Celestial Rhythms: A Seasonal Journey Through China’s Timeless Festival
China’s festivals, deeply interwoven with agrarian traditions, astronomical cycles, and ancestral reverence, offer a vivid lens into the nation’s 5,000-year-old civilization. Chinese celebrations harmonize Confucian ethics, Daoist cosmology, and folk symbolism—from the explosive red hues of Spring Festival to the moonlit serenity of Mid-Autumn. These events transcend mere merriment; they are living rituals where calligraphy brushes meet dumpling wrappers, and dragon dances chase away misfortune.
Spring (January–March)
Chinese New Year (January/February)
Marking the lunar year’s start, this 15 – day extravaganza pivots on ancestral worship and renewal. Families reunite for reunion dinne(nián yè fàn), feast on dumplings(jiǎozi) symbolizing wealth, and adorn doors with couplets brushed in gold ink. The climax is the Laba Festival (8th day of the 12th lunar month), where eight – grain porridge honors Buddhist traditions.
Lantern Festival (15th day of 1st lunar month)
Culminating the New Year, cities like Nanjing transform into seas of silk lanterns. Solve riddles inscribed on floating lights or watch the Green Lion(Cai Qing) dance in Foshan a 600 – year – old exorcism ritual.
Qingming Festival (April 4–6)
The “Tomb – Sweeping Day” blends grave tidying with spring revelry. In Hangzhou’s West Lake, willow branches sway as locals fly kites adorned with whistles to “send illnesses to the skies.”
Summer (May–August)
Dragon Boat Festival (5th day of 5th lunar month)
Commemorating poet Qu Yuan’s suicide, this event thrills with pearl – river regattas in Guangzhou. Savor sticky rice wrapped in bamboo(zòngzi) and hang herbal sachets(xiāng bāo) to repel pests.
Double Seventh Festival (7th day of 7th lunar month)
China’s answer to Valentine’s Day sees Hangzhou’s Xixi Wetland couples float needle – threading competitions—a nod to Weaver Girl’s embroidery skills from the Cowherd myth.
Ghost Festival (15th day of 7th lunar month)
Burning joss paper “hell money” along the Minjiang River in Fujian, this Taoist – Buddhist hybrid appeases wandering spirits.
Autumn (September–November)
Mid – Autumn Festival (15th day of 8th lunar month)
Mooncakes stamped with “longevity” characters take center stage. In Pingyao Ancient City, witness the Daiyue ceremony where women offer melons to the Moon Goddess Chang’e.
Chongyang Festival (9th day of 9th lunar month)
Escaping the “double yang” hex, elders hike Tai Shan with chrysanthemum wine. Modern iterations include Shanghai’s Senior’s Day concerts at Yu Garden.
Winter (December–February)
Dongzhi Festival (December 21–23)
The winter solstice brings lamb hotpot feasts in Beijing’s hutongs and fermented rice dumplings (jiu niang tang yuan) in Suzhou’s canal side teahouses.
Labajie (8th day of 12th lunar month)
Monks at Shaolin Temple serve 18 – ingredient porridge, while Xi’an’s Muslim Quarter simmers cumin – spiced garlic pickled in vinegar.
Comprehensive Overview of Traditional Celebrations Across Chinese Ethnic Communities
Lunar Calendar
Time: The first day of the first lunar month; traditionally celebrated from the “Minor New Year” (23rd day of the 12th lunar month) to the Lantern Festival (15th day of the first lunar month).
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Han Chinese, as well as ethnic groups including Mongol, Zhuang, Buyi, Korean, Manchu, Dong, Yao, Bai, Li, She, Naxi, Gelao, Yugur, and Jing. Celebrated widely across Han – inhabited regions and ethnic autonomous areas.
What to Do:
– Paying New Year visits;
– Ancestor worship;
– Lighting firecrackers;
– Posting Spring Festival couplets;
– Eating “yuanbao” soup (dumpling soup symbolizing wealth);
– Enjoying glutinous rice cakes and dumplings;
– Festive banquets with wine;
– Cultural performances: dragon and lion dances, yangko dancing, stilt-walking, and lantern displays.
Time: 15th day of the first lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Han Chinese and other ethnic groups across China; particularly in regions like Luofang, Beituan, and Gechuan in western Fujian Province.
