LIANGSHAN, China, Aug. 01, 2025 — The Liangshan Yi Torch Festival 2025, hosted by the People’s Government of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, is being grandly celebrated in Xichang City, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture from July 11 to August 18. This “carnival of the orient,” celebrated across 17 counties and cities, has put Liangshan Prefecture in the spotlight with its vibrant, interactive, and unique folk customs and performances.
On the evening of July 18, a crowd of 245,000 witnessed the fiery spectacle of the Liangshan Yi Torch Festival. Along a 4.8-km stretch of Hangtian Avenue in Xichang City, 88 bonfires blazed simultaneously. Yi people in elaborate attire, alongside visitors from all over, lit their torches, illuminating the night sky with song and dance, creating an atmosphere of undeniable joy and excitement.
Xichang resident Ebi Aming commented, “It’s wonderful to see my hometown developing so quickly and everyone enjoying themselves. Dancing with visitors from across the country is a joy. We also want to promote our traditional culture.”
The Torch Festival’s energy continues after the opening ceremony. Utilizing unique local resources, various areas of Liangshan Prefecture are hosting related activities at different times, including horse racing in Butuo County, an Yi ethnic costume runway show in Zhaojue County, and demonstrations of traditional Yi wedding ceremonies. The entire festival will span a full month.
From dance performances and folk customs tours to the sale of local agricultural products, intangible cultural heritage items, and regional delicacies, the festival offers a wide array of events and experiences for both locals and visitors. A visitor from Chongqing city noted that they initially came just for the Torch Festival but were pleasantly surprised by the additional memories and experiences gained.
Data indicates that from July 11 to July 24, the 17 counties and cities in Liangshan Prefecture welcomed 8.1074 million visitors, a 29.19% increase compared to the same period last year. Tourism revenue reached 7.042 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 20.01%.
The Yi people are the sixth-largest ethnic group in China, and the Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture is home to the country’s largest Yi community. The Yi Torch Festival, a traditional festival and a national-level intangible cultural heritage, is a millennium-old tradition that embodies the passionate and positive attitude towards life, and the simple yet profound concept of existence.
Source: The People’s Government of Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture
CONTACT: Contact person: Ms. Hou, Tel: 86-10-63074558
