Mule and Horse Trade Fair (July Fair) in Lijiang

The “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）is held on Jiahe Road (嘉和路) in the city center of Lijiang (丽江). Lijiang (丽江) is located in the northwestern part of Yunnan Province (云南省西北部), at the junction of Yunnan (云南), Sichuan (四川), and Tibet (西藏). It was an important route of the ancient “Southern Silk Road” (南方丝绸之路) and the “Tea Horse Road” (茶马古道). The terrain here is complex, with the magnificent Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山) to the north and the vast Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau (云贵高原) to the south. The mountains and rivers crisscross, creating a breathtaking landscape. The Lijiang Ancient Town (丽江古城), a World Cultural Heritage site (世界文化遗产), is famous for its unique Naxi architecture (纳西族建筑风格) and rich ethnic风情. The venue of the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）is situated in the heart of this charming city, with convenient transportation and complete surrounding facilities, making it easy for tourists to join this grand festival.

The “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）, also known as the “July Mule and Horse Fair” (七月骡马会), is an important traditional festival of the Naxi people (纳西族) with a long history. Its origin can be traced back to the first year of the Republic of China (民国元年). Initially, it was mainly a fair for trading large livestock such as mules and horses. In the past, the production and life of the Naxi people (纳西族人民) were closely related to mules and horses, which were not only important means of transportation but also indispensable helpers in agricultural production and transportation. Over time, the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）has gradually evolved into a comprehensive event that integrates material exchange, cultural display, and entertainment. Although the scale and influence of mule and horse trading have declined, the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）still maintains strong vitality. It has become an important platform for the Naxi people (纳西族人民) to inherit their national culture, enhance ethnic unity, and promote economic exchange. During the fair, you can deeply feel the Naxi people’s adherence to tradition and their love for life, and appreciate the profound cultural heritage of this ancient nation.

Despite the development of modern transportation, the tradition of mule and horse trading is still preserved at the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）. In the venue, the mules and horses are strong and have shiny coats. The traders negotiate the prices through unique gestures and ways. In addition to mules and horses, there are also transactions of traditional agricultural tools and handicrafts. During the trading process, the Naxi people (纳西族人民) adhere to the principle of honesty and follow the ancient trading rules. This traditional way of trading is not only a means of economic exchange but also a way of inheriting national culture.

During the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）, ethnic music and dance performances are a major highlight. From morning to night, the artistic troupes perform continuously on the stage. Traditional Naxi dances such as Re Mei Cuo (热美蹉) and A Li Li (阿哩哩) are performed by dancers in colorful national costumes. Their movements are passionate and vigorous, showing the bold character of the Naxi people (纳西族人民). Re Mei Cuo (热美蹉) is one of the oldest songs and dances of the Naxi people (纳西族). It is a mixed singing and dancing performance of men and women without any musical accompaniment. The primitive and simple singing and dancing seem to take people back to ancient times. A Li Li (阿哩哩), with its cheerful rhythm, attracts many tourists and local people to join in and dance together.

The traditional costumes of the Naxi people (纳西族) are very distinctive. At the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）, you can see Naxi men, women, and children wearing exquisite costumes. The costumes of Naxi women are usually in blue, white, black, and other colors. The tops are mostly right-side collared long sleeves with delicate patterns embroidered on the collar, cuffs, and lapels. They wear a round “Seven-Star Sheepskin Cape” (七星羊皮披肩) on their heads. The cape symbolizes “wearing stars and the moon” (披星戴月), representing the diligence and resilience of Naxi women (纳西族妇女). The costumes of Naxi men are relatively simple, with jackets and long trousers, and they wear headwraps. These traditional costumes are not only symbols of national identity but also a reflection of the Naxi people’s exquisite embroidery skills and unique aesthetic concepts.

Lijiang (丽江) has a low-latitude warm temperate plateau monsoon climate. The “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）is held from August 16th to 30th, which is summer in Lijiang (丽江). The weather is relatively warm during this time, with an average temperature between 18℃ and 25℃. However, there is a large temperature difference between day and night, and you may need to add a coat in the morning and evening. At the same time, summer is also the rainy season in Lijiang (丽江), with more rainfall. Remember to bring rain gear when traveling. However, after the rain, the air in Lijiang (丽江) is especially fresh, and the mountains and waters are more beautiful, which has its own charm.

The whole period of the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）is suitable for sightseeing. In the first few days of the fair, all kinds of activities have just begun, and the venue is full of freshness and vitality, with high enthusiasm among people. In the middle of the fair, the trading activities reach a climax, with a wide variety of special commodities and more wonderful ethnic music and dance performances. In the last few days of the fair, although the activities are coming to an end, you can still feel the strong festive atmosphere. Moreover, there are fewer tourists at this time, and you can more calmly appreciate and experience the event. If you want to participate in the mule and horse trading, it is recommended to go in the first week of the fair, when there are the most kinds and numbers of mules and horses.

