Lijiang celebrates Naxi festival

During the evening, over 1,000 1.5-meter high torches and two huge five-meter high torches were lit to celebrate the festival, while local singers and dancers staged festive performances.

A huge five-meter high torch is lit to celebrate the festival during night time from July 18 to 20. [Photo by Qian Lei/Xinhua]

He Hua, a local official, introduced that the festival has inherited the culture of several local ethnic festivals, and the organized activities are an effective way to carry forward the traditional Chinese virtues of unity and harmony.

He Yuewen, head of Wenlin village, said, "Over 95 percent of the villagers are indigenous residents and the village has been honored as a 'Town of Music and Dance'."

"I hope this activity series can imbue people's memory with Naxi traditions and develop Naxi culture," He added.

Local artists stage a performance of traditional Naxi music. [Photo by Qian Lei/Xinhua]

Edited by Zachary Dye