Bouyei cultural celebration held in Wudang district

On April 19 – also the third day of the third month (or sanyuesan in Chinese) on the Chinese calendar – an ethnic cultural celebration was held in Longjiao village, Xinbao Bouyei township, Wudang district. Local residents of the Bouyei ethnic group dressed in festive traditional costumes, singing and dancing to celebrate the Bouyei people's traditional "Sanyuesan" Festival.

Visitors experience bamboo pole dancing during the event. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

At the entrance to the village cultural square, Bouyei villagers welcomed guests with rice wine and traditional mountain songs. Inside the square, performances such as stick dancing, bamboo pole dancing, and dragon dance parades attracted visitors eager to capture the lively scenes.

"I had a great time today. I experienced the welcoming ceremony with rice wine, joined in bamboo pole dancing, watched dragon and stick dances, and listened to unique Bouyei folk songs," said Ms Yang, a tourist from Shandong. "What impressed me most about Guiyang is that the city is surrounded by forests, and forests even blend into the city. There may not be overwhelmingly grand scenery here, but you definitely won't be disappointed once you come," she added.

The highlight of the event – a village song concert – brought the atmosphere to its peak. On stage, heartfelt Bouyei folk songs and ethnic-style dances showcasing local traditions earned continuous applause from the audience.

One of the most eye-catching attractions was an AI digital singer modeled after a Bouyei girl, who performed live and interacted with the audience through real-time antiphonal folk singing, exploring innovative ways to preserve and promote traditional mountain songs.

In addition to the performances, the event also featured experience zones for Bouyei wedding customs, traditional papermaking, and Bouyei dyeing, as well as a market selling local agricultural specialties such as Bouyei-style fermented tofu, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Bouyei culture and buy local products.