June Festivals in Yunnan – Top Ethnic & Cultural Celebrations for 2025

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Yi Torch Festival, Dragon Boat Celebrations, Miao Huashan & Man Double-Sixth Rituals

Fiery Celebrations & Cultural Revivals

In June, Yunnan transitions into early summer with vibrant traditions. Fire, water, and ancient rites take center stage, reflecting agricultural prayers, ethnic unity, and ancestral reverence. Discover the top June festivals uniting flame, folklore, and cultural expression.

1. Yi Torch Festival

When: Lunar June 24 (≈ mid-July Gregorian, falls in June Gregorian this year)
Where: Yi areas – Chuxiong, Honghe, Shiping, Stone Forest, Kunming & Lijiang
Highlights:

• A dazzling “fire carnival”: every household and village center lights torches to cleanse spirits and pray for abundance
• Night parades, bonfire dances, torch-lit fields create a glowing spectacle
• Festivities include wrestling, archery, bullfighting, tug-of-war, horse races, and folk music performances
  Insider Tip: Young men & women seek romance—the Yi Torch Festival is considered an “Oriental Valentine’s Day”
  Why Go: Engage in centuries-old fire rituals that build community bonds and ignite the summer farming season.

2. Dragon Boat Festival (Duanwu)

When: Fifth day of the fifth lunar month (early to mid-June Gregorian)
Where: Across Yunnan’s water towns – Kunming, Dali, Jianshui, Wenshan
What to Expect:

• Vibrant races on Dianchi Lake or ancient canals
• Dragon boats racing to communal drumbeats and water splashes
• Tradition meets celebration—themed foods, herbal sachets, and Zongzi (rice dumplings)

3. Miao Huashan (Flower-Mountain) Festival

When: Early June (lunar calendar overlap)
Where: Miao villages in western Yunnan (e.g., Weishan, Heqing)
Highlights:

• Colorful mountain-top rituals with flower-altars and offerings to nature
• Singing and dancing in intricate Miao attire, typically celebrating spring’s bounty
  Why It’s Special: A serene celebration of nature and harvest prayers amidst stunning highland landscapes.

4. Man Ethnic Double-Sixth Festival (Chong Wang Jie)

When: June 6 (Gregorian calendar)
Where: Scattered Man communities across southwest Yunnan
Celebration Elements:

• Offerings to the “King of Worms” to protect crops from pests
• Locals raise white flags on fields as ritual protection tokens
• Food offerings, communal feasts, and ceremonial gratitude to the land

5. Mango Festival (Southern Yunnan)

When: Early June (harvest start)
Where: Xishuangbanna & southern prefectures
Why Attend:

• Celebrate the season’s first mangoes
• Farmer markets, tastings, mango-eating contests
• Accompanied by Dai song-and-dance performances and folkloric activities

Why June in Yunnan is Unmissable

Final Reflections

June in Yunnan glows with fire and water, color and faith. From torch-lit Yi gatherings to Duanwu dragon races, from highland flower altars to mango celebrations—every festival is a chapter in a living cultural epic.