Torch Festival: A Blazing Spectacle of Flames and Festivity in Southwest China

Behold the breathtaking display of fire and celebration in southwest China!

The Torch Festival is a major celebration among the Yi, Bai, and several other ethnic groups primarily in Yunnan, Guizhou, and Sichuan. While the festival dates vary among different ethnic groups, it is generally observed on the 20th day of the sixth month in the Chinese lunar calendar. This year, the festival falls on July 18. In places like Liangshan in Sichuan and Chuxiong in Yunnan, locals often enjoy dedicated public holidays to immerse themselves in this unique festival fully.

In this region, the traditional worship of fire has been practiced for thousands of years, with the belief that fire can ward off disasters and pests, bringing luck and joy.