic feature and the close relationship between Yunnan and Central China. The world famous “Cattle-Tiger Bronze Table” is the representative masterpiece of Lijiashan Bronze Culture, which displays a relatively high level in form, design and cast skill, being one of the national treasures of bronze relics.
　　How many historical secrets are buried in the Lijiashan Mountain? We do not know. The excavated tombs are only a small part. Experts say there are more than 200 ancient tombs in the mountain. Judged from the quantity and cultural value of the bronze wares unearthed from the 87 tombs, Lijiashan Mountain plays a rare role in the world bronze wares archeological history.
　　People discovered the build of ancient Persians and Beibi (cowries shells serving as currency) produced in tropical sea area in West Asia. Japanese tourists regard the knelt bronze figurines as their ancestors.
　　The brilliant cultures of the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty are produced with the inborn natural legend and people’s hard work. Since Han Dynasty, people began to “cut off trees and set up temples”. Several dynasties past, Xiushan Mountains became one of the Four Famous Mountains in Yunnan. Buddhism, Confucianism and Taoism are combined together into a united whole. The ancient buildings and trees could be seen everywhere. The grand culture scenery makes Xiushan Mountains a solid museum of Yunnan Culture.
　　With the history fusion and the worship to traditional culture, Yuxi creates its own ancient and lively culture spirit, which exists not only in the sound of reading and the wish for better life, but also in the rich soil of folk music. The endless String and Bamboo Flute Music makes Yuxi a merry homeland and a music kingdom as well.
　　Yuxi folk music, represented by Yuxi Huadeng Opera, Dongjing Music and Song of Mountain, enlightened a music talent named Nie’er who composed the rhythm of the Chinese National Anthem. The story and the spirit of Nie’er, the rhythm of the Chinese National Anthem composed by Nie’er with the rich ancient culture encourage Yuxi people to fulfill the great prospect to build Yuxi into a famous modern culture city.

Source: http://glamour.yuxi.gov.cn