Lakun

**Lakun** (辣昆; *làkūn*) is a city located in Xingkuang District, Xingsu Prefecture. As of 2018, it has a population of 470,000. The city is notable for its large deer park, which attracts hundreds of tourists every year.

## Etymology

The name of the city literally means "place of the deer", which refers to the native species of the area. Located in the foothills of the Yangdu Mountains, the surrounding region has been inhabited by wild deer for over a thousand years, and the animal has become something of a symbol for the city itself.

## History

### Early history

It is thought that Lakun may have been first settled by hunter-gatherers in the late 6th century. However, there is surprisingly little evidence to suggest any kind of infrastructure or housing was built, which leads to the theory that early settlers advanced onwards into the mountains.

In the 10th century, Lakun was rediscovered by members of the Bei clan who immediately settled in the region. The presence of wild deer encouraged the trading of deerskin leather and venison, which soon boosted Lakun's economic growth. It quickly grew from a small hunting outpost to a large, residential town in which there may have been over 5,000 people living.

During his reign, Emperor Kangzou frequently expressed his delight in the deer of Lakun, which had by that point been somewhat domesticated, and were often kept as ornamental animals. Members of the upper-class flooded to the town, eager to see the creatures and perhaps buy one or two for themselves. In 1854, Lakun set up the Lakun Deer Park, which is still popular to this day.

### 20th century

In the early 20th century, considerable efforts were made to properly excavate and unearth the hundreds of ancient shrines which had been supposedly built around the city's outer circuit. Most of these shrines were dedicated to the mountain deities, though it was theorised that some might also be *zusuan* for minor members of the Bei clan. After six years (1914-1920), a total of 210 shrines had been discovered, the majority being very small and obviously used by only one or two families. However, no other places of worship were discovered except for a ruined moon-garden built in the late 1300s.

In 1967, Lakun's infrastructure underwent a massive upheaval, due to multiple reports of instability and disrepair on roads, powerlines, sewage facilities and pipeworks.

In 1983, the city entered a new era of prosperity as the tourism industry began to pick up traction. The popularity of the Deer Park, which had been fading steadily over the years, was revived with intensity. Neo-Qiren followers enjoyed the 'whimsical' sights of the many shrines around the outskirts of the city. In 1986, the Lakun Shrine Tour was established to give tourists a complete and detailed look into the hundreds of shrines.

In 1992, Lakun finally achieved city status with a population of 233,000.

### 21st century

In 2008, Lakun became linked by fast-rail to the cities of Zhiubu, Qiepan and Rongshiu.

In 2012, a number of old-fashioned Kantonese *nutou* began to spring up around the city, in response to another growth in the local tourism industry. Surprisingly, the popularity of these traditional hostels quickly overtook the Western-style hotels prevalent in Lakun, perhaps due to their bargain prices and 'foreigner-friendly' facilities.

In 2017, Lakun's mayor announced that the city would be holding its first Deer Festival in August that year, picking up an ancient tradition which fell out of practice over 200 years prior. The festival is dedicated to the city's main symbol, ornamental deer, and includes live music, dancing, storytelling and traditional *qing* theatre performances.

## Geography

Lakun is located in the foothills of the Yangdu Mountains, almost directly below the mountain of Kunyou.

The city often experiences mild weather throughout all four seasons, with winters being icy and cold.

## Economy

The city thrives from its tourism industry, which is possibly one of the largest in Xingsu Prefecture. Additionally, the majority of its residents work in the tertiary and service sectors, with a large percentage working blue- or white-collar jobs.