What to Do:
Lantern-related customs: Hanging, admiring, and playing with lanterns.
Traditional foods: Eating *yuanxiao* (sweet glutinous rice balls).
Cultural games: Solving riddles written on lanterns (*cai dengmi*).
Health rituals: “Walking away ailments” (*zou baibing*), a tradition to pray for good health.
Performances: Yangko dances, lion dances, and dragon dances.
Regional highlights: In western Fujian (e.g., Luofang, Beituan, Gechuan), the “Ancient Procession Ritual” (*zou gushi*) is held, featuring vibrant parades with costumed performers reenacting historical or mythological scenes.
Time: Between January and February in the lunar calendar (around February 4 in the Gregorian calendar), sometimes occurring before the first lunar month.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Han Chinese communities, Dong ethnic group, Bai ethnic group
What to Do:
– Official rituals: Welcoming spring ceremonies, worship of the God of Agriculture (Mang Shen), symbolic whipping of spring cattle (“whipping spring”), and ceremonial plowing of fields.
– Folk customs: Bathing silkworm eggs (to ensure healthy growth), the ritual of “burning away spring” (to dispel negative energy), enjoying spring tea, and performing dances with spring cattle models to pray for a fruitful year.
Time: The 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Primarily celebrated by Han Chinese and some ethnic minority groups in northern China and certain southern regions.
What to Do:
Picking wild vegetables: Gathering edible wild greens as a symbol of spring harvest.
Spring outings: Enjoying outdoor activities to welcome the season.
Crafting dragon-tail ornaments: Making colorful cloth or straw dragon-tail decorations for children.
Spreading ash around homes: Drawing protective ash circles around houses to ward off pests and evil spirits.
Creating “daughter’s granaries”: Using ash patterns to symbolize prosperity and blessings for daughters.
Predicting the year’s harvest: Folk rituals to forecast agricultural fortunes.
Culinary traditions:
– Making pancakes and stir-fried scorpion beans for good luck.
– Eating “dragon whisker noodles”, symbolizing longevity and health.
Drawing dragon patterns with ash: Invoking the dragon’s power to ensure rain and abundance.
Time: 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Predominantly celebrated by the Han Chinese and Korean ethnic communities in their respective regions.
What to Do:
Spring outings and exploring spring scenery.
Floating wine cups along a winding stream while composing poetry (or praying for offspring).
Eating *Qingjing rice* (a traditional blue – colored glutinous rice dish).
Hosting folk singing gatherings or festive song competitions.
Time: Celebrated on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month, the 2nd day of the 2nd lunar month, or occasionally on the 12th or 15th day of the 2nd lunar month.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Primarily observed by the Han Chinese, as well as ethnic minority groups such as the Zhuang and Bai, across their respective regions in China.
What to Do:
Flower appreciation, planting flowers, spring outings, tree planting, and eating green rice dumplings (*qingtuan*).
Willow shooting (a traditional archery game), tug – of – war, kite flying, and swinging on traditional swings.
Time: 8th day of the fourth lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Han Chinese communities and some ethnic minority regions in China
What to Do:
Bathing the Buddha statues: A ritual to cleanse Buddha statues with fragrant water, symbolizing purification and renewal.
Releasing captive animals: Practiced to cultivate compassion and respect for life.
Eating black glutinous rice (wu fan): A tradition of preparing and sharing sweetened black rice, dyed with plant leaves, as an offering and festive food.
Time: The 5th day of the 5th month in the lunar calendar.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Celebrated by the Han Chinese and ethnic minority groups including Mongol, Hui, Tibetan, Miao, Yi, Zhuang, Bouyei, Korean, Dong, Yao, Bai, Tujia, Hani, She, Lahu, Sui, Naxi, Daur, Mulao, Qiang, Maonan, Gelao, Xibe, Pumi, Ewenki, Yugur, and Oroqen, across their respective regions in China.
What to Do:
Dragon boat racing
Hanging scented sachets
Wearing aromatic pouches
Displaying calamus leaves
Herb competitions (ritual plant battles)
Medicinal herb gathering
Eating zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) and traditional rice cakes
Drinking realgar wine
Time: 6th day of the 6th lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Han Chinese, and ethnic minority regions including Miao, Zhuang, Bouyei, Dong, Yao, Tujia, Shui, and Gelao communities.
