Lincang Festivals and Events

Lincang Festivals and Activities include a brief introduction of main festivals and activities in Lincang City, and tell travelers what to do during Lincang Festivals Tours. As the main minority inhabited in Lincang, Wa, Lahu, Bulang and other ethnic groups created brilliant culture and customs, among which the unique ethnic festivals and activities of Wa enjoy high reputation and attract a crowd of tourists.

Festivals in Lincang

Besides some Chinese traditional festivals, like New Year's Day (January 1), Spring Festival (usually in late Jan. or early Feb.; January 25, 2020), Lantern Festival (The 15th day of the 1st lunar month), Tomb Sweeping Day (15 days after the Spring equinox; April 4, 2020), Dragon Boat Festival(The 5th day of the 5th lunar month; June 25, 2020) and Mid-Autumn Day (The 15th day of the 8th lunar month; September 13, 2019), there are some ethnic festivals of Wa, Bulang, Dai, Deang and Yi ethnic minorities in Lincang. 

Ethnic Festivals of Wa Minority

Date Festivals Location
May 1-4 Monihei Carnival Cangyuan County
May 20-21 Qingmiao Festival Gengma County
April 10-12 Wooden Drum Festival Cangyuan County
During Spring Festival Spring Festival (Xinshuijie) Lincang
In Middle April Gongxiang (Elephant Worship) Festival Banlao Township of Gengma County
In March Sowing Seeds Festival Cangyuan County
On August 14 New Rice Festival Cangyuan County

Ethnic Festivals of Bulang Minority

Date Festivals Location
April 13-15 Hounan Festival In the Bulang ethnic community of Lincang
In August New Rice (Xinmi) Festival Shuangjiang County
In Lunar November/December Pig-Killing Festival (Nianzhufan) In the Bulang ethnic community of Lincang
April 13-17 Worship of Tea Ancestor Festival In the Bulang ethnic community of Lincang
From the middle of 6th lunar month to 9th lunar month Guanmen (Closing Door) Festival In the Bulang ethnic community of Lincang

Ethnic Festivals of Dai Minority

Date Festivals Location
In January Songlong (Dragon Worship) Festival Gengma County, Shuangjiang County
In the Middle of 6th Lunar Month Guanmen (Closing Door) Festival Gengma County, Shuangjiang County
In the Middle April, lasting 3-7 days Water Splashing Festival In the Dai ethnic community of Lincang

Ethnic Festivals of Deang Minority

Date Festivals Location
In the 15th day of the 1st lunar month Shaobaichai (Firewood) Festival In the Deang ethnic community of Lincang
In the 2nd lunar month/3rd lunar month Zuobai Festival In the Deang ethnic community of Lincang
In the 9th lunar month Kaimen Festival In the Deang ethnic community of Lincang
In the middle of the 6th lunar month, lasting 3 months Guanmen Festival In the Deang ethnic community of Lincang

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Activities in Lincang

There are activities in Lincang taking black tea, mango, Lancangjiang beer and other local specialties and ethnic features as themes. 

Activities Location Notes
Fengqing Summer Trade Fair Fengqing County In June; Commodity transaction; Cultural exchange
China Lincang (Fengqing) Black Tea Festival Fengqing County In middle October; Black Tea, Commodity transaction
Mango Cultural Tourism Festival Yongde County On July 13rd; Mango and tourism
Lancangjiang Beer Carnival Yunxian County On the 15th day of the 1st lunar month; Lancangjiang Beer

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Lincang Festival Tours

Cangyuan Monihei Carnival Tour

“Monihei Carnival” (making you black) is a mud smearing carnival of the Wa ethnic group. It is originated from the folk custom that people smear the pot ash, ox blood and mud on their faces to frighten the evils and seek peace. The Monihei Carnival is held in late April or early May(usually April 29-May 1) each year in Cangyuan County, one of the only two Chinese Wa autonomous Counties in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. During Monihei Carnival, you can not only experience the joyful atmosphere which is full of ethnic features, but also appreciate the various natural and human scenery in Cangyuan. With pleasant weather, you can walk in the famous cliff painting valley and have a visit to Wending Village to discover the unique, extensive and profound culture of Wa minority.

New Rice Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority

New Rice Festival is one of the traditional festivals of the Wa ethnic minority. In the past, it used to be celebrated when the rice was ripe for harvest, and would last three days. During the festival, ladies would collect some rice from farmlands; dry and then husk them. Early next morning, the doors of the house would be closed to reject visitors and animals, and all the family members would stay at home enjoying the newly-harvested rice when eating, any waste wouldn’t be allowed. After the family finished, they would open the door and invite neighbors to enjoy the rice together.

In 1992, the local government of Menglian Dai, Lahu and Wa Autonomous County determined the festival as a mandatory holiday for the Wa and Lahu minorities, and the date has been confirmed during lunar August 13-15.

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