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. The event, which runs through July 26, features nomadic culture performances, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) exhibitions, and folk customs experiences, offering visitors an immersive look into the region's millennia-old Kham nomadic traditions.
The opening ceremony transformed Yuke Grassland into a natural stage as local herders drove cattle across the grasslands, carrying black yak-hair tents and holding urdah—traditional stone-throwing ropes used by Tibetan herders for livestock management. A grand procession of heavy cavalry and 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 blend 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."
Now in its seventh edition, the festival includes eight major events such as the opening ceremony, the Ganzi 1,000-person ICH livestream showcase, and a fashion-inspired Guozhuang gala. Parallel activities like ICH workshops, local produce exhibitions, food tasting, and music-themed leisure gatherings provide an immersive cultural experience for attendees.
Daofu County, located in northwestern Sichuan with an average summer temperature of around 24°C, boasts natural attractions such as Yala Snow Mountain, Stone Forest Park, Yuke Grassland, alpine meadows, and Tianlong Lake, alongside cultural heritage sites tied to Kham traditions and the Highland Silk Road. From July 2021 to June 2026, the county received a cumulative total of 10.4123 million tourists, generating nearly 11.454 billion yuan in tourism revenue. This festival underscores the region's commitment to leveraging its cultural and natural assets to drive tourism and economic development.
