Dali Festivals and Events

The March Fair of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali

Dali Festivals and Activities are very colorful and Dali is the best place to take a festival tour. There are 13 ethnic groups in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, namely, Han, Bai, Yi, Hui, Lisu, Miao, Naxi, Zhuang, Tibetan, Blang, Lahu, Achang, Dai and other ethnic groups. This part gives a brief introduction of festivals and activities in Dali, and tell travelers what to do when come to Dali.

Festivals in Dali

As the prominent ethnic minority inhabited in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Bai Ethnic Minority created brilliant culture and customs, among which the unique traditional festivals of Bai people enjoy good fame and attract tourists home and abroad to visit.

Popular Festivals

Festivals by Regions in Dali

Dali City

Date Festival Ethnic Minority
January 10 of Lunar Calendar Benzhu Worship Festival  Bai
February Flower Festival (Huazhaojie)  Bai
February 15 of Lunar Calendar Tianfengshan Mountain Song Festival Bai
March 15-21 of Lunar Calendar March Street (Sanyuejie) Festival  Bai
April 24-25 of Lunar Calendar Raosanling Festival Bai

Weishan County

Date Festival Ethnic Minority
February of Lunar Calendar Jiejingu Festival Bai
February 8 of Lunar Calendar Dage Festival of Yi Ethnic Minority Yi
February 8 of Lunar Calendar The Ancestor Worship Festival  Yi
February 8 of Lunar Calendar Eryueba Festival Yi
March 12 of Islamic Calendar Mawlid Festival of Hui Ethnic People Hui
March 12-18 Weishan Snack Festival Yi, Hui
March 29-April 1 Maanshan Pear Blossom Festival Yi
June 25 of Lunar Calendar Torch Festival Yi
July 15 of Lunar Calendar Ghost Festival Yi
September Peasant Culture Festival Yi
October of Islamic Calendar Eid al-Fitr Festival of Hui Ethnic People Hui
December of Islamic Calendar Eid al-Adha Festival of Hui Ethnic Minority Hui

Nanjian County

Date Festival Ethnic Minority
February 8 of Lunar Calendar Yashen Festival  Yi
March Tea-leaves Picking Festival Yi
May 5 of Lunar Calendar Sangwang Festival  Yi
May 5 of Lunar Calendar Red Bayberry Festival  Yi
June 25 of Lunar Calendar Torch Festival Yi
July 15 of Lunar Calendar Ghost Festival /
November 25 Wuliangshan Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival  /
November 25 Tiaocai Dance Art Festival  /

Jianchuan County

Date Festival Ethnic Minority
January 15 of Lunar Calendar Qingguniang Festival (Women’s Festival) Bai
February 8 of Lunar Calendar Prince Festival Bai
February 15 of Lunar Calendar Nirvana Festival Bai
April 8 of Lunar Calendar April 8th (Siyueba) Festival  Bai
April 8 of Lunar Calendar Buddha Birthday Festival  Bai
June 15 of Lunar Calendar Jianhu Lake Encircling Festival  Bai
July 15 of Lunar Calendar Yulanpen Festival  Bai
July 27-August 1 of Lunar Calendar Shibaoshan Folk Song Festival Bai
December 18 of Lunar Calendar Laba Festival Bai

Eryuan County

Date Festival Ethnic Minority
January 14-18 of Lunar Calendar Naochunwang Festival  Bai
March 12-26 Cibihu Pear Blossom Festival /
June 13 of Lunar Calendar Qingyuan Cave Singing Festival Bai
June 25 of Lunar Calendar Haixihai Folk Song Festival  Bai
July 23 of Lunar Calendar Haideng Lantern Festival  Bai
October of Islamic Calendar Eid al-Fitr Festival of Hui Ethnic People  Hui

Yangbi County

Date Festival Ethnic Minority
February 8 of Lunar Calendar Knife-ladder-climbing Festival  Lisu
March 19 of Lunar Calendar Dage Festival Yi
June 25 of Lunar Calendar Torch Festival Yi

Yunlong County

Date Festival Ethnic Minority
February 8 of Lunar Calendar Bathing Festival  Bai
March 30-April 1 Tianchi Lake Pear Blossom Festival /
June 25 of Lunar Calendar Torch Festival Yi
December 20 Kuoshi Festival Lisu

Activities in Dali

As a popular destination for visitors, Dali offers all kinds of recreational activities. You can always find the activities full of fun, which can kick back and indulge yourself in the happy atmosphere. Come to Dali, and take part in Dali Activities.