What to Do:
Sun-drying books and religious scriptures
Airing clothes and textiles
Washing and rinsing hair (believed to ward off misfortune)
Bathing cats and dogs (for health and cleanliness)
Rituals to eliminate pests and ensure household prosperity
Time: 7th day of the 7th lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Han Chinese regions and ethnic minority areas such as Korean and Bai communities (primarily in China and neighboring regions)
What to Do:
Qiqiao (Pleading for Dexterity): Girls pray for weaving and craftsmanship skills by threading needles under moonlight.
Exposing Clothes to Sunlight: Drying clothes and books under the sun to ward off moisture and insects.
Planting Grain Plaques: Decorating trays with sprouted grains as symbols of fertility and harvest.
Collecting Double Seventh Water: Fetching water at dawn for rituals, believed to possess magical properties.
Seven Maidens’ Gathering: Women assemble to worship celestial deities and showcase needlework.
Fragrant Bridge Ritual: Building incense – laden bridges symbolizing the reunion of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl.
Eavesdropping on Whispers: Listening to whispers in melon fields or grapevines, thought to reveal future fortunes.
Collecting Tears of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl: Collecting dew drops as “tears” for blessings.
Floating River Lanterns (Bai ethnic group): Releasing lanterns on water to honor ancestors and pray for peace.
Time: The 15th day of the seventh lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Han Chinese regions, as well as ethnic minority areas including Mongol, Miao, Yi, Zhuang, Bouyei, Dong, Yao, Bai, Tujia, She, Shui, Daur, Mulam, Blang, Maonan, and Gelao communities.
What to Do:
Ullambana assemblies, rituals to appease spirits, and performances of the opera *Maudgalyayana Rescuing His Mother*.
Releasing river lanterns and holding ancestral worship ceremonies.
Time: The 15th day of the 8th lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Primarily celebrated by the Han people, as well as ethnic groups including Mongol, Miao, Yi, Zhuang, Bouyei, Dong, Yao, Bai, Tujia, Hani, Li, Lisu, She, Lahu, Naxi, Daur, Qiang, Gelao, Xibe, Ewenki, Yugur, Jing, Oroqen, Hezhen, and others across their respective regions.
What to Do:
Moon Appreciation: Activities like “playing under the moon” (enjoying moonlight gatherings), “worshipping the moon” (offering prayers to the moon), and “moonlit strolls.”
Traditional Foods: Eating mooncakes (sweet pastries symbolizing unity).
Cultural Rituals:
Staying up to admire the moonlight (“shou yuehua”).
Burning incense in *dou* containers (“shao douxiang”).
Dragon dances and lantern displays (e.g., “fire dragon dances,” “tower lantern lighting”).
Releasing sky lanterns and floating river lanterns.
Ethnic-Specific Customs:
Korean ethnic group: Erecting “moon-viewing platforms” to gaze at the moon.
Gelao ethnic group: Offering ox hearts in ancestral worship.
Zhuang ethnic group: Launching decorative flower lanterns.
Others: Unique practices like climbing poles to pick longevity herbs (Gaoshan ethnic group) or singing moon-themed songs (Dai ethnic group).
Time: Celebrated on the 9th day of the 9th lunar month.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Han Chinese communities and ethnic minority regions including Mongol, Yi, Bouyei, Bai, Tujia, Dong, She, and Mulao
What to Do:
Ascending heights (mountain climbing or hill hiking);
Admiring chrysanthemums and consuming chrysanthemum wine;
Eating Double Ninth cake (a traditional steamed rice dessert);
Feasting on seasonal crabs;
Flying kites;
Hunting gatherings and equestrian archery (traditional customs in some regions).
Time: During the tenth month of the lunar calendar (around November 7th in the Gregorian calendar).
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Han Chinese regions
What to Do:
In ancient times, official ceremonies included welcoming winter and sacrificial rituals to deities.
Folk customs featured practices like “sweeping away scabies” (a health – related cleansing tradition) and predicting the weather through divination.
Time: The evening of the last day of the twelfth lunar month.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Han Chinese regions, as well as areas inhabited by ethnic minorities such as Mongol, Zhuang, Bouyei, Korean, Manchu, Tujia, Hani, She, Lahu, Daur, Ewenki, Oroqen, and Hezhen.
