Butterfly Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali City
Chinese Name:大理蝴蝶会
English Name: Butterfly Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali City
The Butterfly Festival, a vibrant folk tradition of the Bai ethnic group, takes place annually in the Dali region of Yunnan, China. Held just before the fifteenth day of the fourth lunar month, this festival celebrates the natural beauty of butterflies that gather around Butterfly Spring, located at the foot of Yunlong Peak in the Cangshan Mountains. The festival features an array of colorful butterflies, ranging from palm-sized to coin-sized, creating a breathtaking spectacle. The event is marked by picnics, traditional Dongjing music, prayers for good weather and harvests, and a time for young people to express love and seek partners.
Natural Beauty and Festivities
In April, when flowers are in full bloom, thousands of butterflies congregate at Butterfly Spring. They cluster on tree branches and sometimes take to the sky in unison, creating a dynamic, three-dimensional landscape. This natural phenomenon draws locals and tourists alike to witness the mesmerizing display.
Legends Surrounding Butterfly Spring
The origins of Butterfly Spring are steeped in Bai folklore. According to legend, a fierce python terrorized the area by capturing young girls until a brave hunter, Du Chaoxuan, killed the creature and rescued the captives. However, the girls, moved by the hunter’s bravery, sacrificed themselves by jumping into the bottomless spring, followed by Du Chaoxuan out of regret. All three transformed into butterflies, giving birth to the endless butterfly gatherings that the festival celebrates today. The spring was renamed Butterfly Spring, and a temple was erected in their honor.
Origin of the Festival
The Butterfly Festival has been a joyful celebration of harmony between humans and nature for centuries. Over 360 years ago, the traveler Xu Xiake described the incredible sight of thousands of butterflies gathering around an ancient mimosa tree by the spring. Today, the tree still stands, surrounded by fragrant trees and vibrant flowers, making it a paradise for butterflies and bees.
Festival Activities
The Butterfly Festival at Butterfly Spring in Dali is celebrated with great enthusiasm. The festival, also known as Dali’s Valentine’s Day, draws large crowds with Bai cultural performances, Dongjing music, and Bai dances. Butterfly Spring, a 4A scenic spot, charges an entrance fee of 40 yuan, though locals can enter for 8 yuan on the day of the festival. The site also features exhibits of Bai intangible cultural heritage and the spring water flowing from the “Five Dragon Pool.”
Butterfly Spring Today
Butterfly Spring has long been a symbol of steadfast love, making it a popular tourist destination. However, in recent years, the experience at Butterfly Spring has changed. While the Butterfly Museum and Butterfly World were once must-see areas, they have become more commercialized, with fewer live butterflies on display. The Butterfly World, originally meant to showcase live butterflies and specimens, now mainly sells butterfly specimens. The spherical exhibition hall, labeled as “Butterfly Pavilion” on tickets, is actually called “Maze Butterfly Forest” and is filled with commercial exhibits, detracting from the original charm of the site.
Reflection
Years ago, Butterfly Spring offered a rich educational experience for children and adults alike. However, recent visits during the “Valentine’s Day” event revealed a decline in the overall experience, with the commercialization overshadowing the natural beauty that once made the Butterfly Spring a unique and memorable destination.
