Longpeng Town Wild Mushroom Festival in Shiping County, Honghe

Chinese Name:石屏县龙朋镇野生菌节
English Name: Wild Mushroom Festival in Shiping County, Honghe
Date: 6th August
Loaction: Longpeng Town, Shiping County, Honghe Prefecture

Longpeng is located in the north part of Shiping County; it is dubbed as the “Hometown of Huayao Yi Ethnic Yanhe Dance” and “Hometown of Wild Mushrooms”. The annual mushroom output of the town is as many as 3,000 tonnes, worth 120 million yuan (appr. $18.81 mn).

Wild Mushroom Festival in Shiping County, Honghe (石屏县野生菌节)

  • Date: 6 August
  • Location: Longpeng Town, Shiping County, Honghe Prefecture

Overview of Longpeng Town

Longpeng Town, situated in the northern part of Shiping County, is celebrated as the “Hometown of Huayao Yi Ethnic Yanhe Dance” and the “Hometown of Wild Mushrooms.” The town boasts an annual mushroom production of approximately 3,000 tonnes, generating an economic value of around 120 million yuan (approximately $18.81 million).

Wild Mushroom Festival and Cultural Events

The Wild Mushroom Festival in Shiping County coincides with the rainy season when mushrooms are abundant in Longpeng Town. This event is formally known as the “Shilin County Longpeng Wild Mushroom Cultural Tourism Festival and Gu Yushi·Hai Caiqiang·Yanhe Dance Ethnic Cultural Festival.” The festival is a significant cultural event in the region, drawing nearly ten thousand visitors who come to partake in the festivities.

The festival’s theme, “Song and Dance Homeland, Stone and Mushroom Fun,” encapsulates the cultural richness of Longpeng. It features various ethnic song and dance performances, including the mass Yanhe Dance involving thousands of participants. One of the festival’s highlights is the inaugural Gu Yushi Forum and charity auctions. Renowned performers such as Li Huaixiu, Li Huaifu, and groups from the Cultural Heritage Transmission Institute present traditional ethnic dances like Hai Caiqiang and Yanhe Dance, showcasing the deep cultural roots of the area.

Ethnic singers, including Zhe Jianzhou, Gao Hongzhang, and Shama Xuefeng, perform over ten traditional songs such as “Impression of Ailao,” “Dage,” and “Huayao Girl,” reflecting Longpeng’s vibrant ethnic culture and its long-standing agricultural heritage.

Festive Activities

During the festival, nearly a thousand local farmers from 12 representative teams, including those from Qingshuitang Village Committee and Liu Street Village Committee, dress in ethnic costumes and carry “Yanhe” instruments. Along the road from Longpeng Town’s airplane house to the government square, they play the Longtou four-string and perform the Yanhe Dance, creating a lively and festive atmosphere that spans nearly one kilometer. Tourists are encouraged to join in the celebrations, immersing themselves in the local culture.

Commercial and Cultural Showcase

In addition to cultural performances, Longpeng Town hosts various commercial activities during the festival. Merchants and traders from different regions set up a commercial street where they showcase and sell products such as wild mushrooms, local delicacies, and ethnic artifacts. This marketplace adds to the vibrant atmosphere of the festival, offering visitors a chance to experience and purchase unique local goods.