6 Days Kunming and Chuxiong Torch Festival Celebration Tour

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 24/25 June. In Yunnan Province, Kunming, Chuxiong, Dali, Yuxi, Wenshan, Puer, Honghe, Lijiang and Zhaotong are the major areas for the Torch Festival as they are inhabited by the Yi or Bai people. In this tour, you will fully experience this traditional festival.

Highlights:

• Lost yourself in the joyful atmosphere of Torch Festival.
• Experience and understand the ethnic culture of Yi minority.
• Have a leisure stay in Kunming, stroll in Green Lake Park.

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Brief Itinerary

• Day 1: Kunming Arrival
• Day 2: Kunming-Shilin
• Day 3: Shilin-Chuxiong
• Day 4: Chuxiong
• Day 5: Chuxiong-Kunming
• Day 6: Departure from Kunming

Google Map

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Kunming Arrival

Sightseeing and Activities:

Arrival in Kunming:

• Upon your arrival at Kunming Changshui International Airport, your tour guide and driver will meet you at the airport.

• After a warm welcome, you will be transferred to your hotel in the city center for check-in.

Leisure Time:

• After check-in, the rest of the day is free for leisure. You can take this time to relax or explore Kunming on your own.

• If you’re in the mood for sightseeing, you can visit Green Lake Park or stroll through Kunming's bustling streets to get a glimpse of the city’s local life.

• For dinner, Kunming offers a wide range of local Yunnanese cuisine, including dishes like crossing-the-bridge noodles and steam pot chicken, which you can enjoy at local restaurants.

Accommodation:

Stay overnight in Kunming Downtown at a comfortable hotel.

Meals:

None (This is a free day for you to explore and enjoy meals at your leisure).

Day 2 Kunming-Shilin

Sightseeing and Activities: Activities of Torch Festival in Shilin County
Accommodation: Shilin
Meals: Breakfast and lunch

After breakfast, we will drive 1.5 hours to Shilin County to join different kinds of activities held there. The Torch Festival or Fire Festival (火把节) is one of the main festivals of the Yi people in southwest China, and is also celebrated by other ethnic groups of the region.

You could choose the preferable activity and time to enjoy the day.

Activities as follow:
9:00-10:00 Torch-light Ceremony by Bimo at Gui Mountain National Park
13:00-22:18:30 Bull Fighting Match at the bull-flighting village of Yi people.
13:00-18:30  Asia Traditional Bull Fighting at Gui Mounrain Hai Yi Asia bullring
14:00-18:30 Carnival Activity of Chang Hu A Shi Ma's Culture at Changhu Scenic Spot
14:00-17:00 Folk Customs Show at Danuohei Viilage of Gui Mountain Town.
14:00-17:00 Miao's Flower Festival at Dake Town

Stay overnight in Shilin downtown.

Day 3: Shilin to Chuxiong (Yi Ren Ancient Town)

Sightseeing and Activities:

Morning:

After breakfast at your hotel, we will begin the journey to Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture (approximately 3 hours by car).

Chuxiong is the largest Yi settlement in Yunnan Province and is known for its rich culture and grand Torch Festival celebrations. This is also where you will experience some of the most significant traditions of the Yi people.

Yi Ren Ancient Town:

Upon arrival in Chuxiong, we will visit Yi Ren Ancient Town, a beautifully reconstructed area showcasing the traditional culture of the Yi people.

• The town was built to reflect the Yi ethnic style, and the architecture is inspired by both Yi traditions and Jiangnan gardens (southern Chinese landscapes).

• You will have the opportunity to stroll through the ancient town, which is filled with Yi-style homes, gardens, and temples.

• The town’s central square often hosts traditional performances, including Yi music, song, and dance.

• Yi Ethnic Handicrafts: There will also be local craft stalls, where you can shop for handmade Yi ethnic goods, such as woven fabrics, silver jewelry, and carved wooden sculptures.

• Yi Cuisine: For lunch, you can enjoy traditional Yi dishes, such as roast lamb, spicy stews, and sauces made from local herbs.

Cultural Immersion:

After lunch, continue exploring the town’s cultural offerings.

Yi Music and Dance Performance: You may catch a performance of Yi folk songs or a traditional Yi dance, allowing you to better understand the importance of these arts in Yi culture.

Yi Culture Museum: If time permits, you can visit the Yi Culture Museum, where you can learn more about the history, language, and traditions of the Yi people.

Evening:

After the cultural immersion, you’ll have some free time to relax or explore more of the town.

In the evening, you can stroll through the ancient town, enjoy the evening ambiance, or visit local markets to experience the life of the Yi people.

Accommodation:

Stay overnight in Chuxiong. A cozy, local-style hotel will give you a chance to experience the Yi region up close.

