Beyond Scenery: Get Authentically Up Close to China's Folk Customs & Heritage

Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr Festival

Many cities in China have Hui communities, where many Hui people practice Islam and participate in Muslim-related religious activities and festivals, like Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr.

Ramadan is the ninth and holiest month in the Islamic calendar. During this month, most adult Muslims fast from dawn until sunset. “Fasting” means they abstain from all food, drink (even water), smoking, and marital relations. It's much more than just not eating; it's a time for deep spiritual reflection, self-discipline, prayer, and empathy for the less fortunate.

Eid al-Fitr (also simply called Eid) is one of the two most important festivals in Islam. It literally means the “Festival of Breaking the Fast” and marks the “joyful end of Ramadan”. On this day, Muslims celebrate by attending special communal prayers in the morning, wearing their best clothes, enjoying large feasts with family and friends (finally able to eat and drink during daylight hours!) and donating to charity so the poor can also celebrate.

Mosque Buildings

The mosque buildings of China's Hui ethnic group serve not only as places of religious worship but also as silent chronicles of the Islamic civilization that took root in Chinese soil and became deeply intertwined with indigenous culture.

From an architectural perspective, Chinese mosques can be classified into three distinct styles. The first fully embraces the form and layout of traditional Chinese architecture, like the Great Mosque in Xi'an and the Niujie Mosque in Beijing. The second possesses authentic Arabic characteristics, represented by the Qingjing Mosque in Quanzhou, which bears witness to the history of the early Muslim traders who arrived in China via the Maritime Silk Road. And the last one features distinctive regional characteristics, such as the Id Kah Mosque in Kashgar.

As one of the best-preserved and most typical mosques in China, the Great Mosque in Xi’an has a history of over 1,200 years and fully embodies traditional Chinese design in many aspects, demonstrating that China is a great country that blends multiple cultures into one very harmonious whole. Aside from the spectacular sight of the blue tiles covering the ceiling, the delicate carvings on each wall and the hundreds of exquisite botanical paintings are a rare and precious artistic feast for the eyes.

Folk Song Festival

In part of the rural area of south China, the third day of the third lunar month heralds a grand festival: the Zhuang people's "Folk Song Festival". The activities include duet singing, eating colorful sticky rice, throwing embroidered balls, and ancestor worship.

Duet singing is the heart of the festival. Young people dressed in their finest clothes gather in groups and respond to one another with improvised songs. The songs cover a wide range of topics, from questions about origins and feelings to praises of nature and celebrations of life. It is not only a contest of wit and affection but also a vital platform for young people to seek romantic relationships.

Zhuang Brocade

The Zhuang ethnic group is not only talented in song and dance but also exceptionally skilled. Thanks to their outstanding ingenuity, they have created a magnificent masterpiece of craftsmanship: Zhuang brocade. Renowned for its vibrant colors, meticulous craftsmanship, exquisite designs, and profound cultural significance.

The history of Zhuang brocade dates back to the Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD). Over time, weaving techniques matured, and designs became increasingly intricate. Although Zhuang brocade faces challenges from mechanized production and changing lifestyles, its cultural value and artistic appeal are increasingly recognized. Designers have combined traditional motifs with contemporary design concepts, propelling this ancient fabric onto the international fashion stage. It has even been presented as a state gift to foreign dignitaries.

March Fair

In south-west China, Bai ethnic group celebrates the March Fair every year on the fifteenth day of the third lunar month. The March Fair boasts a long history, its origins shrouded in the mists of myth and history. The most widespread version connects it to the bodhisattva Guanyin. For this reason, it is also known as the "Guanyin Fair".

During the festival season, the foothills of Cangshan Mountain, west of Dali Ancient City, are instantly transformed into a sea of revelry. The horse races stand out as the most exciting and visually captivating traditional sporting event. Furthermore, the art of mourning songs showcasing both intellectual confrontation and emotional exchange. The March Fair has long since transcended the realm of an ordinary market, becoming a vital emblem of Bai ethnic identity and demonstrating to the world the enduring vitality of an ancient people.

Bai Houses

Nestled between Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake in Dali, Yunnan, stand numerous elegant houses with blue-tiled roofs and whitewashed walls, adorned with colorful carvings and elaborate decorations. Hailed as "frozen music" and "three-dimensional chronicles", they stand out uniquely in China's architectural history for their distinctive designs and exquisite decorative arts.

The Dali region is rich in high-quality stone and wood, providing exceptional conditions for construction. The decoration of Bai dwellings integrates painting, carving, and calligraphy, with gate towers and screen walls being particularly prominent. The best place to admire Bai Architecture is Xizhou Ancient Town, which boasts over 110 traditional buildings with Bai characteristics.

