Lijiang celebrates traditional Sanduo Festival

The Sanduo Festival is a traditional festival of the Naxi people in which they worship their ethnic patron saint Sanduo, who guides and protects the Naxi people during times of need.

The festival fell on March 14 this year, when people of all ethnic groups from throughout Lijiang, Southwest China's Yunnan province, gathered at Sanduo Pavilion, Baisha town, Yulong Naxi autonomous county.

A band made up of performers of Naxi traditional instruments celebrates this year's Sanduo Festival with a musical performance. [Photo by He Hongyan/xinhuanet.com]

In addition to cultural performances, a series of other activities will be held as well, including a traditional temple fair, a Sanduo culture forum, a business exchange activity, and a bonsai exhibition. Activities will run until March 20.

Locals journey to Sanduo Pavilion for worship and blessings. [Photo He Hongyan/xinhuanet.com]

The festival dates back more than 1,200 years and has evolved into a large cultural event consisting of singing and dancing, temple fairs, flower-viewing activities, and the trading of agricultural commodities. It was listed as a Yunnan intangible cultural heritage item in 2009.

Blooming camellia attracts many visitors. [Photo He Hongyan/xinhuanet.com]