Meals:

Breakfast and Lunch (Traditional Yi cuisine in the town)

Day 4: Chuxiong Torch Festival Activities

Sightseeing and Activities:

Morning:

• After breakfast at your hotel, we will head to the main Torch Festival venues in Chuxiong, where you will join local residents and visitors from around the world to celebrate this vibrant festival.

• The Torch Festival is the most significant cultural event for the Yi people and is celebrated with lively performances, traditional competitions, and rituals. You will experience the cultural heart of Yunnan during this celebration.

Torch Festival Highlights:

• Horse Racing: Watch the Yi people's exciting horse racing competition. This is one of the most thrilling and ancient traditions, where skilled riders race their horses across a designated course.

• Bull Fighting: The Yi people have a long history of bull fighting as part of their Torch Festival celebrations. You’ll witness the bulls in action in ceremonial combat, a powerful and intense display of strength.

• Sheep Fighting: Another traditional event is sheep fighting, where specially trained sheep face off in a playful but competitive battle. This is unique to the Yi culture and one of the most fun and unusual spectacles at the festival.

• Dongjing Concert: Enjoy a Dongjing concert, which is a Yi ethnic musical performance featuring traditional instruments like the suona (a double-reed horn) and drums.

• Yi Long Street Banquet: Part of the celebration involves a Yi long street banquet, where locals and tourists gather to enjoy Yi dishes such as roast lamb, spicy vegetables, and other delicious local food served in large quantities.

• Bonfire Party: As night falls, the Torch Festival continues with a bonfire ceremony, where the Yi people gather around a large bonfire to sing traditional Yi songs and perform dances. The bonfire symbolizes prosperity, good harvest, and the spirit of the Yi people.

• Cultural Performances: Enjoy Yi traditional dance performances, where dancers wear colorful Yi ethnic costumes and perform ancient dances. Additionally, there are folk songs and Yi original ecological dances.

Evening:

• After participating in the festival activities throughout the day, you'll have the option to join in a local celebration or simply relax and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of the festival grounds.

• The evening is filled with laughter, songs, dances, and much camaraderie as locals and tourists unite to celebrate this joyful occasion.

Accommodation:

Stay overnight in Chuxiong, allowing you to fully experience the Torch Festival's vibrant energy.

Meals:

Breakfast and Lunch (Enjoy a Yi-style feast during the festival)

Day 5: Chuxiong to Kunming (Green Lake Park)

Sightseeing and Activities:

Morning:

• After breakfast at your hotel, spend the morning at leisure in Chuxiong. You may wish to explore the local market, take a stroll around the town, or simply relax and soak in the Torch Festival atmosphere one last time.

• By 10:00 AM, we will begin our drive back to Kunming (approximately 2 hours by car).

Afternoon:

• Upon arrival in Kunming, we will visit Green Lake Park, one of the most picturesque and popular parks in the city.

• Green Lake Park is known for its tea houses, handicraft boutiques, and peaceful lake setting. It is a local favorite where residents come to practice tai chi, perform local opera, and engage in other cultural activities.

• If you're visiting in November or December, you’ll have the opportunity to see migrating red-beaked seagulls that travel from Siberia to the lake for the winter.

• You can also enjoy a traditional tea ceremony or purchase souvenirs such as local paintings, handmade crafts, and tea at the various small shops around the park.

Evening:

• After visiting Green Lake Park, you’ll have some free time to explore Kunming’s vibrant streets.

• If you’re interested in more cultural experiences, you can visit Kunming’s Flower and Bird Market or have a relaxing evening at one of the local cafes or restaurants, sampling Yunnanese cuisine.

Accommodation:

Stay overnight in Kunming.

Meals:

Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Departure from Kunming

Sightseeing and Activities:

Morning:

• Depending on your flight time, you will have the morning free to relax or enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. You may want to visit any final spots in the city, such as Flower and Bird Market or Yunnan Provincial Museum, if time permits.

• Our guide will assist you with the transfer to Kunming Changshui International Airport for your departure.

Meals:

• Breakfast

Accommodation:

None (Based on your flight schedule)

Recommended Hotels

Service Included:

• Accommodation with daily breakfast as indicated in the hotel list as below;
• Meals as listed in the itinerary;
• All land transfers & transportation with private air-conditioned coach;
• All transfers and sightseeing with skilled English-speaking tour guide;
• All entrance fees as mentioned in the itinerary;
• Domestic air tickets fares with airport tax and fuel extra fee based on economy class mentioned in the program;
• Service charge and all government taxes;
• Luggage transfers between airport and hotels;
• Travel Agency's Responsibility Insurance coverage.

Service Excluded:

• Any arrival and departure international airfares or train tickets;
• Any meals which are not specified in the tour itinerary;
• Chinese visa fees;
• Excess baggage charged by Airlines;
• Single room supplement;
• Tips to guides and drivers;
• Personal expenses and gratuities to service staff;
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• Personal travel accident insurance;
• All optional programs.

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