Deemed "the oriental carnival", the Torch Festival is celebrated by several ethnic minorities including the Yi, Bai, Naxi, Jinuo and Lahu etc. Enjoying a long history as an important festival of these minorities, the festival exhibits quite profound cultural connotations. 

Although the origin of the festival is slightly different among these minorities, it takes place on lunar 24/25 June. Usually a wide variety of folk activities are organised for the festival, such as bull (buffalo) fighting, goat fighting, rooster fighting, horse racing, wrestling, beauty pageant, and singing and dancing etc. 

In Yunnan Province, Kunming, Chuxiong, Dali, Yuxi, Wenshan, Puer, Honghe, Lijiang and Zhaotong are the major areas for the Torch Festival as they are inhabited by the Yi or Bai people. Here are the main places recommended to experience the festival. 

Yunnan Nationalities Village (13 km from Kunming downtown)

Date: 1-9 August

Place: Kunming

A major park to experience the Torch Festival, Yunnan Nationalities Village is one of must-visit places in Kunming. During the festival in the park, the grand cultural show The Call of Plateau will be premiered.

Shilin County (90 km from Kunming downtown)

Shilin (normally known for the Stone Forest) is the most popular destination for the Yi ethnic Torch Festival around Kunming. During the Festival, Shilin will be highlighted by a large variety of cultural performances the schedule of which goes as below:

Gala Evening

Date: 20:00-22:00, 8 August

Place: Minzu Stadium, Shilin County, Kunming

Torch Carnival

Date: 20:00-23:30, 8 August

Place: Shuanglong Square, Ashima Tourist Town and the No.1 Yi Village, Shilin County, Kunming

Opening Ceremony and Fire-worshipping Ceremony

Date: 13:00-14:00, 8 August

Place: Stadium of Changhu Town, Shilin County, Kunming

Fire-making Ceremony Presided by Yi Ethnic Priests

Date: .09:00-10:00, 6 August

Place: Guishan Forest Park, Shilin County, Kunming

Bull Fighting

Date: 14:30-18:30, 8 August

Place: Stadium of Changhu Town, Shilin County, Kunming

Bull Fighting

Date: 6-8 August

Place: Yatai Bull-fighting Arena, Guishan Town, Shilin County, Kunming

Bull Fighting

Date: 7-9 August

Place: No.1 Yi Village, Shilin County, Kunming

Wrestling

Date: 14:00-18:00, 9 August

Place: Stadium of Changhu Town, Shilin County, Kunming

Wrestling (Women)

Date: 13:30-18:30, 8 August

Place: Xijiekou Town, Shilin County, Kunming

Dancing and Singing Show/ Competition

Date: 14:00-18:00, 6-7August; 20:00-22:00, 6 August

Place: Minzu Stadium, Shilin County, Kunming

Dancing and Singing Show

Date: 14:00-16:00, 6 August

Place: Shuanglong Square, Shilin County, Kunming

Folk Songs Singing Competition

Date: 14:00-18:30, 8 August

Place: Changhu Lake Scenic Area, Shilin County, Kunming

Yunnan State-level Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition/Show

Date: 7-8 August

Place: Visitors Centre of the Stone Forest, Shilin County, Kunming

Show of Traditional Wedding Ceremony and Sani Ethnic Opera

Date: 5 August

Place: Danuohei Village, Guishan Town, Shilin County, Kunming

In addition, visitors can go to the Xinglin Park which will be highlighted by the exhibition of medicinal food culture, bonfire parties, horse racing, and  the 2nd “Shilin Cup” CS Tournament joined by players from Yunnan, Chongqing, Guizhou and Sichuan.

Transport

Bus ride from Kunming Northeast Bus Station to Shilin County

Yi People's Ancient Town, Chuxiong (155 km form Kunming)

Date: 7-16 August

Place: the entire prefecture of Chuxiong, and the ancient town is the best 

Chuxiong in Central Yunnan is the largest Yi-inhabited area in Yunnan Province, with its capital town being Chuxiong city which is about 150 km from Kunming. The Yi people account for nearly 30% of the total of that of Chuxiong Prefecture.

Constructed in the 2000s though, the Yi People's Ancient Town is home to a great number of cultural sites which include the Solar Calendar Park and Chuxiong Prefectural Museum etc. What is worth mentioning is that the Left-foot Dance of Chuxiong's Yi people is unique in China.

Transport

Bus ride from Kunming West Bus Station

Dali (335 km from Kunming)

Date: 9 August

Place recommended: Dali Old Town, Weishan County, and Xizhou Town, Zhoucheng Village, Jianchuan County, Nanjian County, Heqing County, Binchuan County etc.

Different from the Yi people, the Bai ethnic Torch Festival takes place one day later, i.e. on 25 lunar June. Originating from the historical story the Burning-down of Pinewood Pavilion during the Nanzhao Kingdom Period, the Bai ethnic Torch Festival is said to be in memory of Ms Bai Jie who was the wife of the Dengdang Tribal chieftan murdered by Pi Luoge in the fire. In Dali, every Bai village makes a huge Torch on which are hung assorted sacrifices such as candies and fruits etc. The Buddhists will chant in front of the Torch to exorcise and pray for good luck and bumper harvest. 

The 6th Dali International Photo Exhibition (5-10 August) is to synchronise with the Torch Festival.

Transport

(1)-Flight from Kunming to Dali

(2)-Bus ride from Kunming West Bus Station

(3)-Train ride from Kunming Railway Station

E'shan County (120 km from Kunming)

Date: 8-10 August

Place: E'shan County seat

Another place to experience the grand Torch Festival is E'shan County in Central Yunnan. 120 km from Kunming, E'shan