Today,the 56 nationalities,including the Han nationality,live on China's 9.6-million square kilometers of territory.Along with the Han people,these minorities have added to the profound Chinese civilization with their own fascinating cultures.Their beautiful costumes with unique accessories,diverse food customs,fascinating traditions,celebrations and history represent significant elements of Chinese civilization.Such diversity is the basis from which China,as a multi-national country,continues t

PREFACE
MONGOLIAN: THE PEOPLE ON HORSEBACK
Nomadic Life on Grasslands
The Three Necessary Skills of Mongolian Men
The Ancient Urtiin duu (long-song)
HEZHEN: FISHERMAN'S SONGS ACROSS THE WUSULI RIVER
Fishing in All Seasons
Fish-Skin Clothes and Birch-Bark Boats
Merry Dog Sleds
DAUR: THOUSAND-YEAR HISTORY OF PLAYING HOCKEY
Home of Hockey
Shaman: A Bridge to the Supernatural
EWENKh THE LAST HUNTING TRIBE
Following Reindeer Anywhere
Birch-Bark Fascination
UYGUR: LITTLE FLOWERY HATS BY THE TIANSHAN MOUNTAINS
The Singing and Dancing of Twelve Muqams
Beautiful Costumes
Delicious Food on the Silk Road
TU: THE RAINBOW NATIONALITY AND ITS UNIQUE SONGS
The Popular Regong Art
Rainbow Costumes
Folk Songs
KAZAK: LOVERS OF HORSES AND EAGLES
Training Eagles in Mountains and on Grasslands
Musicians Who Play Dombera
The Exciting Game of "Girls'Chase"
HUI: DEVOUT MUSLIMS
Entering the Islamic Culture
Unique Islamic Constructions
KIRGIZ: BORN FROM A HEROIC EPIC
Homeric Epic in China-Manas
Beautiful Artwork of Tu xi tu ke
Countless Uses of Camel Hide
TIBETAN: ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD
Age-Old Tibetan Buddhist Culture
New Looks of Old Tibetan Opera
Fascinating Costumes
DAI: BUDDHIST TEMPLES AND BAMBOO HOUSES
Devout Buddhist Followers
Water-Splashing Festival
Elephant-Foot Drums
DONG: GRAND SONG SINGERS
Singing across the Mountains
The Charm of Unique Drum Houses
Wind-and-Rain Bridges
HANI: PAINTING MASKS FOR HEAVENLY GODS
Thousand-Year-Old Terraced Fields
Mushroom Houses
MIAO: WEARING HISTORY ON COSTUMES
Chiming Silver Ornaments
Graceful Wax Printing
Elegant Pictures on Woven Brocade
NAXI: THE LAST LAND OF WOMEN
Strange but Romantic Weddings
Grand Ceremony for Adulthood
Dongba Culture-The Naxi People's Encyclopedia
QIANG: WATCHTOWERS IN HENGDUAN MOUNTAINS
Watchtowers
Ancient Paths
Rope Bridges
VA: DRUMBEATS THAT TRANSCEND HISTORY
Thunderous Drumming
Fascinating Dances
TUJIA: LIVING IN HIGH MOUNTAINS
Joyful at Funerals
Weeping at Weddings
The Age-Old Nuo Opera
ZHUANG: THE ETHNIC MINORITY OF THE LARGEST POPULATION
The Singing Festival
Brocade Embroidery
Raised Houses Sitting on Stakes
LI: AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD
Tattoos about to Disappear
Dancing to Get Blessings
GAOSHAN: CALLS FROM MOUNT ALl
Colorful Clothes
Highly Spirited "Hair-Shaking" Dance
Twin-Cups Wine Offered with Utmost Sincerity
APPENDIX: DISTRIBUTION OF THE ETHNIC GROUPS IN CHINA