The 2026 Torch Festival lighting ceremony and torch parade were held in Ninglang Yi autonomous county, northwest Yunnan’s Lijiang city, on August 6. After the sacred flame was lit, tens of thousands of people at the county square joined hands in group dances to celebrate the Torch Festival together.
The Torch Festival is one of the traditional festivals celebrated by local Yi people and other ethnic groups in Ninglang. For local residents, it is not only a time for family reunions and neighborhood festivities, but also an important occasion to showcase ethnic costumes, songs, dances, and living customs.
Located on at the junction of Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, Ninglang is home to natural attractions such as Lugu Lake, where its vibrant ethnic cultures complement the stunning plateau landscapes. Events like the Lugu Lake Poetry Season and intangible cultural heritage performances are highly favored by visitors.