By air: Lijiang Sanyi International Airport (丽江三义国际机场) is about 28 kilometers away from the urban area and is the main air route in and out of Lijiang (丽江). The airport has direct flights to many cities in China, such as Beijing (北京), Shanghai (上海), Guangzhou (广州), Shenzhen (深圳), Chengdu (成都), Kunming (昆明), etc. From the airport to the urban area, you can choose to take the airport bus, which has several routes that can go directly to different parts of the city. The ticket price is generally between 20 and 30 yuan. You can also take a taxi, which costs about 80 to 100 yuan.

By train: Lijiang Station (丽江站) has trains to and from Kunming (昆明), Dali (大理), and other places. The train journey from Kunming (昆明) to Lijiang (丽江) takes about 4 to 5 hours. After arriving at Lijiang Station (丽江站), you can take a bus to the urban area. There are many bus routes to choose from, and the ticket price is generally 1 to 2 yuan. You can also take a taxi, which costs about 30 to 50 yuan to the urban area.

By bus: The bus routes in Lijiang (丽江) are relatively well-developed. To get to the venue of the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）on Jiahe Road (嘉和路), you can check the relevant bus routes. The bus fare is generally 1 to 2 yuan. However, during the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”），the buses may be crowded due to the large number of people.

By taxi/ride-hailing car: Taking a taxi or ride-hailing car is more convenient for traveling within the city. The starting price for a taxi is generally 8 to 10 yuan, and the fare is calculated based on the distance and time. During the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”），it may be difficult to get a taxi, so it is recommended to book a ride-hailing car in advance.

By bike/e-bike: If the journey is short and you are interested in cycling, bikes and e-bikes are also good choices. There are many bike and e-bike drop-off points in Lijiang (丽江), which are easy to use and reasonably priced. However, pay attention to traffic safety and follow the traffic rules when riding.

Lijiang cured pork ribs (丽江腊排骨): This is a traditional dish of the Naxi people (纳西族). Select high-quality pork ribs, cure them, and then dry them. When cooking, stew the cured ribs with local potatoes, corms, carrots, and other ingredients. The salty aroma of the cured ribs and the sweetness of the vegetables blend together, creating a rich soup and tender meat with a unique flavor. You can taste this dish in many restaurants around the venue of the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）.

Naxi grilled fish (纳西烤鱼): Using fresh fish as the main ingredient, the fish is first grilled until the skin is golden and crispy, and then special sauce and various ingredients such as tofu, konjac, and bean sprouts are added. Put them into an iron pan for stewing. The grilled fish is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, with the aroma of the sauce fully penetrating the fish meat. It has a spicy and fresh taste that is unforgettable.

Chicken bean jelly (鸡豆凉粉): Chicken bean jelly is one of the special snacks in Lijiang (丽江). Chicken beans are a unique type of beans in Lijiang (丽江). The jelly made from them is black and has a smooth texture. Chicken bean jelly can be served cold, with soy sauce, vinegar, chili oil, Sichuan pepper oil, and garlic paste added. It has a sour and spicy taste. It can also be pan-fried. The fried jelly has a crispy skin and soft interior. When eaten with chili powder, it has a unique flavor.

Rice sausage (米灌肠): Mix glutinous rice and rice, add appropriate spices and pig’s blood, stuff them into pig’s intestines, and steam them until cooked. The rice sausage is soft and glutinous, with the fragrance of rice and meat blending together. It is nutritious. When eating, you can cut it into small pieces and dip it in sauce for a better taste.

Naxi cake (纳西粑粑): There are sweet and salty flavors. The sweet cake is filled with rose sugar, red bean paste, etc., with a crispy outer skin and sweet inner filling. The salty cake is made with scallions, ham, and other ingredients, with a salty and fragrant taste. Naxi cake is a traditional pastry loved by the Naxi people (纳西族人民). You can taste authentic Naxi cake at the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）.

Wild mushroom hot pot (野生菌火锅): Summer in Lijiang (丽江) is the season when wild mushrooms grow. During the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”），wild mushroom hot pot is a must-try delicacy. Various fresh wild mushrooms such as matsutake, boletus, and chicken fungus are gathered together and stewed with chicken or pork ribs. The soup is fresh and delicious, and it is nutritious. However, when eating wild mushrooms, make sure they are thoroughly cooked to avoid eating poisonous mushrooms.

Dongba paper (东巴纸): Dongba paper is a traditional handmade paper of the Naxi people (纳西族). It is made from the bark of the Daphne plant using an ancient process. The paper is strong, resistant to insect damage, and can be preserved for a long time. It usually has beautiful Dongba characters or patterns printed on it, which have high artistic and collection value. At the fair, there are many stalls selling Dongba paper products, such as notebooks, bookmarks, and postcards, which can be bought as souvenirs.