Miao Festival

In the Miao-inhabited regions of China, especially in the major settlements of Guizhou and Guangxi, there is a festival even grander and more distinctive than the Spring Festival: the Miao Festival. The Miao Festival is usually celebrated after the autumn harvest (between the tenth and twelfth lunar month, with dates varying by region).

Ancestor worship is the most sacred aspect. At the beginning of the festival, each family prepares lavish offerings, such as sticky rice, fish, meat, and rice wine, which the family elders reverently present during the ceremony. They pray for the ancestors to bless the family's prosperity and a year of good weather.

After the sacrificial rites and family feasts, the entire Miao village emerges from their homes and gathers in the town square. The Miao women, adorned in their finest festive attire, wear enormous silver headdresses, layer upon layer of silver necklaces around their necks, and are draped in splendid garments embroidered with ethnic motifs.

When the celebrations reach their peak, the villagers hold their famous "long table feast". Hundreds of tables are lined up one after another along the village's main street, stretching as far as the eye can see. All the villagers and guests sat side by side, feasting Miao specialties: sour fish soup, cured pork, sticky rice...

Silver Ornaments

Within the dazzling artistic treasure of China’s ethnic minorities, the silver ornaments of the Miao people constitute one of the most impressive and magnificent chapters. They are celebrated as "wearable epic tales".

The origins and evolution of Miao silver ornaments are intimately linked to the long and tumultuous history of this ethnic group. Over millennia of migrations, the Miao lost their written language and were repeatedly displaced from their homelands. Thus, they transformed their profound cultural memory, their ancient totem worship, and their longing for their ancestral lands into tangible visual symbols. Thanks to the diligent hands of their people, these were engraved in precious silver.

A complete set of Miao women's ceremonial silver ornaments covers almost every part of the body, from head to toe, forming an intricate and magnificent system. All the craftsmanship is almost entirely handmade. When a Miao woman dons her ceremonial attire, she carries with her not only the wealth of her family but also the millennia-old history and dignity of her entire ethnic group.

Sho Dun Festival

The Sho Dun Festival, popularly known as the Yogurt Festival, is one of Tibet's most vibrant and time-honored celebrations. Held each summer - typically in mid-August, from the 15th to the 24th of the fifth lunar month - it takes place in the lush gardens of Norbulingka Palace in Lhasa.

Originating in the 16th century, the festival began as a simple offering of yogurt from laypeople to monks. Over time, it grew into a rich cultural gathering featuring Tibetan opera (Lhamo), folk plays, and lively picnics. Colorful carpets and printed canvases decorate the gardens, creating a festive and sheltered space for all.

The festival marks the transition from monastic retreat to public celebration, blending religious reverence with everyday joy. It opens with the sacred “Unveiling of the Buddha” ceremony at Drepung Monastery - a deeply spiritual moment. Afterward, the festivities move to Norbulingka and Tsongkha Park, where Tibetan opera troupes perform for days on end. Tibetan opera is often called a “living fossil” of Tibetan culture, and Sho Dun offers its most spectacular stage.

Families gather in tents set among forests and streams, sharing homemade yogurt, butter tea, barley wine, hand-pulled lamb, and sweets. In these moments, Lhasa becomes a city-wide celebration - full of laughter, music, and the warmth of community.

More than a festival, Sho Dun is a living river of Tibetan culture. Rooted in ancient religious traditions, it brings together faith, art, food, and human connection in a joyful, inclusive carnival.

Thangka Art

In Tibet, thangka is more than art - it is a sacred expression of faith and a visual encyclopedia of Tibetan culture. These intricate silk banners, painted or embroidered with skill and devotion, are used in monasteries, family shrines, and religious processions.

Thangkas transcend ordinary painting. They serve as tools for meditation and spiritual guidance, helping monks and devotees visualize Buddhist teachings. Each element - from the central deity's posture and proportions to the colors, hand gestures, and ritual objects - follows strict scriptural rules. For practitioners, a thangka is a spiritual map: a means to enter a sacred realm through contemplation.

This art form has evolved over a thousand years into several traditions, the most common being painted and woven thangkas. Creating a thangka is a form of spiritual practice - demanding patience, precision, and deep reverence.

Thangkas cover a wide range of themes, including Buddhist deities, mandalas, and historical narratives, earning them the name “encyclopedia of Tibetan culture”. Today, thangka art continues to inspire viewers worldwide, conveying the profound beauty and solemn wisdom of Tibet's high plateau.

As we conclude this cultural journey, vivid images continue to linger in our memories. The cultural heritage of ethnic minorities is not only a testament to history but also a valuable resource for the future. Through the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, the development of cultural tourism, and innovative cultural practices, these treasured traditions are being revitalized. Like seeds, they have long since taken root and sprouted in our hearts, becoming another way of understanding the world.