Sanyuesan (Huajie) Culture Festival of Zhuang Ethnic Minority in Shizong County, Qujing

The annual “Qianhua Festival” and “Sanyuesan” Folk Culture and Tourism Festival is a traditional celebration for the ethnic minorities of Shizong County. The Zhuang people, known for their singing and dancing, hold “Sanyuesan” as one of their most significant festivals, also referred to as the “Singing Fair.”

Festival Origins

“Sanyuesan” is the most beloved festival among young Zhuang men and women, where single youths often find their match during the celebrations. According to legend, the daughter of an old Zhuang singer was not only beautiful but also an excellent singer. The old man wished to find a son-in-law with outstanding singing talent. Young singers from all over gathered to compete in singing, hoping to win her hand. Over hundreds of years, this tradition evolved into the “Sanyuesan” festival we know today. Since 2001, Shizong County has officially designated the lunar “Sanyuesan” as the “Qianhua Festival” and “Sanyuesan” Folk Culture and Tourism Festival.

Festival Culture

During the annual “Qianhua Festival” and “Sanyuesan” Folk Culture and Tourism Festival, the Zhuang people gather to sing and dance, creating a spectacular scene with crowds as vast as the sea and songs echoing like waves. Tourists visiting Shizong can not only enjoy the rich displays of ethnic culture and vibrant song and dance performances but also explore Junzi Mountain to view the sea of azaleas or camp in the mountains. They can also visit Wulong Phoenix Valley, a Yunnan scenic spot themed around life culture, to experience the wonders of nature and immerse themselves in the pristine Zhuang culture and its ancient, genuine charm.

Festival Activities

The festival features a variety of ethnic and folk activities, including cultural exhibitions, a water-splashing carnival, Zhuang folk song competitions, bonfire parties, mountain worship, water worship, “Elder’s House” worship, bamboo rafting, daily 100-meter bamboo pole dances, and daily Zhuang feasts in the corridor, among others.

Yunnan Shizong “Sanyuesan” Folk Culture and Tourism Festival

Beneath the towering Nandan Mountain and beside the beautiful Wuluo River, the Zhuang people live in harmony with nature. At the Sanyuesan Square, tourists are treated to a rich opening ceremony. Performances such as “Encountering Shizong” and “Listening to He’er” showcase the vibrant culture of Shizong, while ethnic costume shows display the deep-rooted cultural pride. Songs like “Ashima” and “The River Flows” symbolize blessings for Shizong, offering tourists an unforgettable audio-visual feast.

To allow visitors to fully experience the authentic Zhuang culture and appreciate the splendid natural scenery of Wulong Zhuang Village, this year’s “Sanyuesan” Folk Culture and Tourism Festival features 13 key cultural and tourism activities.

Festival Highlights

At the Xina Square, the grand water-splashing carnival takes place in turns, where water guns, basins, and buckets are used as people from various ethnic groups and tourists splash water on each other, wishing each other good fortune. “I came all the way here for the festival. It’s my first time experiencing the Water-Splashing Festival, and the atmosphere is amazing. The people here are very friendly, and it’s a lot of fun,” said Wang Zhen from Zhaotong, beaming with excitement.

In Wulong, visitors can experience a variety of unique activities, including the “A Life Called Yunnan—First Yunnan Folk Song Festival,” passionate rock music, an exhilarating water-splashing battle, the magnificent bamboo pole dance, a lively bonfire night, a romantic bamboo rafting experience, a novel and delicious corridor-style Zhuang feast, an array of cultural and creative products, melodious Zhuang folk songs, and exciting ethnic sports competitions. Guests from all over can fully immerse themselves in the vibrant ethnic customs and lively atmosphere, experiencing the “A Life Called Shizong in Yunnan.”

“I came down early in the morning and saw many fun activities. I plan to explore for the next few days. It feels very lively,” said a delighted tourist, Ms. Hu.

Over the years, the distinctive “Sanyuesan” Folk Culture and Tourism Festival has been a shining brand for Shizong’s tourism culture and a vivid display of Shizong’s historical, natural, and ethnic culture. Encountering Shizong allows one to experience the unique charm of the “Hometown of Imperial Teachers” and the “Hometown of Couplets”; meeting in Wulong offers a taste of the gentle Zhuang culture, surrounded by green mountains and converging rivers. Celebrating “Sanyuesan” together brings the joy of “indulging in nature and experiencing rustic romance.” Whether it’s the vibrant sea of azaleas on Junzi Mountain, the solemn and majestic Nandan Mountain, the gentle and clear waters of the Wuluo River, or the simplicity and kindness of the ethnic minorities, all these elements showcase the special charm of Shizong, painting a beautiful picture with “mountain and water ecology” as the ink and “ethnic customs” as the brush.