Dali Festivals and Events
Dali Festivals and Activities are very colorful and Dali is the best place to take a festival tour. There are 13 ethnic groups in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, namely, Han, Bai, Yi, Hui, Lisu, Miao, Naxi, Zhuang, Tibetan, Blang, Lahu, Achang, Dai and other ethnic groups. This part gives a brief introduction of festivals and activities in Dali, and tell travelers what to do when come to Dali.
Festivals in Dali
As the prominent ethnic minority inhabited in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Bai Ethnic Minority created brilliant culture and customs, among which the unique traditional festivals of Bai people enjoy good fame and attract tourists home and abroad to visit.
Popular Festivals
- The Fishing Opening Festival
- Hungry Ghost Festival
- Dragon Boat Race Festival
- Xiaojizu Singing Festival
- March Street (Sanyuejie) Festival
- Raosanling Festival
Festivals by Regions in Dali
Dali City
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| January 10 of Lunar Calendar | Benzhu Worship Festival | Bai |
| February | Flower Festival (Huazhaojie) | Bai |
| February 15 of Lunar Calendar | Tianfengshan Mountain Song Festival | Bai |
| March 15-21 of Lunar Calendar | March Street (Sanyuejie) Festival | Bai |
| April 24-25 of Lunar Calendar | Raosanling Festival | Bai |
Weishan County
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| February of Lunar Calendar | Jiejingu Festival | Bai |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | Dage Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority | Yi |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | The Ancestor Worship Festival | Yi |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | Eryueba Festival | Yi |
| March 12 of Islamic Calendar | Mawlid Festival of Hui Ethnic People | Hui |
| March 12-18 | Weishan Snack Festival | Yi, Hui |
| March 29-April 1 | Maanshan Pear Blossom Festival | Yi |
| June 25 of Lunar Calendar | Torch Festival | Yi |
| July 15 of Lunar Calendar | Ghost Festival | Yi |
| September | Peasant Culture Festival | Yi |
| October of Islamic Calendar | Eid al-Fitr Festival of Hui Ethnic People | Hui |
| December of Islamic Calendar | Eid al-Adha Festival of Hui Ethnic Minority | Hui |
Nanjian County
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | Yashen Festival | Yi |
| March | Tea-leaves Picking Festival | Yi |
| May 5 of Lunar Calendar | Sangwang Festival | Yi |
| May 5 of Lunar Calendar | Red Bayberry Festival | Yi |
| June 25 of Lunar Calendar | Torch Festival | Yi |
| July 15 of Lunar Calendar | Ghost Festival | / |
| November 25 | Wuliangshan Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival | / |
| November 25 | Tiaocai Dance Art Festival | / |
Jianchuan County
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| January 15 of Lunar Calendar | Qingguniang Festival (Women’s Festival) | Bai |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | Prince Festival | Bai |
| February 15 of Lunar Calendar | Nirvana Festival | Bai |
| April 8 of Lunar Calendar | April 8th (Siyueba) Festival | Bai |
| April 8 of Lunar Calendar | Buddha Birthday Festival | Bai |
| June 15 of Lunar Calendar | Jianhu Lake Encircling Festival | Bai |
| July 15 of Lunar Calendar | Yulanpen Festival | Bai |
| July 27-August 1 of Lunar Calendar | Shibaoshan Folk Song Festival | Bai |
| December 18 of Lunar Calendar | Laba Festival | Bai |
Eryuan County
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| January 14-18 of Lunar Calendar | Naochunwang Festival | Bai |
| March 12-26 | Cibihu Pear Blossom Festival | / |
| June 13 of Lunar Calendar | Qingyuan Cave Singing Festival | Bai |
| June 25 of Lunar Calendar | Haixihai Folk Song Festival | Bai |
| July 23 of Lunar Calendar | Haideng Lantern Festival | Bai |
| October of Islamic Calendar | Eid al-Fitr Festival of Hui Ethnic People | Hui |
Yangbi County
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | Knife-ladder-climbing Festival | Lisu |
| March 19 of Lunar Calendar | Dage Festival | Yi |
| June 25 of Lunar Calendar | Torch Festival | Yi |
Yunlong County
| Date | Festival | Ethnic Minority |
| February 8 of Lunar Calendar | Bathing Festival | Bai |
| March 30-April 1 | Tianchi Lake Pear Blossom Festival | / |
| June 25 of Lunar Calendar | Torch Festival | Yi |
| December 20 | Kuoshi Festival | Lisu |
Activities in Dali
As a popular destination for visitors, Dali offers all kinds of recreational activities. You can always find the activities full of fun, which can kick back and indulge yourself in the happy atmosphere. Come to Dali, and take part in Dali Activities.
