Alkaline spring in Lijiang, at maximum strength, adds to lixia celebrations

Villagers in traditional costumes sing a folk song at the festival. [Photo by He Hongyan/xinhuanet.com]

Lanxiang, a village famous for its alkaline spring in Lijiang city, Yunnan province hosted its 7th folk culture festival on May 3.

People from seven neighboring towns of the village wearing traditional Bai, Yi and Naxi ethnic costumes came round to the Laojun Mountain, enjoying the alkaline spring and performances.

Troupes from six towns including Shitou and Shigu in Yulong Naxi autonomous county as well as singers from Dali and Lijiang put on 14 shows, including folk songs and dances.

Visitors collect water from the alkaline spring which is considered good for health. [Photo by He Hongyan/xinhuanet.com]

The alkalinity of the spring is considered to be at its highest around the beginning of summer, or lixia, which is one of the 24 solar terms in the Chinese lunar calendar and falls on May 6 this year.

Local people hold that the alkaline spring water is good for health and every year they host the event to celebrate lixia and relax themselves.

The festival coincided with a singing competition of the city's Bai ethnic group. Competitors took part in more than 40 sub-contests in the singing competition.

The singing competition and the folk art festival are becoming tourism brands, said Yang Zhikun, Party chief of Shitou town, adding that the town plans to build 20 to 50 sauna rooms and a large swimming pool to further promote folk culture and local tourism resources.

Children perform traditional folk musical instruments at the opening ceremony. [Photo by He Hongyan/xinhuanet.com]

Children perform traditional folk musical instruments at the opening ceremony. [Photo by He Hongyan/xinhuanet.com]