Deemed "the oriental carnival", the Torch Festival is celebrated by several ethnic minorities including the Yi, Bai, Naxi, Jinuo and Lahu etc. Enjoying a long history as an important festival of these minorities, the festival exhibits quite profound cultural connotations.

 

Although the origin of the festival is slightly different among these minorities, it takes place on lunar 24/25 June. Usually a wide variety of folk activities are organised for the festival, such as bull (buffalo) fighting, goat fighting, rooster fighting, horse racing, wrestling, beauty pageant, and singing and dancing etc.

 

In Yunnan Province, Kunming, Chuxiong, Dali, Yuxi, Wenshan, Puer, Honghe, Lijiang and Zhaotong are the major areas for the Torch Festival as they are inhabited by the Yi or Bai people. Here are the main places recommended to experience the festival.

 

Yunnan Nationalities Village (13 km from Kunming downtown)
Date: 1-9 August
Place: Kunming

A major park to experience the Torch Festival, Yunnan Nationalities Village is one of must-visit places in Kunming. During the festival in the park, the grand cultural show The Call of Plateau will be premiered.

 

Shilin County (90 km from Kunming downtown)
Shilin (normally known for the Stone Forest) is the most popular destination for the Yi ethnic Torch Festival around Kunming. During the Festival, Shilin will be highlighted by a large variety of cultural performances the schedule of which goes as below:

Gala Evening
Date: 20:00-22:00, 8 August
Place: Minzu Stadium, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Torch Carnival
Date: 20:00-23:30, 8 August
Place: Shuanglong Square, Ashima Tourist Town and the No.1 Yi Village, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Opening Ceremony and Fire-worshipping Ceremony
Date: 13:00-14:00, 8 August
Place: Stadium of Changhu Town, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Fire-making Ceremony Presided by Yi Ethnic Priests
Date: .09:00-10:00, 6 August
Place: Guishan Forest Park, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Bull Fighting
Date: 14:30-18:30, 8 August
Place: Stadium of Changhu Town, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Bull Fighting
Date: 6-8 August
Place: Yatai Bull-fighting Arena, Guishan Town, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Bull Fighting
Date: 7-9 August
Place: No.1 Yi Village, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Wrestling
Date: 14:00-18:00, 9 August
Place: Stadium of Changhu Town, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Wrestling (Women)
Date: 13:30-18:30, 8 August
Place: Xijiekou Town, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Dancing and Singing Show/ Competition
Date: 14:00-18:00, 6-7August; 20:00-22:00, 6 August
Place: Minzu Stadium, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Dancing and Singing Show
Date: 14:00-16:00, 6 August
Place: Shuanglong Square, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Folk Songs Singing Competition
Date: 14:00-18:30, 8 August
Place: Changhu Lake Scenic Area, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Yunnan State-level Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition/Show
Date: 7-8 August
Place: Visitors Centre of the Stone Forest, Shilin County, Kunming

 

Show of Traditional Wedding Ceremony and Sani Ethnic Opera
Date: 5 August
Place: Danuohei Village, Guishan Town, Shilin County, Kunming

 

In addition, visitors can go to the Xinglin Park which will be highlighted by the exhibition of medicinal food culture, bonfire parties, horse racing, and  the 2nd “Shilin Cup” CS Tournament joined by players from Yunnan, Chongqing, Guizhou and Sichuan.

 

Transport
Bus ride from Kunming Northeast Bus Station to Shilin County

 

Yi People's Ancient Town, Chuxiong (155 km form Kunming)
Date: 7-16 August
Place: the entire prefecture of Chuxiong, and the ancient town is the best 

Chuxiong in Central Yunnan is the largest Yi-inhabited area in Yunnan Province, with its capital town being Chuxiong city which is about 150 km from Kunming. The Yi people account for nearly 30% of the total of that of Chuxiong Prefecture. Constructed in the 2000s though, the Yi People's Ancient Town is home to a great number of cultural sites which include the Solar Calendar Park and Chuxiong Prefectural Museum etc. What is worth mentioning is that the Left-foot Dance of Chuxiong's Yi people is unique in China. 

 

Transport
Bus ride from Kunming West Bus Station

 

Dali (335 km from Kunming)
Date: 9 August
Place recommended: Dali Old Town, Weishan County, and Xizhou Town, Zhoucheng Village, Jianchuan County, Nanjian County, Heqing County, Binchuan County etc.

Different from the Yi people, the Bai ethnic Torch Festival takes place one day later, i.e. on 25 lunar June. Originating from the historical story the Burning-down of Pinewood Pavilion during the Nanzhao Kingdom Period, the Bai ethnic Torch Festival is said to be in memory of Ms Bai Jie who was the wife of the Dengdang Tribal chieftan m