Date Activity Location
Every Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m Shaping Monday Market in Dali Dali City
Every Friday Shaxi Friday Market  Jianchuan County, Dali
January 25 Dali International Orchid and Camellia Fair Dali City
January 9 of Lunar Calendar Dragon Lantern (Longdenghui) Festival Nanjian County, Dali
February 15 of Lunar Calendar Sanying Agricultural Products Exchange Fair Eryuan County, Dali
February 19 of Lunar Calendar Guanyin Temple Fiar Dali City
March 3 of Lunar Calendar Xiaojizu Singing Festival  Dali City
March 20 of Lunar Calendar Lingbaoshan Mountain Pilgrimage Nanjian County, Dali
May of Lunar Calendar Transplanting Rice Competition Eryuan County, Dali
July 3 of Lunar Calendar Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva Assembly  Jianchuan County, Dali
August Mule and Horse Trade Fair (August Fair) Jianchuan County, Dali
August 15-21 of Lunar Calendar Bajie Agricultural Products Exchange Fair Eryuan County, Dali

Dali Minority Festival Tours

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Daogan Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Daogan Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Brief Introduction Daogan Festival (刀杆节) is a traditional festival of Lisu ethnic groups living in Lushui County(泸水县), Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture(怒江傈僳族自治州).Due to the death of the old artists, they were...

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Torch Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Torch Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name:傈僳族火把节 English Name:Torch Festival of Lisu Ethnic Minority 傈僳族火把节文化 在每个民族都有着自己民族特色的传统节日,火把节是傈僳族古老而重要的传统节日,它有着深厚的民俗文化。在火把节这一天当地人民聚在一起通过拜火把、点火把、耍火把等活动来预祝五谷丰登、六畜兴旺。想更了解傈僳族的火把节吗? 火把节是德宏傈僳族的传统节日,时间在每年农历六月二十四、二十五日。傈僳族过火把节别有一番情趣,节日这天,寨子里热热闹闹,人们喜笑颜开穿上节日盛装,全家团圆,杀猪宰羊,谈天说地,论古道今,美美地喝着水酒,唱歌跳舞,人人讲团结、家家户户互相祝福。 这天,待到倦鸟归林、夕阳衔山时,人们点起火把从屋里到屋外,从院内到院外熏烧灾虫。火把左右摆动,上下舞动。老年人边舞动火把边念叨:“烧死跳蚤、烧死老鼠、烧死魔鬼、烧死一切害人虫!……”然后,老人又拿着火把去照果树,念道:“开花吧!结果吧!让人们收获吧!”众人同呼:“开花吧!结果吧!花果满山,粮食满仓!”入夜,火塘通明,人们欢欢乐乐跳起芦笙舞、三弦舞。亲亲热热手拉手举行跳戛、唱民间叙事长诗《火把节调》。这个调子也称“半年生产调”,其内容是总结半年生产经验的。这时春播夏收的作物,如荞子、洋芋等等已成熟收进了家。人们唱丰收鼓干劲,翩翩起舞,通宵达旦。...

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Kaihai Festival (Kaihaijie) or Erhai Lake Fishing Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority

Kaihai Festival (Kaihaijie) or Erhai Lake Fishing Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority

Chinese Name: 大理洱海开海节 English Name: Kaihai Festival (Kaihaijie) or Erhai Lake Fishing Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority...