What to Do:
Welcoming the Kitchen God: Rituals to honor the deity of the hearth.
Posting Spring Festival Couplets: Decorating doors with red poetic scrolls.
Hanging New Year Paintings: Displaying auspicious artwork.
Offering Sacrifices to Deities and Ancestors: Paying respects to gods and ancestors.
Farewell to the Old Year: Ceremonies to bid goodbye to the past year.
Group New Year Greetings: Exchanging blessings with family and community.
Sharing the New Year’s Eve Feast: A grand family meal symbolizing unity.
Keeping Leftover Food for Auspiciousness: Preserving leftovers to signify abundance.
Staying Up Late (Shou Sui): Vigil through the night to welcome the new year.
Giving Red Envelopes with Money: Presenting “lucky money” to children for good fortune.
Tibetan Calendar
Time:
The first day of the first Tibetan lunar month (in Lhasa).
The first day of the eleventh Tibetan lunar month (in Qamdo).
The first day of the twelfth Tibetan lunar month (in areas south of the Nyangchu River).
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Tibetan, Lhoba, Monpa, and other ethnic groups in Tibet Autonomous Region, as well as regions of Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan provinces
What to Do:
Pre-Festival Customs:
Family reunion meals.
Traditional foods: Tsampa (roasted barley flour), Chang (barley wine), fried pastries, and hand – grabbed mutton.
New Year’s Day Activities:
Morning Rituals: Fetching “auspicious water” from rivers or wells.
Social Customs: Exchanging greetings, presenting khata (ceremonial scarves).
Recreation: Visiting Lingka (gardens or parks).
Cultural Performances and Competitions:
Gorshor dance (Tibetan circle dance).
Horse racing, wrestling, archery, yak racing, tug – of – war.
Folk singing and other traditional festivities.
Time: First half of the first month in the Tibetan calendar (typically January/February in the Gregorian calendar)
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Tibetan ethnic group; Tibet Autonomous Region, especially Lhasa
What to Do:
Monks from across the Tibet region gather in Lhasa for group sutra recitations.
Devotees visit temples to offer alms during this period.
Time: 15th day of the fourth month in the Tibetan calendar
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Tibet: Celebrated by Tibetan and Menba ethnic groups, particularly in Lhasa and Cuona City. Yunnan: Observed in regions with Tibetan communities.
What to Do:
Lhasa, Tibet:
Tents are set up near Longwangtan Lake (behind the Potala Palace) for festivities.
Activities include traditional singing, dancing, and riding coracle boats.
Yunnan:
Grand Buddhist ceremonies are held.
Pilgrims visit Dharma Mountain (Damashan) and perform circumambulation rituals.
Menba Ethnic Group in Cuona City:
Families contribute butter, tsampa (roasted barley flour), and invite monks to chant sutras.
Lamps are lit around homes in the evening to mark the celebration.
Time: The first day of the seventh month in the Tibetan calendar, lasting four to five days.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Celebrated by Tibetan people, primarily in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
What to Do: Tibetan opera troupes from across Tibet gather at Norbulingka (the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama) in Lhasa for grand performances. A traditional custom involves eating yogurt during the festival.
Time: The first week of the seventh month in the Tibetan calendar (approximately late August to early September in the Gregorian calendar).
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Primarily celebrated by the Tibetan ethnic group in the Tibet region of China.
What to Do:
Engaging in water games and swimming in rivers and lakes.
Ritual bathing in natural water bodies, believed to cleanse the body and spirit.
Outdoor picnics and communal feasts in the wilderness.
Hijri Calendar
Time: The 12th day of the third month in the Islamic lunar calendar.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Celebrated by the Hui, Uyghur, Kazakh, Dongxiang, Kyrgyz, Salar, Tajik, Uzbek, Tatar, Bonan, and other ethnic minorities in their inhabited regions across China.
What to Do:
Religious observances in mosques, including recitations of the Quran, hymns praising the Prophet Muhammad, and storytelling about his life and deeds.
Slaughtering sheep and preparing traditional foods such as *Youxiang* (fried dough) and *Sanzi* (crispy fried noodles) to host guests.
Visiting relatives and friends to exchange festive greetings and blessings.
Time: The first day of the tenth month in the Islamic lunar calendar.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Regions inhabited by ethnic minorities such as Hui, Uyghur, Kazakh, Dongxiang, Kirgiz, Salar, Tajik, Uzbek, Tatar, and Bonan.
