Sichuan Ganzi Festival Showcases Nomadic Culture and Tourism

The 2026 Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture & Tourism Festival opened on July 24 at Yuke Grassland in Daofu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. This year's festival, organized by local authorities, showcases the region's unique nomadic culture through a diverse range of activities, including nomadic culture performances, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) exhibitions, and folk customs experiences. The event has attracted numerous visitors eager to experience the charm of grassland culture. The opening ceremony transformed Yuke Grassland into a natural stage, with local herders driving cattle across the vast grasslands, carrying black yak-hair tents traditionally used by Kham pastoralists and holding urdah—traditional stone-throwing ropes. The scenes vividly recreated the millennia-old nomadic lifestyle of Kham communities. A grand procession of heavy cavalry and legendary Gesar riders in traditional attire galloped across the grassland, followed by a vibrant parade of ethnic costumes featuring pulu—a traditional Tibetan handwoven wool textile—alongside modern tailoring designs, highlighting the blending of ancient culture and modern fashion.

Mr. Zhang, a visitor from Beijing, shared his emotional experience: 'As the scenes of nomadic migration gradually unfolded before my eyes, a long-lost yearning for a simpler pastoral life suddenly welled up within me. My whole family loves the grassland lifestyle in Daofu. It is something you cannot experience in the city.' The Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture & Tourism Festival has been successfully held for seven editions. Running through July 26, this year's festival features eight major events, including the opening ceremony, the Ganzi 1,000-person ICH livestream showcase, and the fashion-inspired Guozhuang gala. Additionally, a range of grassland market activities—including ICH workshops, local produce exhibitions, local food tasting, and music-themed leisure gatherings—are being held in parallel, offering visitors an immersive cultural experience.

Daofu County, where this event took place, is situated in northwestern Sichuan Province with an average summer temperature of around 24°C. The county boasts a remarkable blend of natural landscapes—including Yala Snow Mountain, Stone Forest Park, Yuke Grassland, alpine meadows, and Tianlong Lake—and cultural heritage, such as Kham traditions and the Highland Silk Road. From July 2021 to June 2026, Daofu County received a cumulative total of 10.4123 million tourists, generating nearly 11.454 billion yuan in tourism revenue. This festival not only promotes the Media OutReach Newswire coverage of the event but also underscores the region's commitment to integrating nomadic culture with modern tourism development.