Famous Ethnic Festivals in China

Event Time: on the 4th, August

Place to See: Lhasa, Tibet

Shoton Festival is a cultural gala in Tibet. The festival has many interesting and marvelous activities like Great Buddha Display, Tibetan Opera Show and Horsemanship & Yak Race Show. In Drepung Monastery, you could enjoy the prelude to the festival. The 500-square-meter large Great Buddha Display on the hillside marks the beginning of the annual Shoton Festival. In the Norbulingka Park, you could enjoy the Tibetan Operas which performed by the Tibetan Opera troupes from Lhasa. You could also see the Horsemanship & Yak Race Show at Lhasa Race Course. Join in the Shoton Festival and travelers could explore the best of Tibetan religion, culture and tradition.

Event Time: around July of every year

Place to See: Grasslands near Hohhot, Inner Mongolia

Summer is the best time to travel to Inner Mongolia. During the time, you could not only enjoy traditional culture and customs of Mongolian by visiting the grasslands like Huitengxile, Gegentala, Xilamuren, but also join the Naadam Festival to enjoy three games - the wrestling, horse racing and archery. Besides the activities, you could also join in the bonfire party, sing and dance with locals, taste some Mongolian food.

Event Time: from 15th to 21th of the third lunar month

Place to See: Dali, Yunnan

March Fair is the grandest festival for the Bai people who are living in Dali, Yunnan. Also known as Guanyin Fair, it is held at the foot of Cangshan Mountain and Dali Old Town. Nowadays, it has developed into the largest market for commodity transaction in west Yunnan. During the festival, businessmen and local people in and around Dali gather here to participate in the transaction. What's more, horse-racing, folk dance and songs will be presented by the Bai, Yi, Naxi, Tibetan, and Hui minorities.

Event Time: from 24th to 27th of the sixth lunar month

Place to See: Yi minority areas in Yunnan, Guizhou and Sichuan

The Torch Festival is a traditional festival celebrated by Yi ethnic group in Southwest China, originating from the worship of fire believed to repel insects and protect crops. It usually lasts three days. During the festival, people light torches and walk around fields and houses; young men and women sing and dance around large torches. You can also enjoy activities like horse racing, bullfights, arrow shooting, wrestling, tug-of-war and swinging.

Event Time: from 13th to 15th of April, sometimes lasts for 3-7 days

Place to See: Xishuangbanna, Yunnan

Water Splashing Festival is the most important festival of Dai ethnic group of Xishuangbanna, and it is also the New Year Festival of Dai people. During the festival, Dai people race dragon boats, visit temples and monasteries, wash the statues of Buddha with water (known as “Bathing the Buddha”), and hold an epic water fight on the last day. They believe pouring water on others could remove bad luck and bring happiness. The wetter you get, the luckier you will be.

Recommended Water Splashing Festival Tour

If you are interested in Water Splashing Festival of Dai Ethnic, please make sure your travel time could be suit for the time of the festival and it’s better to book the tour earlier before the festival. For more detailed itinerary and activities arrangement, please feel free to contact our professional travel consultants.

Event Time: in the Tenth lunar month (exact date announced 1-2 months in advance)

Place to See: Leishan, Guizhou Province

Miao New Year Festival is the grandest festival for Miao Ethnic Minority. It is good to get to Leishan County in Guizhou to enjoy the festival. During the event, you can watch festival parades, traditional Lusheng music, bullfights, horse-racing and lots of singing and dancing. It's a great chance to know Miao people's customs, lifestyle, arts, dress and activities.

Event Time: two festival times;

Place to See: Kaili, Guizhou

Travelers can enjoy Lusheng Festival in Kaili, Guizhou. If planning a visit in January and February, head to Zhouxi Town, 16 km from Kaili city. In Zhouxi, more than 30,000 people participate. If planning a tour in November, go to Gulong Village in Huangping County, 75 km from Kaili city, to enjoy the autumn Gulong Lusheng Festival, usually on the 27th–29th of the ninth lunar month. Expect singing, bullfighting, horse racing, and dancing to the rhythm of the Lusheng.

Event Time: the 15th of the third lunar month, lasts for 3 days

Place to See: Kaili area (Taijiang, Laotun, Shidong), Guizhou

Sisters’ Meal Festival is the ancient Chinese Valentines’ Day. Travelers could get to Taijiang County, Laotun Town, Shidong Town to enjoy the Sisters’ Meal Festival. And the most famous one is Shidong, about 2 hours’ drive from Kaili. The Sisters’ Meal Festival brings villagers from many remote mountain areas together to seek for a mate. They also enjoy many activities including Lusheng singing and dancing, boating, drum-beating, bullfighting, rooster fighting etc. And most importantly, they will enjoy the Sisters’ Meal, an eye-pleasing and appetizing meal made of polished glutinous rice. The festival and its activities will last for 3 days.