Ethnic Culture Travel Guide

Yunnan is a multi-ethnic province with the Han nationality and 25 ethnic minorities. Different ethnic minorities bring up rich and colorful ethnic culture in Yunnan. Yunnan is featuring rich and colorful ethnic languages and characters, various religions and cultural art forms, as well as a lot of ethnic festivals and activities.
Culture of Ethnic Minorities in Yunnan
Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Shangri-la, Yuanyang and Xishuangbanna are the most popular destinations in Yunnan. When travelling in Yunnan, you will probably explore the typical ethnic cultures, including Yi culture in Kunming and Chuxiong, Bai culture in Dali, Naxi culture in Lijiang, Hani culture in Yuanyang, and Dai culture and Jinuo tea culture in Xishuangbanna.
Yi Culture in Yunnan
In Yunnan, Yi ethnic minority is mainly distributed in Chuxiong, Honghe, Yuxi, Dali, Pu'er and Kunming. Festivals are the concentrated expression of Yi people's life style and customs. There are agricultural festivals based on agricultural production, sacrificial festivals to worship gods and ancestors, commemorative festivals to commemorate heroes and major events, celebration festivals to celebrate the harvest and victory, and recreational festivals with activities of singing and dancing, etc. Among all of these festivals, Torch Festival is one of the grandest ethnic festival of Yi, and is popular among tourists.
Torch Festival Celebration of Yi Minority
Deemed to be "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 June 24 or 25. In Yunnan Province, Kunming, Chuxiong, Dali, Yuxi, Wenshan, Pu’er, Honghe, Lijiang and Zhaotong are the major areas for the Torch Festival as they are inhabited by the Yi or Bai people. Our torch festival tour usually involves Chuxiong and Shilin. In this tour, you will experience and understand the ethnic culture of Yi minority better. Join our Torch Festival Celebration tour and lost yourself in the joyful atmosphere of Torch Festival.

5 Days Kunming City Tour and Shilin Torch Festival Celebration
6 Days Kunming and Chuxiong Torch Festival Celebration Tour
Festivals of Yi Ethnic Minority in Yunnan
Torch Festival in Chuxiong City
Torch Festival in Shuangbai County, Chuxiong
Torch Festival in Ninglang County, Lijiang
Torch Festival in Jingdong County, Puer
Torch Festival in Jinggu County, Puer
Yizunian (Shiyuenian) New Year in Chuxiong
New Rice (Xinxiaomi) Festival in Chuxiong
Dragon Worship Festival in Chuxiong
Taiping Lehui Festival in Chuxiong
Huagu (Flower Drum) Culture Festival in Chuxiong
Eryueba (February 8th) Festival in Chuxiong
Xiangshan Festival in Shuangbai County
Liuyueliu (June 6th) Festival in Chuxiong
Ganmaojie Festival in Chuxiong
Qiushanhui Festival in  Chuxiong
Saizhuang Festival in Chuxiong
Chahua Festival in Chuxiong
Lianchi Embroidery Festival in Chuxiong
Ganniao Festival in Wuding County, Chuxiong
Longhuahui Festival in Lufeng County, Chuxiong
Tiaogupo Festival in Shiping County, Honghe
Guniang Festival or Girl’s Day in Honghe
Bai Culture in Yunnan
Bai ethnic minority is mainly distributed in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan province. Dali is the origin, ancestral home and main settlement of the Bai minority, about 80% of Bai inhabit here. Bai minority is unique in art, its architecture, sculpture and painting art enjoys a high reputation. In the process of formation and development, with the surrounding ethnic mutual exchanges, Bai people created a brilliant economic culture. The Bai minority is divided into three branches, namely Minjia, Lemo and Nama, and they are deeply influenced by Han culture.
Tie-dyeing of Bai Ethnic Minority
Tie-dyeing is a traditional handicraft of the Bai minority and has a long history. Because the cotton cloth is bundled, different patterns will be created. Therefore, the tie-dyeing method is diverse, and the products are very rich, such as tablecloths, curtains, clothing, ethnic bags, hats, etc.
Festivals and Activities of Bai Ethnic Minority

