Nujiang Festivals and Events

Festivals and activities in Nujiang take an important part in Nujiang travel. Discovering traditional ethnic festivals and activities is an important part of Yunnan travel. As the major minorities inhabited in Nujiang, Lishu, Dulong and Nu formed their distinctive ethnic culture which is also revealed in their ethnic festivals. Here are some major festivals and activities of Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture. They can help you learn more about local ethnic culture.

Festivals in Nujiang

Besides some Chinese traditional festivals, such as 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 in Nujiang prefecture as well.

Kaquewa Festival(New Year Festival) of Dulong People 卡雀哇节

Kaquewa Festival is the only New Year Festival of Dulong people. It is held during the 11th and 12th lunar months, there is no fixed date and the festivals lasts 3-5 days. Every family hangs up the colored tapestry as festival decoration on the first day. They honor the mountain god and hold shooting competition. On the last day, they hold the most exciting activity- cattle butchering for sacrifice. They keep drinking, singing and dancing until they enjoy themselves to their hearts’ content.

Kuoshi Festival(New Year Festival) of Lisu People 阔时节

The Kuoshi Festival, also the Lisu New Year, is the biggest festival among the Lisu people. Different regions celebrate the festival at different times. Generally, the festival lasts from the 5th day of the 12th lunar month to the 10th day of the 1st lunar month, a period the Lisu people call ‘the Month of Celebration’. During the festival, religious activities of offering sacrifices will be carried out and such amusements as crossbow, dancing, pole climbing and antiphonal-style singing will also be held.

Zaotanghui(Bathing) Festival of Lisu People 澡堂会

The Bathing Gathering, also called ‘Tangquanhui’ 汤泉会, is a yearly bathing gathering held in spring among the Lisu people living in Nujiang. In the period from 2nd to 6th day of the 1st lunar month, the Lisu people will carry with them luggage and food, and go to the hot springs called ‘the 16 Hot Springs in the Valley’ to have a bath for getting rid of a year’s pains and misfortunes. In this spring bathing period, song competitions are also held.

Festival of Climbing Sword-poles (Daogan Festival) of Lisu People刀杆节

It is one of the traditional festivals among the Lisu people, in memory of Wang Ji 王骥, a Defense Minister in the Ming Dynasty. The story goes that during the time when Wang Ji was an officer in command to garrison the frontiers, he and his soldiers fought bravely, daring to climb a mountain of swords and plung into a sea of flames. His courage was highly respected and the date of his death, the 8th of August on the Chinese lunar Calendar, was named the The Festival f Climbing Sword-poles. On that day, the Lisu people hold such activities as climbing sword-poles and plunging into a sea of flames to show their bravery.

Flower Festival of Nu People 鲜花节

It is Nu people’s traditional festival held on the 15th day of the 3rd lunar month when all the mountains are covered with blossomed azaleas. It is said that these azaleas bloom to memorize the beautiful girl called Arong who invented the gilding ropes. There are various interesting recreational activities and market for commodity exchange arranged during the festival.

Table of Ethnic Festivals in Nujiang 

Read More:

• Sowing Seeds Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority
• New Rice Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Qingmiao Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority
• Sanduo Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority
• Lantern Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority

Activities in Nujiang

Ethnic festivals in Nujiang offer various kinds of recreative activities. During the festivals, you can watch the folk dances and sacrificial ceremonies and listen to the folk songs. The most specific ones should be such activities as climbing sword-poles and butchering a cattle for sacrifice. You will experience the ethnic culture in Nujiang personally. 

Read More:

• Achi Mugua Dance of Lisu Ethnic Minority
• Waqiqi Dance of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Regional Festivals and Activities

• Lushui City Festivals and Activities
• Gongshan County Festivals and Activities
• Bingzhongluo Festivals and Activities
• Fugong County Festivals and Activities
• Lanping County Festivals and Activities
• Dulongjiang Festivals and Activities

Nujiang Festival Tours

Our Nujiang festival tour will guide you to experience the famous festivals in Nujiang, such as Daogan festival, Kuoshi festival and Harvest festival, to learn and know more about Nujiang culture. We have no specific route yet. But if you plan to start a Nujiang festival tour, please contact our travel consultants, and they will customize an itinerary for you.