A series of grand folk celebration activities have been staged in a county in Zunyi City, southwest China's Guizhou Province, to greet the upcoming year of 2026.
The festivities in Yuqing County kicked off with a traditional folk performance parade. Lion and dragon dancers led the procession, followed by residents from the county and neighboring areas dressed in folk minority costumes, singing and dancing along the street.
Groups presenting programs listed as provincial intangible cultural heritage marched in formations, exchanging festive greetings with spectators. Their dazzling costumes and distinctive performances drew cheers from the watching crowds.
The parade culminated at a grand stage, where Yuqing County launched its weekly dance contest party, which is a tourism project developed in recent years as a regular gathering for dance lovers. Held every Saturday, the party is free for dance fans to display their skills and has grown into a widely popular cultural event for the local community and outside tourists.
"I've come with my schoolmates today and we'd dance Blooming Flowers and Full Moon, greeting the New Year with our beautiful movements. We wish everyone a Happy New Year," said Xu Tingyu, a participant.
The evening reached its peak as fireworks lit up the sky. Performers then joined the audience around a bonfire, dancing together to express their anticipation for the year ahead.
"I wish for myself in 2026 smooth work, good health, and everyone peace, safety and happiness," said Zhou Chan, an audience member.
Folk art parade in Guizhou county greets 2026
Panchen Erdeni Chos-kyi rGyal-po, more commonly known as Panchen Rinpoche and a leader of Tibetan Buddhism, has completed a six-month tour of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, during which he performed regular duties, conducted research and surveys, and participated in various Buddhist and social activities.
During his tour, Panchen Rinpoche, a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice president of the Buddhist Association of China, attended celebrations marking the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Xizang Autonomous Region in the regional capital Lhasa in August.
He then visited the prefecture-level cities of Qamdo, Nagqu, and Xigaze to conduct field research, gaining insights into rural revitalization, the development of harmonious and beautiful highland villages, and the advancement of Tibetan medicine.
He also traveled to Dingri County in Xigaze to learn about post-quake reconstruction progress and assess local residents' living conditions after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit the county in January.
At the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Xigaze, his traditional seat, Panchen Rinpoche presided over the Kalachakra (wheel of time) ritual and attended both the 30th-anniversary commemoration of his enthronement and a symposium on the reincarnation system of Tibetan Buddhist Living Buddhas.
Over the past three decades since his enthronement, Panchen Rinpoche has upheld Tibetan Buddhism's proud tradition of patriotism and devotion to faith. His Buddhist scholarship has grown ever more profound, earning him deep affection and respect from monastics and devotees alike.
He has made significant contributions to promoting ethnic unity, religious harmony, and Xizang's social stability and development.
As president of the Xizang branch of the Buddhist Association of China, Panchen Rinpoche also convened a series of work meetings of the branch, visited major monasteries including the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, and held extensive discussions with leaders and practitioners across the Tibetan Buddhist community.
He encouraged monastics to actively engage in the new journey toward Chinese modernization, and to play a greater role in advancing the adaptation of Tibetan Buddhism to socialist society, fostering a stronger sense of the Chinese nation as one community, and jointly writing a new chapter for a more beautiful Xizang.
Panchen Rinpoche concludes six-month tour of Xizang