What to Do:
Preparations: Cleaning courtyards, whitewashing homes, and preparing festive foods before the festival.
Rituals: Purifying oneself through bathing, wearing new clothes, and gathering at mosques or open outdoor areas for congregational prayers.
Traditions: Visiting relatives and friends, exchanging festive foods, paying respects at ancestral graves, and engaging in singing and dancing.
Recreational Activities: Some ethnic groups organize traditional games and competitions such as buzkashi (goat – grabbing), horse racing, archery, and wrestling.
Time: The 10th day of the 12th month in the Islamic lunar calendar (Dhu al-Hijjah).
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Celebrated by ethnic minorities including the Hui, Uyghur, Kazakh, Dongxiang, Kirgiz, Salar, Tajik, Uzbek, Tatar, and Bonan, primarily in their inhabited regions across China.
What to Do:
Ritual bathing and perfuming before attending congregational prayers at mosques.
Observing the sacrificial ritual of livestock (symbolizing devotion).
Exchanging holiday greetings and visiting relatives and friends.
Cultural festivities such as song and dance gatherings, traditional games like goat snatching (Buzkashi), horse racing, wrestling, and the lively “Kyz Kuu” (a playful chase between young men and women on horseback).
Shui Calendar
Time: Held on a selected “Mao Day” (卯日) during the ninth or tenth month of the Sui calendar, corresponding to May or June in the lunar calendar.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Sui ethnic group in Sandu and Libo County, Guizhou Province, China
What to Do:
Ancestral worship ceremonies
Folk singing and dancing performances
Playing traditional bronze drums and leather drums
Time: Late December to early February of the Shui calendar (corresponding to late August to early October of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar), observed on 亥 (Hai), 午 (Wu), or 未 (Wei) days. Villages take turns celebrating during this period.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Shui ethnic group, primarily in Guizhou Province, China
What to Do:
Cultural and Recreational Activities**:
Playing *lusheng* (reed-pipe wind instruments), beating bronze drums, singing folk songs, dancing, horse racing, bullfighting, tug-of-war, and performing Huadeng opera (a traditional flower lantern drama).
Culinary Traditions:
Eating *fish stuffed with Chinese chives* (a symbolic dish) and sharing festive rice wine during New Year gatherings.
Yi Calendar
Time: The timing varies by region and is determined through divination by the Bimo (Yi ethnic priests). It is typically held on an auspicious day in the first ten days of the tenth month of the Yi calendar.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Yi ethnic group in Liangshan Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China
What to Do:
Visiting relatives and friends to exchange New Year greetings.
Cultural performances such as traditional singing and dancing.
Swinging on a rotating beam (Zhuanmoqiu, or “Pressure Board” game).
Squatting fights (Dundou, resembling a “rooster duel”).
Horse racing, archery, and wrestling competitions.
Dai Calendar
Time: 3–5 days (celebrated during the Dai New Year) The Dai Calendar, integral to the Water-Splashing Festival, synchronizes with Theravada Buddhist traditions
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Ethnic groups: Dai, Blang, Achang, Deang
Region: Yunnan Province, China.
What to Do:
Splashing water to convey blessings.
Religious rituals: Paying homage to Buddha and bathing Buddha statues.
Cultural and commercial exchanges: Goods trading and sharing steamed glutinous rice.
Traditional games and performances: Dragon boat racing, tossing embroidered pouches, sparklers displays, launching fireworks, releasing Kongming lanterns (sky lanterns), and folk singing/dancing.
Other Festivals by Ethnic Communities in Lunar Calendar
Time: Celebrated for one day at the end of the eighth lunar month.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Mongol ethnic group in Xilingol Grassland, Inner Mongolia, China
What to Do:
Travel on horseback or by carriage, bringing airag (fermented mare’s milk) for gatherings.
Slaughter sheep and cattle, prepare dairy products, and cook “hand-grabbed meat” (boiled meat eaten by hand) for feasts.
Traditional activities include horse racing, singing and dancing, and poetry recitations.
Time: Third month of the lunar calendar (typically in spring)
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Tajik ethnic group in the Tashkurgan area, Xinjiang, China
What to Do:
Thorough house cleaning to welcome the new season.