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Qingguniang Festival (Women’s Festival) of Bai Ethnic Minority in Jianchuan County, Dali

Qingguniang Festival (Women’s Festival) of Bai Ethnic Minority in Jianchuan County, Dali

Chinese Name:剑川县白族青姑娘节 English Name: Qingguniang Festival (Women’s Festival) of Bai Ethnic Minority in Jianchuan County, Dali Location: 鹤庆县甸南镇杨岑村 青姑娘节时间是每年农历正月十五日。青姑娘节,是白族妇女的一种纪念性的歌舞节日。主要内容为叙述旧时代白族妇女遭受的苦难和不幸,寄托着她们对美好生活的期盼和向往。流行于剑川县的羊岑、甸南一带、节期为农历正月十五日。 这天剑川县甸南、羊岑等地的白族妇女都要参加活动,她们纷纷捐钱,聚在一起,专门请人扎一个青姑娘的偶像,给她穿上白族的盛装,把她抬到秋千架上荡秋千,众人围着她边舞边唱,娱乐一番,然后到海尾河边举行祭奠仪式。晚上,由一人举着“青姑娘”偶像作前导,众妇女随后,绕遍村中的大小街道,边走边唱叙事长歌《青姑娘》。随后再回到村中的场地上,和“青姑娘”荡秋千,直到深夜。最后把“青姑娘”送进海尾河里。   青姑娘节的活动以载歌载舞演唱一部反映青姑娘身世的白族民间长诗的形式来进行。内容讲述了青姑娘本是一个天真烂漫的少女,后被父母包办嫁为人妇,受尽了丈夫和婆婆的虐待,在一个月夜自吊秋千架上,被伙伴解救,返家仍遭毒打,终因不堪折磨,跳进海尾河自尽的悲惨故事。   传说青姑娘于正月十五跳海,于是每年的这一天便成了“青姑娘节”。届时,全村的姑娘们要聚在一起,选出本村最美丽、最聪明、人品最好、歌嗓最亮的一位扮演青姑娘。有的村庄则用篾扎纸糊再加彩画的偶像来代表青姑娘。 太阳落山时,全村女子簇拥着“青姑娘”从河边进入村中,一路手牵着手,踩着节拍边唱边舞,过街串巷,直到村中广场。然后围绕“青姑娘”吟唱整首长诗,诉说其痛苦遭遇以示悼念,直至月落西山方才散去。   她发出怒吼:“墙上人影难成画,水底捞月白费神,万丈铁链缠住身,难锁我的心!”在当时的历史条件下,她只得跳进海尾河,以死来反抗吃人的封建婚姻制度。为了悼念青姑娘,白族妇女在每年正月十五日纷纷聚会,开展祭奠活动。晚上,她们抬着青姑娘的偶像,走遍村中的大小巷道,边走边唱叙述她悲惨遭遇的长诗《青姑娘》。   “青姑娘”长诗的词曲哀婉凄凉,分为“悼歌”、“恋歌”、“苦歌”、“哀歌”、“幻歌”等五大部分。从“悼歌”呼唤青姑娘“青姑娘子阿姐姐,今天姊妹来团聚,海尾河边来祭你,把你苦情叙。”开始,直到“幻歌”中的“香樟树,树香樟,海尾河边树苍苍,砍棵大树造只船,划到南海上。”   句句扣人心弦,令人回肠荡气。该长诗以其鲜明的民族风格和独特的艺术魅力成为白族文学史上的经典作品,又借助于“青姑娘节”的传统习俗而流传民间,堪称为白族文化的一朵奇葩。 http://www.qulishi.com/news/201603/92356.html...

Bai Ethnic Minority    Veiw
Mule and Horse Trade Fair (August Fair) in Jianchuan County, Dali

Mule and Horse Trade Fair (August Fair) in Jianchuan County, Dali

Chinese Name:剑川县八月骡马物资交流会 English Name: Mule and Horse Trade Fair (August Fair) in Jianchuan County, Dali...

