Guilin's Sanyuesan festivities showcase ethnic heritage, cultural vitality

Counties of Guilin erupted in a vibrant celebration of the Sanyuesan Festival in mid-April, offering a rich tapestry of ethnic heritage, immersive tourism, and rural vitalization that drew crowds of domestic and international visitors.

In Longsheng, the ancient Red Yao culture took center stage in Huangluo Yao Village. The event featured a sacred coming-of-age ceremony for young women and the mesmerizing sight of hundreds of Yao women unfurling their legendary long hair by the river.

A fashion show blending indigo-dyeing traditions with international participation highlighted the area's unique approach to cultural preservation and tourism.

The Long Hair Festival in Huangluo, Longsheng attracts foreign tourists eager to try singing "Descendants of the Dragon". [Photo provided to guangxi.chinadaily.com.cn/guilin]

Xiufeng district launched its 15th Folk Song Fair, merging tradition with modernity through over 60 events. The opening event featured ancient Nuo dance and Hanfu parades, and the festival innovated with a digital AI-powered heritage scavenger hunt and a months-long street basketball tournament designed to attract younger crowds. The district successfully turned scenic spots like Jingjiang Prince Mansion into immersive, interactive stages for national culture.

In Lingchuan county, the focus was on immersive folk experiences. Visitors were invited to step into reenactments of traditional rural life, from participating in a mock village wedding complete with games and a communal feast to joining farmers in a terraced field for a ritual "opening of the rice seedlings". Other activities, including demonstrations of ancient oil-pressing and solemn dragon worship ceremonies, provided a hands-on connection to agrarian customs and local beliefs. 

The Golden Dragon Parade in Yangshuo, Guilin. [Photo provided to guangxi.chinadaily.com.cn/guilin]

Yangshuo county delivered one of the festival's most iconic highlights. Its famed "Golden Dragon Parade", which features a kilometer-long illuminated dragon gliding down the Yulong River, served as a spectacular centerpiece. This year's event was further enriched by a cultural exchange activity, featuring a joint performance by Guangdong's powerful Yingge dance troupe and Guangxi's Bronze Drum dancers. The county also buzzed with folk parades, long-table banquets, and singing competitions, all set against its world-renowned karst landscapes.

International guests in Yangshuo learn the Yingge dance. [Photo provided to guangxi.chinadaily.com.cn/guilin]

These synchronized celebrations across Guilin illustrate a broader trend of drawing on traditional festivals to drive cultural tourism and rural vitalization, turning tradition into a dynamic, living experience.