Welcoming blessings through prayers and rituals.
Visiting relatives and friends to exchange holiday greetings.
Traditional competitions and celebrations, including:
Goat snatching (a lively equestrian game where riders compete to seize a goat).
Folk dancing to rhythmic music.
Wrestling matches showcasing strength and skill.
Horse polo matches, a dynamic display of horsemanship.
Time: The third day of the third lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Celebrated by the Zhuang, Miao, Buyi, Dong, Yao, She, Mulao, and Gelao ethnic groups in their respective regions across China, particularly in Guangxi, Guizhou, Hunan, and Yunnan provinces.
What to Do:
Antiphonal Singing (Duige): Folk song duels, a core tradition among Zhuang and Dong communities.
Street Markets (Gan Jie, Zhuang): Vibrant gatherings for trade and cultural exchange.
Guest Welcoming Ceremonies: Hospitality rituals with dances and offerings.
Green Onion Picking (Dong): Symbolic harvest activity for young people to socialize.
Basket Exchange (Taolan, Dong): Ritual where women exchange woven baskets to foster kinship.
Village Cleansing (Sao Zhai, Buyi): Purification rituals to dispel misfortune.
Deity Worship (Buyi): Prayers for blessings at local temples.
Ancestral Veneration: Offerings and ceremonies to honor ancestors.
Communal Unity Wine: Shared drinking to strengthen community bonds.
Bamboo Pole Dancing: Rhythmic group dance with clashing poles.
Time: 16th day of the 2nd lunar month; late 3rd lunar month; 8th day of the 4th lunar month; 19th day of the 6th lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Miao people in Shibing, Leishan, Majiang, and Kaili (Guizhou Province, China)
What to Do:
Mountain climbing
Horse racing
Lusheng dance (traditional reed-pipe instrument performances)
Bird fighting competitions
Singing performances
Time: 5th day of the fifth lunar month, or the 16th, 24th, and 27th days of the same lunar month (spanning three days)
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Miao ethnic group in southeastern Guizhou, western Hunan, and surrounding areas
What to Do:
Dragon boat racing: Traditional competitive rowing in elaborately decorated boats.
Horse racing: Energetic displays of equestrian skill.
Bullfighting: Ritualistic contests between bulls, symbolizing strength and prosperity.
Drum-stepping dances: Rhythmic group dances performed to the beat of traditional drums.
Youfang: A social custom where Miao youth gather to sing, exchange gifts, and seek romantic partners.
Time: After the Spring Festival and before the spring plowing season, or specifically from the 27th to the 29th day of the ninth lunar month.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Miao people in southeastern Guizhou Province, China
What to Do:
Lusheng dance performances (traditional reed-pipe instrument dances)
Antiphonal folk singing (improvised song duels)
Tug-of-war competitions
Horse racing
Cultural and artistic performances
Time: Celebrated on the Mao Day or Chou Day in the 9th, 10th, or 11th lunar month, lasting for 3 days (some areas extend it to 10–15 days).
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Primarily observed by the Miao ethnic group in Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture (Guizhou Province) and the Greater Miao Mountain area of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
What to Do:
Ancestor worship rituals
Opening the Wealth Gate ceremony
Homage to the New Year deity
Visiting neighboring villages and reuniting with relatives/friends
Cultural events: bullfighting, horse racing, Lusheng dance performances, Moon Dance, and Caihuashan (Flower Mountain Stomping).
Time: 3rd day of the fourth lunar month, lasting for three days
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Yi ethnic group in Napo County, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
What to Do:
Performing the **Golden Bamboo Dance** and holding **ancestor worship ceremonies**.
Elders visiting relatives and friends to exchange agricultural knowledge.
Young men and women engaging in **antiphonal singing** (folk song duels) to socialize.
Time: Generally begins on the 24th day of the sixth lunar month and lasts 1–3 days. It may also be observed on the 6th day of the sixth lunar month, or on the 24th day of the second or eighth lunar month.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Celebrated by the Yi, Bai, Hani, Lisu, Wa, Lahu, Naxi, Blang, and Pumi ethnic groups in their inhabited areas.
What to Do:
Lighting torches and parading through hillsides and fields at nightfall.
Traditional customs such as “fire splashing,” bullfighting, wrestling, singing, dancing, and feasting.
