Lingbaoshan Mountain Temple Fair in Nanjian County, Dali

Lingbaoshan (灵宝山) is home to several ancient stone buildings that attract many visitors seeking to explore its rich history. The Lingbaoshan Mountain Pilgrimage and Traditional Temple Fair are essential parts of Nanjian County’s cultural celebrations.

The Dragon Lantern Festival

On February 18, the 9th day of the lunar New Year, the Dragon Lantern Festival took place in Nanjian (南涧), Yi Township. As dawn broke, the roads leading to Nanjian were filled with motorcycles, microcars, and small vehicles. People traveled from all over to partake in the celebrations. Nanjian County transformed into a festive stage, bustling with visitors and overflowing with energy. The air was filled with the spirit of the New Year, and the streets were alive with the sounds of celebration.

Local Business Surge

During the festival, local businesses opened their doors to welcome customers for their first major sales of the year. Restaurants were busy, with customers flooding in. The food street and shopping centers were packed with people, and there was a palpable excitement in the air as shoppers queued to buy goods. Supermarkets seized the opportunity, decorating with lanterns and offering sales promotions to attract more customers, creating a thriving consumer atmosphere throughout the town.

Festival Atmosphere

Around the Dragon Lantern Festival venue, including Science and Technology Square and Yanyue Park (偃月公园), vendors set up toy stalls for children early in the day. Vendors offering a variety of snacks arrived early as well, with an array of foods ready to be served: from crispy rice and sweet sugarcane to barbecues and street snacks. Photographers and game booths, such as ring toss and shooting, set up their stands to capitalize on the crowds. The entire Nanjian County was a scene of intense business activity, drawing praise from visitors for its effective use of traditional holidays to boost the local economy.

Vendors and Business Opportunities

Li Jinyan from Midu (弥渡) joined the business rush early, waking up at 5:30 AM, driving to Nanjian, and setting up her pickled pear stall in Yanyue Park. Li, who has been attending the festival for two consecutive years, appreciates the chance to experience the festival atmosphere while also making a good income. “It’s a great way to enjoy the festive spirit and do business at the same time,” she said.

At the winter melon candied fruit stall, the sweet treats sold like hotcakes. The vendor, from Weishan (巍山), shared that it was his first time selling at the Dragon Lantern Festival. “Unlike the Weishan Snack Festival, this festival lasts for just one day, but the crowd is dense and concentrated, making it easier to do business,” he explained.

As the sun blazed, festival-goers sought out refreshing treats like cold shrimp, Nanjian crispy rice oil noodles, cold rice noodles, and drinks to cool off. Ice-candy, cotton candy, small pets, and balloons were especially popular with children. At a stall in Tuan Mountain Village (团山村), Li Pinghua was teaching a group of young girls how to make bead bracelets, while boys played with various cool toys at a nearby toy stall. Li Jun, a graduate student from Kunming University of Science and Technology, was selling toys during his holiday to earn money for his tuition fees.

Unique Offerings and Local Success

Pingping from Shuangbai County (楚雄州双柏县) noticed a gap in the market last year when no one was selling classical fans at the Dragon Lantern Festival, so she decided to offer them this year. “Each fan is 10 yuan, and the little girls love them!” she said. Alongside her fan stall, Gong Zihao from Lincang (临沧) sold cotton candy shaped like rabbits, which was especially loved by young girls. “It’s 15 yuan each, and they can’t get enough of them!” he added.

Tourism and Accommodation in Nanjian

The Bada Hotel (八达酒店), which provides a full range of services including food, lodging, and parking, reported high occupancy during the Spring Festival. “We had a full house during the Torch Festival, and we’re fully prepared to offer top-notch services for guests visiting the Dragon Lantern Festival,” shared a hotel staff member.

Pilgrimages and Blessings

The Lingbaoshan (灵宝山) pilgrimage on the first day of the lunar New Year and the Yuhuang Pavilion (玉皇阁) Temple Fair on the second day also attracted many tourists who came to Nanjian for blessings. Other major tourist destinations like Wuliang Mountain Sakura Valley (无量山樱花谷), Wuliang Tower Scenic Area (土林无量塔景区), Wuliang Medicinal Valley (无量药谷), and Fenghuang Mountain (凤凰山) became key attractions. Additionally, rural guesthouses became increasingly popular, offering a more eco-tourism oriented experience.

Development of “Holiday Economy”

In recent years, Nanjian County has embraced a market-oriented approach to tourism, promoting the Dragon Lantern Festival, Torch Festival, and other holidays like the Silent Festival (二月八哑巴会), as well as major national holidays such as National Day and Labor Day. Through initiatives like the “China Nanjian Jumping Vegetable Art Festival and Wuliang Mountain Cherry Blossom Festival”, and targeted promotion on platforms like WeChat, Nanjian has successfully highlighted its green landscapes, ethnic culture, and unique tourism products such as Peacock Fishing and Sakura Valley Spring Outings. These efforts have fueled the growth of the “holiday economy,” boosting Nanjian’s economic development.