The 2026 Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture & Tourism Festival officially opened on July 24 at Yuke Grassland in Daofu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China. The event, which runs through July 26, features a diverse array of activities including nomadic culture performances, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) exhibitions, and folk customs experiences, blending traditional nomadic life with modern cultural tourism development.
The opening ceremony transformed Yuke Grassland into a natural stage, where local herders drove cattle across the vast grasslands while carrying black yak-hair tents traditionally used by Kham pastoralists and holding urdah—traditional stone-throwing ropes used for livestock management. These scenes vividly recreated the millennia-old nomadic lifestyle of Kham communities, who have historically followed seasonal migration routes in search of water and pasture. A grand procession of heavy cavalry and legendary Gesar riders followed, with riders in traditional attire galloping across the grassland. A vibrant parade of ethnic costumes showcased pulu—a traditional Tibetan handwoven wool textile—alongside modern tailoring designs, highlighting the fusion of ancient culture and contemporary fashion.
“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,” said Mr. Zhang, a visitor from Beijing. “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. 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—such as 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 the event took place, is located in northwestern Sichuan Province and enjoys 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, underscoring the economic and cultural significance of such festivals.
