Over 250,000 people gathered on Friday night to celebrate the annual Liangshan Yi Torch Festival in Xichang City, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Sichuan Province. The three-day festival opened with vibrant Yi ethnic song and dance performances, showcasing the unique culture and traditions of the Yi people.
The festivities reached a fiery climax as an avenue spanning over 4.8 kilometers was illuminated with 88 bonfires. Tens of thousands of visitors joined locals dressed in traditional Yi attire, dancing to folk songs around the roaring flames. The spectacle highlighted the Yi people’s deep reverence for fire, a symbol of their cultural heritage.
Liangshan is home to the majority of the Yi people, one of China’s 56 recognized ethnic groups. The Torch Festival, typically held on the 24th or 25th day of the sixth lunar month, is the most significant celebration for the Yi community. Recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006, the festival embodies prayers for safety, abundant harvests, and harmony between communities and nature.
This year’s grand event not only preserved the rich traditions of the Yi people but also attracted visitors worldwide, fostering cultural exchange and mutual appreciation. As the flames danced against the night sky, the Liangshan Yi Torch Festival once again lit up southwest China with its warmth and vibrant spirit.