Lantern Festival
Taiping Festival
Gndenghui Festival
Dragon Boat Race Festival
Jianhu Lake Encircling Festival
Caishen Temple Fair
Xiaojizu Singing Festival
Guanyin Temple Fiar
Flower Festival (Huazhaojie)
Jiejingu Festival
Tianzi Temple Fair
Benzhu Worship Festival
Benzhu Worship and Knife-ladder-climbing Festival
Binchuan Grape Cultural Tourism Festival
Danglu Festival
Confucius Memorial Ceremony
Tianchi Lake Pear Blossom Festival
Qingyuan Cave Singing Festival
Jiuqitai Outdoor Hot Spring Bath Festival
Transplanting Rice Competition
Naochunwang Festival
Haideng Lantern Festival
Prince Festival
Buddha Birthday Festival
Laba Festival
Nirvana Festival
Maitreya Assembly
Yulanpen Festival
Guozi Festival
Shuahai Festival
April 8th(Siyueba) Festival
Kaihai Festival (Kaihaijie)
Qingguniang Festival
Mule and Horse Trade Fair
Pueraria Montana(Gegenhui) Festival
Shuahaihui Festival
Pear Blossom Festival
Jizu Mountain Pilgrimage Festival
Haixihai Folk Song Festival
Cibihu Folk Song Festival
Shibaoshan Folk Song Festival
Worship of the Communal Gods
Dongyuegong Temple Fair
Bathing Festival
Butterfly Festival
Taizi Temple Fair
March Street (Sanyuejie) Festival
Dali International Orchid and Camellia Fair
Hani Culture in Yunnan
Hani ethnic minority is mainly distributed in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous prefecture, especially Yuanyang and Lvchun. Hani is famous for its Hani rice terraces, long street banquet and mushroom house. Every year, a crowd of tourists are attracted to photograph the breathtaking sunrise and sunset of Hani rice terraces, taste the long street banquet and experience Hani culture in Yuanyang.
Well-known Hani Rice Terraces in Honghe

Longshuba Rice Terraces
Bada Rice Terraces
Qingkou Hani Rice Terraces
Duoyishu Rice Terraces
Laohuzui Rice Terraces
Shengcun Hani Rice Terraces
Hani Discovery Tours
2 Days Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Tour at a glance
3 Days Yuanyang Hani Rice Terraces Tour from Kunming
3 Days Yuanyang Rice Terrace Photography Tour from Kunming
4 Days Long Street Banquet Festival and Yuanyang Rice Terraces Photography Tour
7 Days Honghe Hani Ethnic Minority’s Long Street Banquet Festival and Yuanyang Rice Terraces Photograph Tour
Naxi Culture in Yunnan
In Yunnan, Naxi ethnic minority is mainly distribution in Lijiang and Diqing. Naxi ethnic minority is famous for its Dongba culture. Mosuo ethnic people by Lugu Lake, a branch of Naxi ethnic minority, owns unique ethnic culture like matriarchal society and walking marrigae.
Mosuo People Discovery Tours

2 Days Lijiang Lugu Lake Tour and Matriarchal Society Discovery
6 Days Lijiang Discovery Tour with Lugu Lake and Tiger Leaping Gorge
8 Days Lijiang Tour and Gemu Mountain Goddess Festival Tour At Lugu Lake
10 Days Yunnan Trekking Tour of Tiger Leaping Gorge and from Baoshan Stone Town to Lugu Lake
11 Days Yunnan Classic Tour with Holy Lugu Lake and Mosuo Matriarchal Society (Departure from Shangrila)
Festivals of Naxi Ethnic Minority
Hada Bumper Harvest Culture Festival 
Mule and Horse Trade Fair (July Fair)
Danhui (Beginning of Summer) Festival
Torch Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority
Dongshan Temple Fair of Naxi Ethnic Minority
Jiandan (February 8th) Festival of Naxi Minority
Eryueba (February 8th) Festival
Bangbanghui Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority
Sanduo Festival of Naxi Ethnic Minority
Heaven Worshipping Ceremony of Naxi Minority
Dongba Gathering of Naxi Ethnic Minority

Tibetan Culture in Yunnan
Tibetan ethnic minority in Yunnan is mainly disrtibuted in Diqing prefecture. Shangri-la of Diqing is the best place to experience Tibetan culture in Yunnan. Most Tibetans generally observe Tibetan Buddhism or a collection of native traditions known as Bön (also absorbed into mainstream Tibetan Buddhism). Songzanlin Monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, is the must-see when travelling in Shangri-la, and is popular among believers. Our Shangri-la city tour will bring you to experience Tibetan culture in Yunnan.
Shangri-la City Tour
1 Day Shangri-La Lamaist Monasteries Tour
1 Day Napahai Lake Cycling Tour with Tibetan Village and Songzanlin Monastery
4 Days Shangri-La City Tour
5 Days Shangri-La Discovery with Meili Snow Mountain Pilgrimage
Festivals of Tibetan Ethnic Minority in Yunnan
Shugu Nisu Festival or Fertilization Festival
Gedong Festival in Shangri-La City, Diqing
Dengba Festival in Shangri-La City, Diqing
Xianzi Festival in Deqin County, Diqing
Arrow Shooting Festival in Deqin County, Diqing
Molang Qinbo Festival in Deqin County, Diqing
Holy Mountain Festival in Deqin County, Diqing
Horse Racing Festival in Shangri-La, Diqing
The Pilgrimage of Kawa Karpo Kora in Diqing
Dai Culture in Yunnan
Dai ethnic minority in Yunnan mainly live in Xishuangbanna and Dehong, especially in Xishuangbanna. Dai minority regards peacock and elephant as mascot, and folk story of Dai is rich and colorful. Dai people like to live by water, love cleanly, bathe frequently, women love to wash hair, so Dai is known as “ethnic minority of water”. Dai ethnic minority is famous for its water-splashing festival, stilt style architecture and torpical rain forest they live.
Festival Celebration Tour
When you travel to Xishuangbanna, if you are lucky enough, you will have the opportunity to experience the Water splashing Festival of Dai Minority. The Water splashing Festival is scheduled to be held on April 13-15 in the solar calendar. But water splashing festival celebrated in Jinghong could last longer, about 7 days(April 12-18). The Water splashing Festival is Dai’s biggest activity, people splash each other meaning best wishes at that day. If you can get to Xishuangbanna during water splashing festival, join the local people and enjoy the water fight. That will be an exciting experience.