Bai Ethnic Minority    Veiw
Pueraria Montana (Gegenhui) Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali

Pueraria Montana (Gegenhui) Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali

Chinese Name:白族葛根会 English Name: Pueraria Montana (Gegenhui) Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali Pueraria montana (葛根 in Chinese) is a species of plant in the botanical family Fabaceae. At...

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Shuahaihui Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali

Shuahaihui Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali

Chinese Name:大理白族耍海会/捞尸会 English Name: Shuahaihui Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali 大理洱海沿岸的白族人民,每年农历八月八日都要举办一次传统的耍海盛会。在耍海的日子里,人们只起唢呐,唱着《大本曲》,对着调子,舞着霸王鞭,跳起仙鹤舞,尽情欢乐。同时,举行一年一度的“赛龙舟”活动,龙舟一般用洱海里大型的木船改装而成,在长约十米,宽约三米的风帆上,披红挂绿、张灯结彩。桅杆上扎有五颜六色的“连升三级”的大斗,并拴上铜锣,尾舵上竖有松枝,船舷上画着叱咤风云的“黄龙”和“黑龙”,中间镶嵌一面圆“宝镜”。随着一声号令,各村寨的龙舟竞发,人们唱着赛舟调,祝愿风调雨顺,五谷丰登。 活动 由于起源传说不同,耍海会的时间也有前后,一般三至五天不等。邓川、上关、喜洲一带的耍海时间从农历七月二十三日开始,大理、下关一带的耍海时间从农历八月初八开始,耍海的内容大同小异。邓川、喜洲的白族群众身着民族盛装,聚会于弥苴河两岸和洱海之滨,举行用彩船游河泛海、唱山歌对调子等活动,持续三至五天。会期,家家户户都要接姑娘请客,节日隆重程度 如同过春节。大理、下关沿海的白族群众除举行划船耍海对歌活动外,还要举行规模盛大的龙船比赛活动。赛前,参赛的各村都要彩画龙船,并在船上挂彩和插旗,将龙船装扮得绚丽多姿。比赛时,看谁最先绕过海心的标记转回到岸边,最先回到 者为冠军。观看和助战的人群汇集在海边,摇旗呐喊,为参赛龙舟助威。 历史演变 大理白族耍海和赛龙船历史悠久,据史籍记载,始于南诏、大理国时期,最初与崇奉龙神有关,后来发展为群众性的文化体育活动。党的十一届三中全会之后,随着旅游事业 的发展,大理的要海会不再限于当地的白族群众,来自全国各地和海外的游客、外宾也参加了耍海活动,使节日的规模更大 更热闹。...

Bai Ethnic Minority    Veiw
Pear Blossom Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali

Pear Blossom Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali

Chinese Name:白族梨花会 English Name: Pear Blossom Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali 梨花会是白族传统盛会,在每年梨花盛开时节举行。阳春三月,遍布在剑川坝子里、坡地上、河谷间的座座梨园都披上了洁白雅致的素装,棵棵梨树上缀满了耀眼的白花。梨园里荡漾着美的韵味,在春风里摇曳的梨树枝条,仿佛向人们频频招手。人们三五成群,或亲朋同聚,或举家共乐,纷纷到梨园里野餐,开展春游活动。 白族崇尚白色,相传这事惹恼的黑魔鬼,它施妖术把世间白色的东西全变成了黑色,梨树也枯死了。有一位名叫梨花的白族姑娘,历尽艰险取到了老君山白龙潭里的龙乳。他把龙乳喷在黑魔鬼的身上,黑魔鬼马上变成一块石头,枯死的梨树重新开出了耀眼的白花。为了纪念为民除害的梨花姑娘,于是人们每年都要举行梨花会。 鹤庆首届梨花节之所以在奇峰村举办,是因为奇峰村是网络投选出来的大理“十大美丽乡愁”之一,是大理新出现的乡村活动美景地,它位于大理州鹤庆县西邑镇,距鹤庆县城58公里,是白族、傈僳族、苗族等多民族集居地的小山村,不仅自然生态美景秀美,民风也纯朴,每年都有不少人到乡村做客,到山里看梨花。 不过巍山县等地也在今年3月举报梨花节。 因此,这个是大理州各县往旅游方向发展的项目,没有历史渊源。...

