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 nomadic culture performances, intangible cultural heritage (ICH) exhibitions, and folk customs experiences, highlighting the region's unique nomadic heritage alongside modern cultural tourism development.
The opening ceremony transformed Yuke Grassland into a natural stage. Local herders drove cattle across the grasslands, carrying black yak-hair tents traditionally used by Kham pastoralists and holding urdah—traditional stone-throwing ropes used for livestock management. These scenes 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 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 tailoring designs, blending ancient culture with contemporary 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 has been successfully held for seven editions. This year's festival features eight major events, including the opening ceremony, the Ganzi 1,000-person ICH livestream showcase, and a fashion-inspired Guozhuang gala. Grassland market activities—such as ICH workshops, local produce exhibitions, local food tasting, and music-themed leisure gatherings—offer visitors an immersive cultural experience.
Daofu County, where the event took place, is situated in northwestern Sichuan Province with an average summer temperature of around 24°C. The county boasts natural landscapes including Yala Snow Mountain, Stone Forest Park, Yuke Grassland, alpine meadows, and Tianlong Lake, as well as cultural heritage like 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, underscoring the economic importance of such cultural festivals.
