The 2026 Kaichang Festival of Liannan Yao Autonomous County will take place on August 15 at Xinzhai Village, Damaishan Town, Liannan Yao Autonomous County (连南瑶族自治县大麦山镇新寨村), Qingyuan City.
Falling on the seventh day of the seventh month of the lunar calendar, the Kaichang Festival is a time-honored traditional celebration of the Yao ethnic group in Liannan. The event features traditional rituals, folk singing and dancing, local delicacies and a range of interactive activities, allowing visitors to dive deep into the distinctive Yao culture and rural life.
1. Opening Ceremony & Blessing Ritual
2:30–3:30 p.m.| Cultural Square
The festival kicks off with a sacred traditional Yao blessing ceremony, followed by ethnic performances including the Yao long-drum dance and Pai Yao folk ballads.
2. Wooden Raft Poling Competition
3:40–4:20 p.m. | Xinzhai River
Local villagers form teams to compete in a lively wooden raft poling competition, showcasing a traditional water skill along the Xinzhai River.
3. Bamboo Raft Ballads
4:30–5:20 p.m. | Xinzhai River
Unmarried young Yao men, locally known as A'guige, drift down the river on bamboo rafts while singing classic Yao love ballads. Tourists are welcome to join in the open-air antiphonal singing session.
4. Interactive Activities
Watermelon Grab
5:20–6:10 p.m. | Xinzhai River
Up to 200 participants can sign up on site. The game runs in 4 5-minute rounds, with 50 participants per round. Participants must grab the watermelons by hand, and each person may take one watermelon home as a prize.
Duck Catching
5:20–6:10 p.m. | Xinzhai River
With 200 spots available, this activity is split into 5 rounds of 40 participants each. Once the gong rings, 30 live ducks will be released into the muddy water, and each participant will have the chance to catch and keep one duck (at most).
5. Bonfire Party & Fireworks
7:30–8:30 p.m. | Xinzhai River
As night falls, Yao ethnic performers will lead visitors in traditional circle dances around a bonfire, accompanied by a fireworks display.
6. Ethnic Specialty Street Fair
10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. | Village Committee Square
Open throughout the daytime, the market invites visitors to sample Yao snacks, shop for fresh local farm produce as well as explore ethnic cultural and creative handicrafts.
Author | He Fengyu
Photos | Nanfang Plus