Culinary traditions, including eating *Tuo Tuo meat* (a Yi ethnic dish of chunked cured pork).
Time: The 15th day of the eighth lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Korean ethnic group in Jilin, Heilongjiang, and Liaoning provinces, China
What to Do:
Ancestral Worship
Tomb Sweeping
Cattle Feeding Performances
Turtle Performances
Wrestling Competitions
Lion Dance Performances
Treading the Earth God Ritual (accompanied by *Nongak*—traditional Korean folk music and dance)
Folk Dancing
Time: First occurrence: 23rd and 24th of the sixth lunar month; Second occurrence: 14th and 15th of the seventh lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Eping, Xinping, Shuangbai in Yunnan
What to Do:
Goods exchange: A vibrant marketplace for trading local products and crafts.
Cultural performances: Traditional dancing and singing showcasing Yi heritage.
Social interactions: Opportunities for courtship and romantic connections among young participants.
Community bonding: A festive atmosphere fostering cultural unity and joy.
Time: Observed on the 30th day of the first lunar month.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Primarily celebrated by the Zhuang ethnic group in Pingxiang and Longzhou areas of Guangxi, China.
What to Do: Features cultural activities such as singing and dancing, lion dances, and dragon lantern performances.
The festivities include vibrant cultural performances like folk singing and dancing, lively lion dances, and dazzling dragon lantern displays, reflecting the community’s rich heritage and joyful spirit.
Time:Spring: Lunar New Year period, peaking on March 3rd (lunar calendar). Autumn: Around the Mid – Autumn Festival (15th day of the 8th lunar month).
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Zhuang people, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China
What to Do:
Cultural rituals: Five-color glutinous rice, ball-tossing, egg-tapping.
Performances: Antiphonal singing, dragon/lion dances, martial arts, Zhuang opera.
Celebratory events: Fireworks, communal feasts, ball-releasing rituals.
Time: Around 2-3 days before the Grain Rain solar term (late April in the lunar calendar)
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Dong ethnic group in the Chengyang area of Sanjiang County, Guangxi, China
What to Do:
Singing competitions and antiphonal folk songs between young men and women.
Bird-fighting contests.
Arm strength competitions.
Traditional musket (wūqiāng) shooting contests.
Romantic courtship through song exchanges.
Time: The first day of the eleventh lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Dong people in the contiguous regions of Guizhou, Hunan, and Guangxi, China
What to Do:
Eating glutinous rice cakes
Slaughtering chickens and ducks for feasts
Enjoying lotus-pickled sour fish
Exchanging New Year greetings
Bullfighting competitions
Time: The second or eighth month of the lunar calendar (specifically on the Hai Day, the 12th in the traditional 60 – day cycle).
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Dong ethnic group in Congjiang, Liping, and surrounding areas of Guizhou Province, China
What to Do: Traditional bullfighting competitions where bulls engage in controlled matches, accompanied by cultural performances, communal feasts, and celebrations symbolizing bravery and unity.
Time: The 15th and 16th days of the eighth lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Dong ethnic group in Liping and Gubang areas of Guizhou Province, China
What to Do:
Lusheng performances (traditional reed-pipe wind instrument)
Folk song duets (antiphonal singing)
Performances of Dong opera (traditional drama)
Time: 1st day of the 2nd lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Yao ethnic group in the Jianghua area of Hunan Province, China
What to Do:
Antiphonal singing (folk song duels): Communities gather to engage in traditional call-and-response singing.
Tasting “Niaozai Ba”: A custom of making and sharing glutinous rice cakes shaped like birds, symbolizing the hope to repel pests and ensure a fruitful harvest.
Time: 15th to 20th day of the third lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Bai ethnic group in the Dali region, Yunnan Province, China
What to Do:
Large-scale trade fair for goods exchange
Traditional horse racing competitions
Archery contests
Cultural performances including singing and dancing
Time: 23rd to 25th of the fourth lunar month (approximately late May to early June)
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Bai people in the Dali region of Yunnan Province, China
What to Do:
Rituals to pray for a bountiful harvest.
Collective worship at the main temple.
Traditional song and dance performances.
Time: Lunar December 29th or 28th (the day before the Han Chinese Spring Festival)
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Primarily celebrated by the Tujia ethnic group in western Hunan and western Hubei provinces, China.