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Jizu Mountain Pilgrimage Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Binchuan County, Dali

Jizu Mountain Pilgrimage Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Binchuan County, Dali

Chinese Name:宾川县鸡足山朝山会 English Name: Jizu Mountain Pilgrimage Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Binchuan County, Dali 每年农历正月初一至十五日,大理州境内的各族群众都要前往鸡足山朝山,祈求国泰民安和观赏鸡足山风光。节日期间,民族文化活动比较丰富,如耍龙、舞狮、狩猎、赛马、打歌、闹花灯、猜灯谜等,独具特色。 节日简介 鸡足山是佛教名山,每年农历正月初一至十五日为朝山会,是时大理州境内的各族群众都要前往朝山,祈求国泰民安和观赏鸡足山风光,朝山者每个寺院都要到达,给佛像敬香供果,向寺主捐献德,以作寺院维修之用。朝山期间,每天游人和朝者络绎不绝,到处欢歌笑语,热闹非常,游山朝都要到鸡足山金顶观日出。尤其是正月十五日凌晨观日出者,成百上千。 主要节目 鸡足山朝山节日期一般在农历腊、正月间,朝山信徒甚众,来自东南亚国家和地区。节日期间,民族文化活动比较丰富,如耍龙、舞狮、狩猎、赛马、打歌、闹花灯、猜灯谜等,独具特色。 景区介绍 鸡足山是中国四大佛教名山之一,山势背西北而面东南,前列三峰,后拖一岭,形如鸡足,故名。鸡足山在中国和东南亚享有盛名,同时又是著名的风景名名胜区。   鸡足山位于宾川县城西北30公里处,距大理市100余公里。40座奇山,30座险峰,34处崖壁,45个幽洞,吸引了无数的旅游者。相传,释迦牟尼的大弟子在此讲经,故鸡足山成了历代朝佛的胜地。鼎盛时,有36庵,72寺,108所寺院。僧人达5000多。鸡足山金顶海拔3240米,棱严塔高耸如云。   登顶眺望,东观日出,西望苍山洱海,南赏祥云,北眺玉龙雪山。明朝大旅游家徐霞客云:“此不特首鸡山,实首海内也。”...

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Haixihai Folk Song Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Eryuan County, Dali

Haixihai Folk Song Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Eryuan County, Dali

Chinese Name:洱源县海西海歌会 English Name: Haixihai Folk Song Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Eryuan County, Dali 西海在洱源县牛街乡龙门坝,离县城24公里,为断陷溶蚀洼地形成的天然淡水湖泊。南海北坝,群山环抱,“四面为城”,明清时期是鹤庆府的八大名景之一。湖泊面积2.6平方公里,南北长3.6公里,东西最大宽1.5公里,湖岸线长10公里,平均水深10米,最大水深16米,平均水温13度,总库容2227万立方米,下游与茈碧湖、凤羽河同注入弥直河而流人洱海。海西海三面临山,山中竹树成林,一面连坝,湖中有”海映山奇观”。 每年农历六月二十五,是一年一度的传统海西海歌会,前来赴会的络绎不绝,青年男女泛舟海西海,在三弦的伴奏下,放开嗓子唱情歌,摘菱角,采莲花,被称为是“三弦传情歌为媒,喜结良缘海西海”。...

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Cibihu Folk Song Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Eryuan County, Dali

Cibihu Folk Song Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Eryuan County, Dali

Chinese Name:洱源县茈碧湖歌会/龙王会/海灯会 English Name: Cibihu Folk Song Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Eryuan County, Dali http://paper.yunnan.cn/html/20071122/news_96_202582.html...

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Benzhu Worship Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali

Benzhu Worship Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali

Chinese Name:大理白族本主节 English Name: Benzhu Worship Festival of Bai Ethnic Minority in Dali...

Bai Ethnic Minority    Veiw