| Date | Activity | Location |
| Every Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m | Shaping Monday Market in Dali | Dali City |
| Every Friday | Shaxi Friday Market | Jianchuan County, Dali |
| January 25 | Dali International Orchid and Camellia Fair | Dali City |
| January 9 of Lunar Calendar | Dragon Lantern (Longdenghui) Festival | Nanjian County, Dali |
| February 15 of Lunar Calendar | Sanying Agricultural Products Exchange Fair | Eryuan County, Dali |
| February 19 of Lunar Calendar | Guanyin Temple Fiar | Dali City |
| March 3 of Lunar Calendar | Xiaojizu Singing Festival | Dali City |
| March 20 of Lunar Calendar | Lingbaoshan Mountain Pilgrimage | Nanjian County, Dali |
| May of Lunar Calendar | Transplanting Rice Competition | Eryuan County, Dali |
| July 3 of Lunar Calendar | Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Assembly | Jianchuan County, Dali |
| August | Mule and Horse Trade Fair (August Fair) | Jianchuan County, Dali |
| August 15-21 of Lunar Calendar | Bajie Agricultural Products Exchange Fair | Eryuan County, Dali |
Dali Minority Festival Tours
- 5 Days Wa Ethnic Minority’s New Rice Festival Tour
- 6 Days Kunming and Chuxiong Torch Festival Celebration Tour
- 17 Days Yunnan Ethnic Minorities Festivals Tour around Chinese New Year
Keep Reading
- Baoshan Festivals and Activities
- Chuxiong Festivals and Activities
- Kunming Festivals and Activities
- Dehong Festivals and Activities
- Diqing Festivals and Activities
- Honghe Festivals and Activities
- Lijiang Festivals and Activities
- Lincang Festivals and Activities
- Nujiang Festivals and Activities
- Pu'er Festivals and Activities
- Qujing Festivals and Activities
- Wenshan Festivals and Activities
- Xishuangbanna Festivals and Activities
- Yuxi Festivals and Activities
- Zhaotong Festivals and Activities
Red Bayberry Festival in Nanjian County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理南涧县杨梅会 English Name: Red Bayberry Festival in Nanjian County, Dali...
Caishen Temple Fair in Dali Ancient Town
Chinese Name:大理古城财神会 English Name: Caishen Temple Fair in Dali Ancient Town Caishen means The God of Wealth. http://blog.sina.com.cn/s/blog_eddd8ab80102v2ib.html...
Xiaojizu Singing Festival in Dali City
Chinese Name:大理苍山小鸡足歌会/三月三朝山会 English Name: Xiaojizu Singing Festival in Dali City Location:大理市湾桥镇南面的保和寺 http://www.taoyuan.co/gonglue/xjzgh.html...
Guanyin Temple Fiar in Dali City
Chinese Name:大理镇观音塘会 English Name: Guanyin Temple Fiar in Dali City http://yn.news.163.com/15/0409/10/AMOK8IH103230LLH.html...
Flower Festival (Huazhaojie) in Dali Ancient town
Chinese Name:大理古城花朝节 English Name: Flower Festival (Huazhaojie) in Dali Ancient Town 花朝节是纪念百花的生日，简称花朝，俗称“花神节”、“百花生日”、“花神生日”、“挑菜节”，汉族传统节日，流行于东北、华北、华东、中南等地，一般于农历二月初二、二月十二或二月十五举行。节日期间，人们结伴到郊外游览赏花，称为“踏青”，姑娘们剪五色彩纸粘在花枝上，称为“赏红”。 花朝节由来已久，最早在春秋的《陶朱公书》中已有记载。花朝节与中秋节相对应。据《广群芳谱·天时谱二》引《诚斋诗话》：“东京（今开封）二月十二曰花朝，为扑蝶会。 ”又引《翰墨记》：“洛阳风俗，以二月二日为花朝节。士庶游玩，又为挑菜节。” 可见花朝节日期还因地而异。到清代，一般北方以二月十五为花朝，而南方则以二月十二为百花生日。我国南北气候条件不同，南方比北方提早几天为节日是合理的。 3-6月是大理最美的时候，没有之一。都说大理三月好风光，此言不假。虽然大理总是有鲜花盛开，但是春季里花无疑是最多最旺盛的。没错，是旺盛，当你看到那些花儿争奇斗艳的开放的时候，就会相信它们的生命是如此的旺盛。而这旺盛，也传染给了大理，让大理更加的鲜活。 http://travel.enorth.com.cn/system/2015/04/03/030135851.shtml...