What to Do:
Rituals and Customs:
Ancestor worship ceremonies.
“Tree Inquiry Ritual” (symbolic blessings for prosperity).
“Guarding Field Ridges” (praying for agricultural fertility).
Feasting on traditional dishes like steamed chunk pork and mixed vegetable stew.
Cultural Performances and Events:
Wave Hand Dance, a vibrant group dance.
Folk opera performances and athletic competitions.
Trade fairs and community gatherings.
Time: 5th day of the 5th lunar month
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Pumi people in Ninglang County, Yunnan Province
What to Do:
Singing and dancing at the foot of Lion Mountain by Lake Lugu.
Horse riding and marksmanship competitions.
Fumigating caves with burning branches.
Ritual bathing in grand waterfalls.
Time: 7th month of the lunar calendar (typically August or September in the Gregorian calendar)
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Nakhi (Naxi) people in the Yongning and Lugu Lake area of Yunnan Province, China
What to Do:
Young men and women participate in lively singing and dancing performances to socialize and form temporary romantic partnerships known as *Azhu* (a traditional term for romantic companions in Mosuo-influenced Nakhi culture). These activities aim to foster connections through shared cultural rituals, including communal feasts, improvised poetic exchanges, and nighttime bonfire gatherings.
Time: Held between the fourth month of the lunar calendar and the fifth to sixth months of the Gregorian calendar, lasting 1 to 3 days.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Celebrated by the Tu, Hui, Dongxiang, Salar, Bonan, and Yugur ethnic groups in Gansu, Ningxia, and Qinghai provinces, China.
What to Do:
Hosting road-blocking song challenges (where participants sing to pass through checkpoints);
Organizing mountain song dueling competitions;
Performing traditional songs and screening films;
Facilitating trade fairs and cultural exchanges.
Time: The first day of the tenth month in the lunar calendar (approximately late October to early November)
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Qiang ethnic group, primarily in Mao County, Sichuan Province (Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture area)
What to Do:
Paying respects to deities and ancestors
Exchanging New Year greetings
Drinking *zhayou* wine (a traditional fermented barley wine sipped through bamboo straws)
Singing ceremonial wine songs
Performing the Guozhuang dance (a collective circle dance) and skin-drum dance
Time: From the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month to the first month of the following year, lasting 3 to 15 days.
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Pumi ethnic group in Ninglang, Lanping, Lijiang, Weixi, Yongsheng (Yunnan Province), and Muli, Yanyuan (Sichuan Province), China
What to Do:
New Year’s Eve: Ancestor worship rituals and staying up late to “guard the year” (守岁).
First Day of the Lunar New Year:
Carrying “pure water” from springs or rivers as a symbolic act of purification.
Coming-of-age ceremonies for adolescents.
Traditional activities: outdoor rituals, bonfire gatherings, crossbow shooting, horse racing, wrestling, high-jump competitions, and shuttlecock kicking.
Cultural Events: Nightly bonfire dances, singing, and communal feasting throughout the festival period.
Gregorian Calendar
Time: Held annually during summer and autumn seasons, coinciding with Oboo worship rituals
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Mongol ethnic communities in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Liaoning, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Gansu, and Qinghai provinces
What to Do:
Oboo worship rituals
Traditional “Three Manly Games”: Wrestling, Horse Racing, Archery
Cultural activities: Mongolian chess competitions, folk singing and dancing performances
Trade fairs and commercial exchanges
Time: August 15 (observed in the Yanbian region); no fixed date in other areas
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Korean ethnic group in Jilin, Heilongjiang, Liaoning provinces, and the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture
What to Do: Honoring elders through celebratory gatherings, and youth performing cultural and artistic programs to express respect and blessings.
Members of the Korean ethnic group in Jilin, Heilongjiang, Liaoning, and other areas gather to honor their elders. Young people organize and perform cultural and artistic programs as a gesture of respect and to celebrate the longevity and wisdom of the elderly.
Time: Around March 22nd
Popular Ethnic Communities & Territory: Kazakh ethnic group in northern Xinjiang, China
What to Do:
Exchanging New Year greetings.
Eating “Kuji,” a traditional dish made from seven ingredients.
Holding traditional competitions such as Kokpar (a horseback game of grabbing a goat carcass), horse racing, and wrestling.