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 a diverse range of activities including nomadic culture performances, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) exhibitions, and folk customs experiences, showcasing the region's unique nomadic culture alongside modern cultural tourism development.
The opening ceremony transformed Yuke Grassland into a natural stage, with local herders driving cattle across the grasslands and carrying black yak-hair tents traditionally used by Kham pastoralists. The scenes vividly recreated the millennia-old nomadic lifestyle of Kham communities, who have long followed seasonal migration routes in search of water and pasture. 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, expressed his awe: '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 festival, now in its seventh edition, includes eight major events such as the Ganzi 1,000-person ICH livestream showcase and a fashion-inspired Guozhuang gala. Parallel activities like ICH workshops, local produce exhibitions, local food tasting, and music-themed leisure gatherings offer visitors an immersive cultural experience.
Daofu County, located in northwestern Sichuan Province with an average summer temperature of around 24°C, 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 underscores the region's growing appeal as a cultural tourism destination, contributing significantly to local economic development and preserving traditional nomadic culture.