6 Days XishuangBanna Water Splashing Festival Celebration Tour
Festivals of Dai Ethnic Minority
Water Splashing Festival in Menglian
Siyueba (April 8th) Festival/Water Splashing Festival
Woba Festival
Shengmian Festival
Water Splashing Festival in Yuanyang
Water Splashing Festival in Jinghong
Water Splashing Festival in Menghai
Ganbai Festival
Water Splashing Festival in Mengla
Caihua Festival or Flowers Picking Festival
Xuntianba Festival
Songlong (Dragon Worship) Festival
Huajie (Flower Street) Festival
Guanmen (Closing Door) Festival
Chuwa Festival and Ganduo Festival
Water Splashing Festival in Dehong
Water Splashing Festival in Xishuangbanna
Water Splashing Festival in Jinping
Men’s Day of Dai Ethnic Minorities
Flower-collecting and Water Splashing Festival
Water Splashing Festival of Dai Ethnic Minority
Kaimen (Opening Door) Festival
Jinuo Culture in Yunnan
Jinuo people mainly live in Jinoshan Jinuo Ethnic Township of Jinghong city, Xishuangbanna, as well as Mengwang, Mengyang and Menghan in neighboring areas. Jinuo tea mountain is one of the six major tea mountains of puer tea. More than 18,000 hardworking and brave Jinuo people live there. More than 40 Jinuo villages are distributed in the deep mountains and forests of Jinuo mountain in Xishuangbanna, which are good places to study the social history of Jinuo and enjoy the customs.
Jinuo Culture Discovery Tours in Xishuangbanna

1 Day North XishuangBanna Tour to Wild Elephant Valley and Jinuo Ethnic Village
3 Days XishuangBanna Tea Culture Tour to Yiwu and Nannuo Tea Mountains
4 Days Best XishuangBanna Tropical Forest and Ethnic Minorities Discovery
7 Days XishuangBanna and Puer Tea Culture Tour
Festivals of Jinuo Ethnic Minority
The grandest traditional festival of Jinuo ethnic minority is Temaoke festival. Temaoke(特懋克), which means celebrating New Year, is a festival held by the Jinuo people to commemorate the creation and use of ironware.

