The 2026 Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture & Tourism Festival opened on July 24 at Yuke Grassland in Daofu County, Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, drawing visitors with nomadic culture performances, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) exhibitions, and folk customs experiences. The event, running through July 26, showcases the region's unique nomadic culture integrated with modern tourism development.
The opening ceremony transformed Yuke Grassland into a natural stage, featuring local herders driving cattle, carrying black yak-hair tents traditionally used by Kham pastoralists, and holding urdah—traditional stone-throwing ropes for livestock management. These scenes vividly recreated the millennia-old nomadic lifestyle of Kham communities. A grand procession of heavy cavalry and Gesar riders followed, with riders in traditional attire galloping across the grassland. A parade of ethnic costumes showcased pulu, a traditional Tibetan handwoven wool textile, alongside modern designs, highlighting the blend of ancient culture and modern 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.”
The Sichuan Ganzi Mountain Culture & Tourism Festival, now in its seventh edition, features eight major events including the opening ceremony, the Ganzi 1,000-person ICH livestream showcase, and a fashion-inspired Guozhuang gala. Parallel activities such as grassland markets with ICH workshops, local produce exhibitions, food tasting, and music gatherings offer visitors an immersive cultural experience.
Daofu County, located in northwestern Sichuan with an average summer temperature of 24°C, boasts natural landscapes like Yala Snow Mountain, Stone Forest Park, Yuke Grassland, alpine meadows, and Tianlong Lake, alongside cultural heritage including Kham traditions and the Highland Silk Road. From July 2021 to June 2026, the county received 10.4123 million tourists, generating nearly 11.454 billion yuan in tourism revenue, underscoring the festival's role in promoting local economic growth.
