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, aiming to blend traditional nomadic life with modern cultural tourism development. The festival has attracted numerous visitors eager to experience grassland culture.
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 by Tibetan herders for livestock management. These scenes vividly recreated the millennia-old nomadic lifestyle of Kham communities, who have long followed seasonal migration routes in search of water and pasture. Following this, a grand procession of heavy cavalry and the legendary Gesar riders galloped across the grassland, showcasing traditional attire. A vibrant parade of ethnic costumes highlighted pulu—a traditional Tibetan handwoven wool textile—alongside modern tailoring designs, emphasizing the blend of ancient culture and modern fashion.
Mr. Zhang, a visitor from Beijing, said, "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. My whole family loves the grassland lifestyle in Daofu. It is something you cannot experience in the city." The festival has been successfully held for seven editions and includes eight major events: the opening ceremony, the Ganzi 1,000-person ICH livestream showcase, and the fashion-inspired Guozhuang gala. Additionally, grassland market activities—including ICH workshops, local produce exhibitions, local food tasting, and music-themed leisure gatherings—offer visitors an immersive cultural experience.
Daofu County, located in northwestern Sichuan Province, averages summer temperatures around 24°C. The county boasts natural landscapes such as 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, Daofu County received a cumulative total of 10.4123 million tourists, generating nearly 11.454 billion yuan in tourism revenue. The festival underscores the region's commitment to preserving nomadic culture while driving economic growth through tourism.
