Torch Festival

24 Jul 2012 - 26 Jul 2012
Place: Lijiang Old Town and Ninglang County

The origins of the Torch Festival can be traced back to the Nanzhao Kingdom when the wife of a man burned to death by the King, expressed her distaste for the King's proposition, and her passion, by leaping into a fire.  It is predominantly a Yi minority Festival, but is now also celebrated by the Naxi and Bai minorities, normally held on the 24th at the sixth month of lunar calendar

In the evening fire torches are lit in front of houses, on the street and in the squares of the Lijiang old town. Flowers sometimes adorn the torches. There are other activities throughout the day including wrestling, horse-racing and singing contests (some of these animal activities may be upsetting to some).