Jiejingu Festival in Weishan County, Dali
Chinese Name:大理巍山县接金姑 English Name: Jiejingu Festival in Weishan County, Dali 二月初九至四月廿三大理、巍山（喜洲圣源寺、大理城隍庙、七五村、大仓垅圩山天摩牙寺）二月初九日，庆洞圣源寺出发接金姑（无活动，自行相约出发）；十一日到达大仓垅圩山天摩牙寺金姑庙；十四日至三台坡下的七五村；后回圣源寺；四月二十三“绕三灵”时送金姑到大理城隍庙；最后送回天摩牙寺. https://www.douban.com/note/204297299/?type=collect http://news.cntv.cn/20120321/120655.shtml...
Tianzi Temple Fair in Heqing County, Dali
Chinese Name:鹤庆县天子庙会 English Name: Tianzi Temple Fair in Heqing County, Dali Tianzi Temple Fair is held in Tianzimiao Cave in Heqing County every year....
Benzhu Worship Festival in Wase Village of Wase Town, Dali
Chinese Name:大理市挖色镇挖色村本主节 English Name: Benzhu Worship Festival in Wase Village of Wase Town, Dali...
Benzhu Worship and Knife-ladder-climbing Festival in Qingshan Village of Shuanglang Town, Dali
Chinese Name: 大理双廊镇青山村本主节(上刀山/刀山会) English Name: Benzhu Worship and Knife-ladder-climbing Festival in Qingshan Village of Shuanglang Town, Dali 1 大理白族本主节 (六) 青山村“上刀山” 本主是大理地区白族特有的宗教信仰，是大理历史文化的重要组成部分。 本主意即“本境福主”，是一个村或几个村的保护神。信奉的本主名目繁多，形形色色，有传说中的神，也有历代的帝王、忠臣、英雄、义士、孝子、烈女节妇及少量的自然神等。每个村几乎都建有本主庙，庙内供奉着木雕或泥塑的本主像，每逢本村本主的诞辰，为祭祀本主的盛大节日，所以各村供奉的本主以及本主节的日期都不相同。村民不论升官发财、疾苦病痛、生儿育女都要去本主庙祈求保佑。 本主节有一套基本固定的程序、即请神，迎神、祭神、娱神，本主回归本主庙，历时一天或几天不等。伴之悦耳动听的洞经音乐和各种民间歌舞、戏剧表演及各村不同的特色，传承千年，形成了白族地区特有的本主文化。 我认为藏族信仰活佛，是活着的”佛”；白族信仰本主，是逝去的”主”，有异曲同工之处。 在大理白族地区一共有多少座本主庙？供奉着多少位本主？可能谁也说不清楚！ 本博将在《大理白族本主节》专辑中分别介绍各具特色的白族本主节。...
Benzhu Worship Festival in Xizhou Town, Dali
Chinese Name:大理市喜洲镇本主节 English Name: Benzhu Worship Festival in Jinhe Village of Xizhou Town, Dali Location: 大理市喜洲镇金河村/周城村...
Benzhu Worship Festival in Binchuan County, Dali
Chinese Name:宾川县鸡足山镇上沧村白族本主节 English Name: Benzhu Worship Festival in Binchuan County, Dali Location: Wocun Village (大营镇莴村) of Daying Town/Shangcang Village of Jizushan Town Benzhu Festival in Binchan County is held in Shangcang...
Binchuan Grape Cultural Tourism Festival in Dali
Chinese Name: 大理宾川葡萄旅游文化节 English Name: Binchuan Grape Cultural Tourism Festival in Dali...
