Huanjiang celebrates Fenlong Festival

The Huanjiang Maonan autonomous county in Hechi, Guangxi, celebrated the Fenlong Festival on June 20.

Several Maonan people celebrate the Fenlong Festival with masks on June 20. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Over 30,000 people gather at Huanjiang Stadium to celebrate the Fenlong Festival on the evening of June 20. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Over 30,000 tourists from across the country, including the ethnic Maonans gathered at the local stadium wearing masks for the revelry.

Tourists from across the country come to the Huanjiang Maonan autonomous county for Fenlong celebrations on June 20. [Photo by Gao Dongfeng/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The Fenlong Festival is the most important traditional festival in the calendar of the Maonan ethnic group and symbolizes praying for the harvest. Lasting two to three days, it is held annually on the first dragon day, which falls on every 12 days in the Chinese Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches Day Record Method, following the Summer Solstice of the lunar calendar.

Huanjiang has held six Fenlong Festivals since 2009 to maintain, protect and inherit the cultural heritage. The festival has become one of the "Top 10 Festivals in Guangxi" and won "The festival with the most national characteristics" award at the fourth China National Festival Summit.

Edited by Mevlut Katik