Shimenkan, Weining: A Cultural Gem in the Southwest of China
Nestled in the northwest of Weining Yi, Hui, and Miao Autonomous County in Bijie City, Guizhou Province, Shimenkan (literally "Stone Gate Pass") is a place of profound historical significance and unique cultural heritage. Perched on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau at an altitude of over 2,200 meters, it borders Yunnan Province to the west, boasting breathtaking natural scenery with rolling green hills, clear streams, and a pleasant climate—cool even in summer, making it an ideal destination for eco-tourism.
Shimenkan's fame stems from its extraordinary historical evolution as a "cultural holy land" in southwest China. In the early 20th century, it was a remote and underdeveloped area inhabited mainly by the Miao ethnic group. Thanks to the efforts of missionaries and local intellectuals, it witnessed a remarkable cultural transformation: schools, hospitals, and churches were established, introducing modern education and medical care to the region. It became one of the first places in southwest China to promote universal education among ethnic minorities, producing a large number of educated talents and earning the reputation of "the Oxford of Guizhou." Today, relics such as the old stone church, historic school buildings, and the Miao-Chinese-English dictionary compiled here still stand as testaments to this glorious period.
The cultural diversity of Shimenkan is another highlight. The area is home to multiple ethnic groups, including Miao, Yi, Hui, and Han, each preserving their unique traditions. Visitors can immerse themselves in the rich ethnic customs: watch the lively Miao Lusheng dance and horse-head fiddle performances, admire the exquisite embroidery and batik works of local women, and taste authentic ethnic delicacies like sour soup fish, roasted whole lamb, and glutinous rice cakes. The annual Miao New Year and Torch Festival are grand celebrations that attract tourists from all over, offering a glimpse into the passionate and vibrant life of the local people.
In addition to its cultural treasures, Shimenkan boasts stunning natural landscapes. The surrounding plateau grasslands stretch as far as the eye can see, dotted with flocks of sheep and cattle, creating a pastoral scene straight out of a painting. The nearby Shimenkan Reservoir shimmers like a blue gem, surrounded by lush forests, providing a peaceful retreat for nature lovers. Hiking trails wind through the mountains, offering panoramic views of the plateau scenery and opportunities to encounter rare plants and animals.
In recent years, Shimenkan has undergone tremendous development while preserving its cultural roots. Improved transportation infrastructure has made it more accessible to tourists, and a series of cultural and ecological tourism projects have been launched. The local government has also made great efforts to protect historical relics and intangible cultural heritage, ensuring that the unique culture of Shimenkan is passed down to future generations.
Whether you are interested in history, culture, or nature, Shimenkan has something to offer. It is a place where past and present coexist harmoniously, where ethnic traditions thrive, and where natural beauty captivates. A visit to Shimenkan is not only a journey of discovery but also an experience that will leave you with lasting memories.
Samuel Pollard: His Contributions to Shimenkan
Samuel Pollard, a British missionary from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, was also a key promoter in the modern development history of Shimenkan. He rooted himself in Shimenkan for decades and, with a spirit of selfless dedication, initiated unprecedented changes in this once backward and barren land from the fields of education, culture, and medical care, profoundly transforming the living conditions of the local Miao and other ethnic minorities.
1. Popularization of Education: Lighting the Light of Knowledge
Pollard was well aware of the importance of education in alleviating poverty. In 1905, he founded the first modern school in Shimenkan - Guanghua Primary School of Shimenkan. This school broke the situation of educational scarcity in ethnic minority areas at that time, opened its doors to local Miao children for the first time, and provided free education, attracting a large number of children from poor families to enroll. He innovated the teaching model, combining Chinese, English, and the Miao language, and compiled textbooks suitable for local students, making knowledge more accessible.
Under his efforts, the education cause in Shimenkan developed rapidly. Later, a number of primary and secondary schools were established one after another, forming a relatively complete education system. According to records, by the 1930s, Shimenkan had cultivated hundreds of primary school graduates, dozens of middle school graduates, and even some students were admitted to universities. It became a model of ethnic minority education in the southwest region, and Shimenkan thus won the reputation of "Little Oxford of Guizhou". Most of these educated students later became the backbone of local construction, promoting the progress of the regional society.
2. Cultural Innovation: Safeguarding National Treasures
To better spread knowledge and be close to the local ethnic culture, Pollard collaborated with Miao intellectuals to carry out important reforms and innovations on the Miao script. Based on the pronunciation characteristics of the Miao language and drawing on the Latin alphabet, he created a set of Miao pinyin script - the "Old Miao Script". The birth of this script ended the history of the Miao people having only a spoken language but no written language, providing an important carrier for the inheritance and development of Miao culture.
He also organized personnel to translate books such as the Bible and The Three-Character Classic into the Old Miao Script, compiled collections of Miao folk stories, and recorded the history, customs, and ballads of the Miao people, enabling the systematic preservation of Miao traditional culture. At the same time, he encouraged the Miao people to create works in their own ethnic script, stimulating the vitality of ethnic culture and enhancing the cultural identity and pride of the Miao people.
3. Medical Improvement: Safeguarding Life and Health
At that time, the sanitary conditions in Shimenkan were extremely poor, and diseases were rampant. Due to the lack of medical knowledge and treatment conditions, local people often suffered from illnesses. After witnessing this situation, Pollard actively promoted the development of medical undertakings. He established the first clinic in Shimenkan, personally learned traditional Chinese medicine and local herbal knowledge, treated diseases for the people, and distributed free medicines.
He also vigorously popularized health knowledge, teaching local people to develop good living habits such as washing hands frequently, taking baths regularly, and drinking boiled water to prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases. Under his influence, more and more people began to attach importance to health, the sanitary conditions in Shimenkan were significantly improved, and the incidence of diseases dropped sharply. The medical model he established also laid the foundation for the development of local medical and health undertakings later.
4. Social Development: Promoting All-Round Progress
In addition to the fields of education, culture, and medical care, Pollard also actively promoted the social construction of Shimenkan. He advocated gender equality, encouraged Miao women to attend school and receive education, breaking the constraints of traditional concepts on women; he built roads and bridges, improved local transportation conditions, and promoted the communication between Shimenkan and the outside world; he introduced advanced agricultural technologies, guided local people to improve farming methods, increased crop yields, and improved the living standards of the people.
In addition, he also actively mediated ethnic conflicts, promoted unity and harmony among the Miao, Yi, Han, and other ethnic groups, and created a stable development environment for Shimenkan.
Samuel Pollard's contributions to Shimenkan are not only reflected in the material construction and development but also in the fact that he brought new ideas and development opportunities to the local people, inspiring their motivation to pursue progress and a happy life. His deeds are still praised by the local people to this day, becoming an indelible mark in the history of Shimenkan.