Haoxizao Festival of Jinuo Ethni Minority
Temaoke Festival of Jinuo Ethnic Minority
Hui Culture in Yunnan
In Yunnan, there are some places where Hui ethnic minority gather, such as Zhaotong, Qujing, Kunming, Baoshan, Dali, Chuxiong and the like. There are also some famous mosques, including Shadian Grand Mosque in Gejiu, Nancheng Mosque in Kunming, Donglianhua Mosque in Weishan County, Huize Mosque in Huize County and Najiaying Mosque in Tonghai County, etc. Our Yunnan muslim tours are carefully arranged for travelers to visit the ancient mosque, taste delicious Muslim food and explore the lifestyle there. In the meantime, you will not miss the famous attractions in your itinerary.
Yunnan Muslim Tours
5 Days Kunming Muslim Tour
6 Days Kunming Shadian Muslim Tour with Yuanyang Rice Terraces and Jianshui Old Town
6 Days Kunming and Qujing Muslim Culture Tour
6 Days Kunming and Zhaotong Muslim Culture Tour
7 Days Yunnan Muslim Culture Tour with Shadian Mosque and Yuanyang Rice Terraces
9 Days Yunnan Classic Tour with Muslim Culture Exploration
13 Days Yunnan Muslim Culture Discovery Tour
Festivals of Hui Ethnic Minority
Eid al-Fitr Festival in Gejiu
Eid al-Adha Festival in Gejiu
Eid al-Adha Festival in Qiubei
Mawlid Festival in Weishan
Eid al-Fitr Festival in Weishan
Eid al-Adha Festival in Weishan
Hungry Ghost Festival
Eid al-Fitr Festival in Yongping
Eid al-Fitr Festival in Eryuan
Festival of Fast-Breaking or Eid al-fitr
Corban (Zaisheng) Festival
Mawlid or Mawlid al-Nabi al-Sharif Festival
Wa Culture in Yunnan
Wa ethnic minority in Yunnan mainly live in Lincang and Pu'er. Lincang is one of the birthplaces of Wa culture. In Cangyuan of Lincang city, Wengding Wa ethnic village and Monihei carnical attract a lot of tourists every year. Wa is also well-known for its Wooden Drum.
Cangyuan Monihei Carnival
“Monihei Carnival” (making you black) is a mud smearing carnival of the Wa ethnic group. It is originated from the folk custom that people smear the pot ash, ox blood and mud on their faces to frighten the evils and seek peace. The Monihei Carnival is held in late April or early May(usually April 29-May 1) each year in Cangyuan County, one of the only two Chinese Wa autonomous Counties in southwest China’s Yunnan Province. During Monihei Carnival, you can not only experience the joyful atmosphere which is full of ethnic features, but also appreciate the various natural and human scenery in Cangyuan. With pleasant weather, you can walk in the famous cliff painting valley and have a visit to Wending Village to discover the unique, extensive and profound culture of Wa minority.

4 Days Cangyuan Monihei Carnival Tour
New Rice Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority
New Rice Festival is one of the traditional festivals of the Wa ethnic minority. In the past, it used to be celebrated when the rice was ripe for harvest, and would last three days. During the festival, ladies would collect some rice from farmlands; dry and then husk them. Early next morning, the doors of the house would be closed to reject visitors and animals, and all the family members would stay at home enjoying the newly-harvested rice when eating, any waste wouldn’t be allowed. After the family finished, they would open the door and invite neighbors to enjoy the rice together. In 1992, the local government of Menglian Dai, Lahu and Wa Autonomous County determined the festival as a mandatory holiday for the Wa and Lahu minorities, and the date has been confirmed during lunar August 13-15.

5 Days Wa Ethnic Minority’s New Rice Festival Tour
Festivals of Wa Ethnic Minority in Yunnan
New Rice Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority
New Rice Festival in Menglian County, Puer
New Rice Festival in Ximeng County, Puer
Wooden Drum Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority
Wooden Drum Festival in Ximeng County, Puer
Wild Fruit and Vegetable Festival in Ximeng, Puer
Spring Festival (Xinshuijie) of Wa Ethnic Minority
Cattle-butchering Dance of Wa Ethnic Minority
Cattle-butchering Ceremony of Wa Ethnic Minority
Gongxiang (Elephant Worship) Festival of Wa
New Fire Festival (Xinhuojie) of Wa Ethnic Minority
Sowing Seeds Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority
Qingmiao Festival of Wa Ethnic Minority
Monihei Carnival in Cangyuan County, Lincang
Keep Reading
Yunnan Minority Discovery Tours will take you to tradtional ethnic villages and ethnic towns in Kunming, Dali, Lijiang, Honghe, Chuxiong, Dehong and Xishuangbanna, ect. You can visit local family, local ethnic market, cutural sites such as temples and monasteries and inheritor of intangible cultural heritages in Yunnan, or join in local ethnic festivals like Munao Zongge Festival, Water Splashing Festival, Long Street Banquet Festival to get a better understanding of Yunnan ethnic culture and folk customs.
Ethnic Minority Discovery Tours
1 Day Kunming Stone Forest Tour with Nuohei Ethnic Village Discovery
2 Days Luxi Alu Cave and Chengzi Ancient Village Tour
2 Days Xinping County Tour with Huayaodai Ethnic People Discovery
5 Days XishuangBanna and Puer Ethnic Market Discovery Tour
6 Days XishuangBanna and Puer Ethnic Culture Tour with Tea Culture and Ethnic Villages Discovery
6 Days Yunnan Minority Craft Culture Tour
6 Days Lincang Minority Discovery Tour
6 Days Puer Ethnic Minorities and Local Markets Discovery Tour
9 Days South China Rice Terraces and Ethnic Culture Tour
10 Days Yunnan Ethnic Villages and Ancient Towns Tour
5 Days Western Yunnan Border and Tropical Forest Tour with Minorities Discovery
8 Days South Yunnan Ethnic Minority Discovery and Tropical Forest Photograph Tour
10 Days South Yunnan Ethnic Minority and Tropical Rain-forest Photography Tour
46 Days Yunnan Panorama Photography Tour with 25 Ethnic Minorities Discovery