Fishing Festival and Plateau Aquatic Products Fair in Jiangchuan District, Yuxi
Chinese Name:江川区开渔节
English Name: The Fishing Festival and Plateau Aquatic Products Fair in Jiangchuan District, Yuxi
Jiangchuan Fishing Festival, officially recognized as a national model fishery cultural festival by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2017, marked its first national-level honor, becoming one of the first 25 national model fishery cultural festivals. The festival was established as the “Yunnan Plateau Lake Aquatic Product Trading Center” by the Yunnan Provincial Department of Commerce in 2005.
Festival Overview
- Local Name: 开渔节 (Kaiyu Festival)
- Popular Name: 开海 (Opening the Sea)
- Location: Jiangchuan, Yunnan Province, China
Festival Activities
- Festival Tradition:
- Opening Day: On the day the lake opens, fishermen go out to catch fish. Locals purchase fish and enjoy them, often hosting friends and family, making the event lively and festive with visitors coming from afar to witness the “thousand boats racing” and “thousands of people fishing” scenes.
- Pre-2005: Before 2005, the festival’s timing was inconsistent, leading to missed opportunities for many tourists and food enthusiasts.
- Post-2005 Developments:
- From December 25, 2005, the festival has been held at a fixed time and location, integrating various cultural elements such as plateau water town culture, ancient bronze culture of Yunnan, fishery culture, and culinary culture into a series of activities. The festival now features leisure, entertainment, and experiential events, promoting the integration of the fishery industry and boosting tourism and cultural industries in Jiangchuan.
Recent Developments
- Recognition:
- The Jiangchuan Fishing Festival has gained significant recognition, receiving the “Top Ten County Festivals in China” title and the “Most Worthy of Recommendation County for Plateau Lake Aquatic Products” plaque from various embassies in China in 2009.
- The festival has also received the title of “National Model Fishery Cultural Festival” and is celebrated annually on December 25th.
- Recent Changes:
- From 2020 to 2022, fishing at Xingyun Lake was suspended to protect fishery resources. Starting in 2023, the government has modified fishing practices to conserve resources and manage Xingyun Lake effectively.
2023 Festival
- Theme: “Fish Bright Stars • Beautiful Jiangchuan”
- Dates: December 25, 2023, to January 10, 2024
- Activities:
- Large Net Fishing: Showcase of traditional fishing methods.
- Fresh Fish Exhibition and Sale: Selling of fresh fish from Xingyun Lake.
- Fireworks Display: Celebrating the festival with fireworks.
- Lake Walking Tour: Scenic walking around the lake.
- Specialty Cooking: Demonstrations and tastings of local cuisine.
- Leisure Fishing: Recreational fishing activities.
Cultural Significance
- Cultural Integration: The festival combines the rich cultural heritage of Yunnan, including plateau water town culture, ancient bronze culture, fishery culture, and food culture.
- Economic Impact: The festival aids in increasing the income of local fishermen, promoting the development of Jiangchuan’s tourism industry, and improving local financial revenues.
- Safety and Environmental Management: The festival has shifted from a traditional month-long fishing period, which caused congestion and environmental concerns, to a more regulated and safer approach with limited fishing activities to mitigate risks and enhance ecological management.
The Jiangchuan Fishing Festival, with its vibrant cultural activities and environmental stewardship, remains a significant cultural event, attracting visitors and promoting the rich traditions of Yunnan.
