Dali Festivals and Events

Dali Festivals and Events introduce a brief introduction of festivals and activities and tell travelers Top Things to Do for Dali festivals Tours and important Dali events and activities including Exhibition, Conference, Trade Show, Expositions and Trade Fairs.

As the prominent nationality inhabited in Dali region, Bai ethnic minority created brilliant culture and customs, among which the unique traditional festivals of Bai people enjoy good fame and attract tourists home and abroad to visit.

‣ Visiting Three Spirits

● Time: Lunar April 23rd to 25th

Visiting Three Spirits is a grand big festival held by Bai people to pray for rain and luck and worship their patron god. The custom can date back to more than 1000 years ago and is inherited by generations of Bai people. The festival lasts for three days. On the first day, people tour Chongsheng Temple, a Buddhist capital, and Patron God Temple, a divine capital in Xizhou. People entertain themselves through the whole night by singing and dancing. On the following day, they go round Jingui Temple, a celestial capital beside the Erhai Lake, and sing and dance for the whole night. On the third day, they go around Patron God Temple in Majiuyi along the bank to pray for blessings. 

‣ Third Month Fair(March Fair)

● Time: Lunar March 15th to 21st

The Third Month, dated back to the Tang Dynasty, falls from the 15th to 21st of the third lunar month. It was developed from a temple fair of Goddess of Mercy to commercial market. Apart from exchanges of goods, it is also an occasion for ethnic theatrical performances, horse racing and other events. It has been designated as the Ethnic Festival of Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture since January 1991.

‣ Singing Contest in the Shibao Mountain

● Time: Lunar July 26th to August 1st

This singing contest in held from 26th day of the seventh lunar month to 1st of the eighth lunar month when the Bai people wear ehnic attire, sing in antiphony, and play three-stringed plucked instruments in the shape of a dragon's head.