On the southwest shoreline of Erhai Lake, where the wetlands of Xiaoyizhuang Village meet the water, stands the Yu’an Temple. This structure serves as a sanctuary for the Bai people, anchoring their spiritual geography along the Erhai ecological corridor. Here, the boundary between history and myth dissolves in the mirror-like water reflections and the shifting glow of sunset clouds.

The temple belongs to Great-aunt Zhang, the local patron deity, or Benzhu, of the village. Legend remembers her as the compassionate aunt of the ancient Baizi Kingdom's king. Moved by the hardships of local fishermen, she transformed into a protective goddess to guide their boats through Erhai’s sudden storms. Her presence persists in the daily rituals of the community. Inside, the altar reveals the expansive nature of Bai worship. Alongside Great-aunt Zhang, the temple houses Emperor Jing, the Buddhist guardian Sangharama, the Old Aunt of the South Sea, and General Zhang Zhizhong, a twentieth-century military figure. This gathering of deities shows how the community weaves historical memory into their sacred space.

Time at Yu’an Temple is measured by the seasons and the moon. On the eighth day of the third lunar month, the community gathers for the Yu’an Hall Temple Fair. On the twenty-second day of the fourth lunar month, the temple hosts the Yu’an Ceremonies. This event serves as the preliminary ritual for Raosanling, the grandest festival of the Bai people. Worshippers gather under the scent of incense, chanting prayers before traveling from this lakeside shrine to the City Protector God Temple near Dali’s South Gate.

The physical landscape tells a story of continuous human presence. To the south, a concrete pump station built in 1969 extends into the lake, its weathered surfaces standing alongside the ancient temple. Today, the temple remains a living landmark, welcoming the annual Erhai Ecological Corridor Flower Float Parade. Visitors stand on the stone dike, listening to the rustle of wetland reeds and the gentle lap of the waves.