Celebrations to mark Sanyuesan Festival began on March 25, with the event celebrated by 12 ethnic groups native to Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. The day falls on the third day of the third lunar month and events typically continue for around one month.

A total of around 27 million ethnic minority residents across Guangxi, in particular the Zhuang ethnic group, take part in events.

This year's Sanyuesan Festival falls on April 7, and a total of about 900 festivities and celebrations centering on the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China are planned to take place until the end of April.

Ethnic cultural activities

Sanyuesan Festival provides an opportunity to showcase the traditional ethnic minority cultures of the local area, promoting them to a wider audience. A host of activities including folk singing, traditional opera, acrobatics, Chinese martial arts and lion dancing will take place.

This year's festival activities are set to be held at the Anthropology Museum of Guangxi on April 4, and some native ethnic groups, including the Zhuang, Miao, Yao, Dong, Mulam and Gelao groups plan to celebrate the grand festival together on that day. Traditional Guangxi snacks and handicrafts will be displayed, offering visitors a chance to learn more about local culture and traditions.

A group of visitors photograph a bamboo raft carrying two folk performers. [Photo/IC]

With a theme of "My Motherland and Me", the events set to be held at Nanning Garden Expo Park on April 4 will be divided into three parts, and feature a variety of cultural performances and colorful exhibits. Not only will visitors get to try delicious Nanning food, but they will also be able to take part in a number of cultural activities.

A launch ceremony for an event titled "Sanyuesan Festival of the Zhuang people, Meet in Guangxi" will be held on the morning of April 4, and a series of cultural activities including folk singing, dancing, and cultural exhibitions will take place in Guilin's Yangshuo and Hechi.