Parades, Horse racing, Bullfighting Light Up Torch Festival in Sichuan

A series of activities took place in Yuexi county, Liangshan Yi autonomous prefecture, Sichuan province, from Sunday to Tuesday to celebrate Torch Festival, the grandest traditional celebration of the Yi ethnic group.

The event kicked off with a themed parade, where residents from across the county, dressed in traditional Yi attire, marched in township teams showcasing local specialties and traditional crafts—from organic highland produce to exquisite embroidered accessories and lacquerware. Traditional folk competitions followed, drawing roaring crowds with fierce horse racing, bullfighting, sheep fighting, and wrestling.

The highlight was the "Starlight over the Terraced Fields" torch show, set against the breathtaking backdrop of Puxiong's layered rice paddies. Following displays of Yi embroidery and traditional song and dance performances, tens of thousands of torches placed across the fields were lit one after another, creating a stunning rural nightscape. Ancient rituals were held to welcome, honor, and bid farewell to the fire, in keeping with the Yi people's millennia-old fire culture.

Date: August 2 – August 4, 2026
Location: Yuexi County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province