Lantern Festival (Huadengjie) in Midu County, Dali

Overview of The Festival

Chinese Name: 弥渡县花灯节
English Name: Lantern Festival (Huadengjie)  in Midu County, Dali
Location: 弥渡县密祉镇/Mizi Township, Midu County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan.
Date : Every year on the fifteenth and sixteenth day of the first lunar month, lasting for two days

Every year, on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the lantern festival is a traditional activity in Mizi Township, Midu County, Dali Prefecture, Yunnan, which has a history of over a thousand years. Describing it with the sounds of gongs and drums, the crackling of firecrackers, the fluttering of red flags, and a crowd of people is not an exaggeration at all.

Festival Content

During the Midu Lantern Festival, Mizi Township is one of the liveliest places in Dali Prefecture. During the festival, all the natural villages, large and small, in Mizi Township organize lantern teams to perform lion dances, dragon dances, and lantern displays in the Dasi Street of Mizi. They celebrate the party’s policies and the good lives of the people through self-composed songs and performances, collectively wishing for an even better life in the coming year. Lantern teams from various villages gather in the square in front of Mizi Dasi, performing dragon dances, lion dances, lantern jumping, singing, lantern competitions, and setting off firecrackers, celebrating all night long in a frenzy, creating a scene of a sea of people, earning the title of the “Oriental Lantern Carnival.”

Festival Culture

Mizi Township in Midu County, Dali Prefecture, has a long cultural history, beautiful mountains and rivers, rich natural and human resources, and well-preserved ancient residential buildings and folk customs. It boasts a traditional lantern festival that has thrived for a thousand years, and is honored as the “Hometown of Lanterns, Cultural Hometown, and Hometown of the Gentle Flowing River.”.

Travel Information

By Bus:

Kunming Western Bus Station to Dali: 7:20 AM to 8:00 PM, over 60 departures. Ticket price: 111 yuan. Travel time: approximately 6 hours.
Kunming Western Bus Station to Midu County: 9:10 AM to 7:30 PM, 7 departures total. Ticket price: 122 yuan. Travel time: approximately 6 hours.
Dali Bus Station to Midu County: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, multiple departures. Travel time: approximately 90 minutes.

By Train:

Kunming to Dali: 8:35, 9:42, 12:10, 21:15, 21:40, 22:06, 22:29, 22:47, 8 departures total. Ticket prices: Hard seat: 64 yuan; Hard sleeper: 97.5 yuan; Soft sleeper: 149.5 yuan.

By Plane:

Kunming Changshui International Airport to Dali Airport: 7:40 AM to 7:30 PM, with more than ten flights available.

Local Activities

1. Lantern Displays

  • Villagers create and showcase colorful lanterns of various shapes and sizes. These lanterns often depict traditional motifs and sometimes contain riddles written on them for visitors to solve.

2. Lion and Dragon Dances

  • Performers engage in energetic lion and dragon dances, which are believed to bring good luck and drive away evil spirits. These performances are a highlight of the festival and attract large crowds.

3. Lantern Processions

  • Different villages organize lantern teams that parade through the streets of Mizi Township. These processions feature singing, dancing, and showcasing of the beautifully crafted lanterns.

4. Traditional Music and Dance Performances

  • Local musicians perform traditional music, and dancers present folk dances, which reflect the cultural diversity of the region. Participating in these performances creates a lively and festive atmosphere.

5. Firecracker Displays

  • To celebrate the occasion and ward off bad luck, firecrackers are set off throughout the festival. The sound of firecrackers complements the festive ambiance and heightens the celebratory spirit.

6. Community Gatherings

  • The festival serves as an opportunity for community bonding. Locals gather to share meals, participate in games, and engage in cultural exchanges, reinforcing community ties.

7. Culinary Traditions

  • Special foods are prepared and enjoyed during the festival, often including traditional snacks and dishes specific to the region. This culinary aspect adds a delicious dimension to the festivities.

8. Cultural Exhibitions

  • Various cultural exhibitions may take place, showcasing local arts and crafts, traditional costumes, and other aspects of the region’s heritage.

9. Riddle Solving

  • A fun tradition where riddles are attached to lanterns. Participants engage in solving these riddles, often winning small prizes or gaining the honor of being recognized for their intelligence.

10. Wishes for the New Year

  • As part of the celebrations, community members look forward to the upcoming year by expressing their hopes and wishes for prosperity, happiness, and good health.