A "twin festival" celebrated in the Mojiang Hani Autonomous County of southwest China's Yunnan Province is attracting many visitors to the county during the May Day holiday running from May 1 to 5.
Over 1,000 multiple births from around the world have gathered in the small county, known as the Home of Twins, and participated in parades for the annual festival.
"It's amazing. We are having a wonderful time," said one foreign participant in the grand twin parade.
"We never saw this, much of twins, before," said another.
Located along the Tropic of Cancer, Mojiang has long been known for its high rate of twin births. This unique natural phenomenon has become the heart of the county's tourism appeal, attracting tourists from across China and beyond.
Beyond being the "home of twins", Mojiang also boasts unique ethnic culture and distinctive local food.
One of its liveliest traditions is a grand open-air feast called "long-street banquet". During major festivals, local families line the streets with long rows of tables, gathering together to share food, music and laughter.
During this year's twin festival, around 1,000 tables were set up, offering visitors a closer look at distinctive Hani cuisine and centuries-old traditions.
"Big cities aren't necessarily what everyone is looking for. The unique charm of small counties, like the twin culture here and the local ethnic traditions are what really attract us. When we saw the beautiful Hani ethnic costumes, we were really drawn to them," said Guo Haiyan, a Chinese tourist.
"The Mojiang Hani People have welcomed us with smiles, with claps and with pictures. And we want to come next year," said Lisa Horton, an American tourist.
With the development of signature cultural events, Mojiang has seen a steady rise in tourism in recent years, with visitor numbers growing from two million in 2021 to about 6.5 million last year.
"We plan to turn festival highlights like the long-street banquet and cultural parades into regular tourism experiences across scenic spots and towns. This way, visitors can come not only during the May Day holiday, but throughout the year to experience Mojiang's unique culture with family and friends," said Cheng Lingchao, vice director of Mojiang's cultural and tourism bureau.
This year's twin festival is being held from May 1 to 5, coinciding the May Day holiday period.
Twin festival lures tourists in southwest China's Yunnan
