Hainan Seven Fairies Hot Spring Festival is in full swing

The 2024 Hainan Seven Fairies Hot Spring Water Fun Festival kicked off in Baoting Li and Miao autonomous county on Friday, running throughout the week until Sunday. The festival aims to showcase the unique cultural charm of the Li and Miao ethnic groups in the county, offering visitors a diverse cultural experience.

Now in its 21st edition, the festival traces its roots back to the year 2000, drawing inspiration from ancient Li ethnic rituals. Legend has it that on Chinese Valentine's Day, or Qixi Festival, the seventh day of the seventh month in the Chinese lunar calendar, the Seventh Fairy, the youngest daughter of the emperor in heaven, and her husband, Dong Yong, met at the Magpie Bridge. In commemoration of their love, the Li people gather at the hot springs for dancing, singing, and offerings of sacrifices in prayer for favorable weather.

Recognized in 2011 as one of China's top 10 famous festival brands and a popular folk festival by the UNESCO Folk Art Organization, the festival coincides with the Qixi Festival, falling on Saturday this year.

The three-day event features a lineup of exciting activities, including the "Search for the Seven Fairies" game, the Holy Water Ceremony, the Li and Miao Ethnic Cultural Gala, the Water Festival Opening Ceremony, the Joyful Grand Parade, traditional folk water fun, an ethnic minority water sports carnival, and the "Seven Fairies Gathering" trendy market.

At the Li and Miao Ethnic Cultural Gala on Friday evening, a Taiwanese troupe mesmerized the audience with a performance titled "Celebration of Bumper Harvest," offering a glimpse into Taiwan's indigenous culture.

Umapon Pasuknirant, deputy director of the Tourism Authority of Thailand Guangzhou Office, attended the event as a guest of honor, emphasizing the deep cultural ties between China and Thailand, particularly their minority cultures, expressing hope for increased mutual visits and advancements in the tourism industry.