Located in Tongxin Town of southwest Yunnan’s Ninger Hani and Yi Autonomous County, Nakeli used to be a key stop on the ancient Tea-Horse Road. 

Now Nakeli has evolved into a multi-ethnic natural village, which is home to around 300 villagers of the Yi, Hani, Dai and Han ethnic groups.

In recent years, locals turned to rural tourism to increase their incomes, creating a cultural tourism brand that features the old trading route, trade caravans and folk customs.

The practices have brought back to life the key stop on the ancient Tea-Horse Road, bringing in visitors home and abroad.

Reporting by Hu Chao (Xinhua); trans-editing by Wang Shixue