Love to be in air in Lijiang's Old Town

Beautiful natural scenery and a unique ethnic culture make Lijiang's Old Town a top romantic destination for couples all over the world.

On Aug 28, Lijiang's Old Town announced its plan to host a blind dating cultural festival for the second time from Oct 6 to 8 under the theme of "Love in the Old Town of Lijiang".

The three-day event will follow the traditions of the Naxi ethnic group, including a group wedding and wedding anniversary celebration. Activities will also include crooning love ballads, the reciting of romantic poetry and making moon cakes.

Lijiang locals perform a dance during a press conference for the Second Lijiang Blind Dating Culture Festival. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

The event will organize with social media in 10 cities across the country to look for singles aging between 21 to 40 years old. Participants will then attend a series of singing and group dancing activities, similar to what Naxi girls and boys do when they fall in love with someone.

Thirty-three couples will be selected to experience a traditional Naxi wedding, watch grand dancing and singing performances at Yulong Snow Mountain and take part in a Dongba blessing ceremony.

The press conference for the Second Lijiang Blind Dating Culture Festival attracts media attention. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

He Yumiao, general manager of event organizer Lijiang Magpie Custom Culture Co Ltd, introduced that the event will be held every year and will be built into a cultural tourism brand for Lijiang.

He Tang, deputy director of the Protection and Management Bureau of Lijiang's Old Town, said that the event will enrich Lijiang and promote the city's cultural tourism industry.

A Naxi folk artist sings a local song at the press conference for the Second Lijiang Blind Dating Culture Festival. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

Edited by Zachary Dye