Naxi embroidery (纳西刺绣): Naxi embroidery has a long history, with delicate stitches and bright colors. The embroidery themes are extensive, including flowers and birds, figures, landscapes, etc. Each piece of work contains the cultural connotations and ethnic风情of the Naxi people (纳西族). You can buy some embroidered handkerchiefs, bags, and accessories, which are both practical and beautiful.

Wood carving crafts (木雕工艺品): Lijiang’s wood carving craftsmanship is exquisite. High-quality wood is selected to carve various lifelike patterns and shapes. There are many types of wood carving crafts, including pendants, ornaments, and furniture, which have both practical and ornamental value. They are good choices for personal collection or gifts for relatives and friends.

Lijiang snow peach (丽江雪桃): Lijiang snow peach grows in the high-altitude mountainous areas. The fruit is large, brightly colored, and has a crisp and sweet taste. It is rich in nutrition. During the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”），it is the season when snow peaches are ripe. You can buy some to taste or bring them home as gifts.

Maca (玛卡): Maca is a plant that grows in the plateau area of Lijiang (丽江) and is rich in nutritional value. Maca can be made into maca slices, maca wine, and other products, which have the effects of anti-fatigue and regulating endocrine. You can buy authentic Lijiang maca products in the specialty stores around the venue.

Pu’er tea (普洱茶): Yunnan (云南) is the hometown of Pu’er tea, and Lijiang (丽江) also has many high-quality Pu’er teas. Pu’er tea has the effects of reducing fat, aiding digestion, and antioxidant. At the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”），you can taste different types of Pu’er tea and buy some that you like.

There are many inns with unique characteristics in the Lijiang Ancient Town (丽江古城). Most of these inns retain the traditional architectural style of the Naxi people (纳西族), and the interior decoration is full of ethnic风情. Staying in an ancient town inn allows you to conveniently experience the charm of the ancient town and feel the life atmosphere of the Naxi people (纳西族). During the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”），the inns in the ancient town may be very popular, so it is recommended to book in advance. The price varies according to the class and location of the inn, generally ranging from 200 to 1000 yuan.

If you prefer modern accommodation facilities and more convenient transportation, you can choose to stay in a hotel in the urban area. There are hotels of various classes in the city, from budget hotels to high-end star hotels. The city hotels are close to the venue of the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”），making it easy to travel. The prices are relatively lower than those of the ancient town inns. The budget hotels cost about 100 to 300 yuan, while the star hotels cost about 500 to 1500 yuan.

In addition to ancient town inns and city hotels, Lijiang (丽江) also has many unique bed and breakfasts. For example, the ones located in Shuhe Ancient Town (束河古镇) have a quiet environment and a strong artistic atmosphere. Those at the foot of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain (玉龙雪山) allow you to enjoy the beautiful snow mountain scenery up close. These bed and breakfasts usually provide personalized services, with cozy and comfortable rooms. They are also good choices during the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”），but booking in advance is recommended. The prices vary according to the characteristics and locations of the bed and breakfasts, generally ranging from 300 to 1500 yuan.

Head to the venue of the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）on Jiahe Road (嘉和路). After arriving, take a walk around the venue to feel the lively festival atmosphere. Visit the mule and horse trading area to learn about the traditional trading methods and admire the strong mules and horses. Browse the various special commodity stalls and pick out the ethnic handicrafts and special agricultural products that you like. Watch the ethnic music and dance performances by the artistic troupes to experience the unique charm of Naxi culture.

Enjoy Naxi traditional dishes such as Lijiang cured pork ribs (丽江腊排骨), Naxi grilled fish (纳西烤鱼), and chicken bean jelly (鸡豆凉粉) in the restaurants around the venue. Savor the local special flavors to your heart’s content.

Continue to explore the venue. Participate in some interactive activities, such as dancing ethnic dances with the Naxi people. Go to the ethnic costume display area to admire the exquisite traditional costumes of the Naxi people. If you are interested, you can also rent a set of ethnic costumes to take photos as souvenirs. Visit the Naxi culture exhibition to gain a deeper understanding of the history, culture, and folklore of the Naxi people.

Have dinner at the venue and try other special snacks. Admire the night view of the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）。The venue is brightly lit at night, presenting a different kind of beauty. Continue to watch the ethnic music and dance performances and join the bonfire party. Dance and sing with everyone to spend a joyful evening. End the day’s journey and return to your accommodation to rest.

During the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”），respect the customs of the Naxi people (纳西族), protect the environment, and travel civilly. I hope this guide can help you have an unforgettable time during the “July Fair” (纳西族 “七月会”）and fully appreciate the unique charm of the Naxi people (纳西族).