The grand Torch Festival of the people of Yi ethnic group is in full swing in Shilin Yi Autonomous County, southwest China's Yunnan Province, with festivities continuing until July 23.
The county's urban squares and streets glow with warm firelight as locals dressed in traditional costumes play the dasanxian, a three-stringed lute, while performing spirited folk dances that escalate the celebratory atmosphere.
"This instrument is exclusively played by men in Shilin. During our grand festivals, we always pluck the dasanxian (three-stringed traditional Chinese lute) and dance the 'dasanxian dance'," said Ang Zhaoqiong, an ethnographic scholar.
Beyond the large bonfire dances, many participants carry torches in a tradition called "playing with fire." The flames symbolize warding off misfortune and praying for a bountiful harvest.
Even after the torches burn out, the excitement continues -- the leftover charcoal becomes a key prop for the next round of festivities. Smearing the ash on others' faces represents blessings, with more smearing signifying greater fortune and prosperity.
"Everyone joins in smearing -- get smeared once and you're covered in black! It's so much fun -- it represents blessings. Really enjoyable!" said Jiang Jingying, a tourist from Qujing, Yunnan.
"The face-smearing -- the more you get smeared, the more blessings you receive. It's so lively and exciting. I feel really happy!" added fellow Qujing visitor Li Yuhang.
No festival is complete without food, and the Torch Festival's highlight is the "hotpot feast" made with local black goat and yellow cattle. Simmered in large iron pots, the tender meat is served with a dipping sauce of dried chili, Sichuan pepper, salt, scallions, and mint.
"The hotpot here is absolutely top-notch, first-class! The local black goat has an exceptional flavor -- authentic, original, and full of ethnic character," said Li Wu, a tourist from east China's Shandong Province.
Torch festival illuminates Shilin with ethnic traditions, joyous celebrations
