Water Splashing Festival Celebrated in Lancang, China-Myanmar Border, Uniting Ethnic Groups and Tourists

On April 11th, Lancang Lahu Autonomous County, Puer City in southwest China’s Yunnan Province, which borders Myanmar, kicked off the grand Water Splashing Festival. Local people from ethnic groups including the Dai, Lahu, Hani and Wa held a grand ethnic carnival parade, celebrating the 1388th Dai calendar Water Splashing Ceremony together with tourists from all over the world, painting a vivid picture of ethnic harmony on the border.

According to China News Service, the festival kicked off with the resounding rhythms of elephant-foot drums, gongs and cymbals. Nine representative phalanxes composed of local ethnic groups, dressed in gorgeous traditional costumes, marched slowly from Lancang County Agriculture, Rural Areas, Science and Technology Bureau to Lancang Street Fountain Square, led by two peacock dance performers.

During the parade, young men and women of the Dai ethnic group on the parade floats interacted with citizens and tourists, splashing clear water to convey blessings—a traditional way of expressing good wishes for peace, health and happiness. After the parade arrived at the Fountain Square, the "Water Splashing Ceremony of the 1388th Dai Calendar—Water Splashes Dancing with Lancang Feelings, Ethnic Groups United to Bloom Brilliance" officially started.

Clear water splashed in the air instantly as people poured water on each other, embracing the joy of the festival. In addition to the traditional water-splashing ritual, a unity dance session was specially arranged, where people danced in a circle to share the festive happiness. Electronic music water-splashing carnival was also a highlight, with people celebrating to the dynamic ethnic electronic music mixed by DJs.

Shi Gaizhen, a Hani resident from Menglang Town, Lancang County, said, "Lancang is home to many ethnic groups, but we are like a family. I attended the Lahu people’s Gourd Festival on April 10th and came to the Dai Water Splashing Festival right after. We sing and dance together without distinction, which is very lively and happy."

He Ting, a tourist from Hunan Province, shared her experience: "I love Yunnan very much and have traveled here many times. I attended the Water Splashing Festival in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in 2022. I want to experience the cultural customs of different parts of Yunnan, so I came to Lancang specially this year and will stay around for more than ten days."

A relevant person in charge of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Lancang County Committee stated that Lancang, located in southwest Yunnan and bordering Myanmar, is where the song "Lusheng Love Song" was sung. The festival not only shows the new outlook of all ethnic groups on the border in the new era, but also strengthens the consciousness of the Chinese nation community, welcoming more tourists to experience the unique life in Yunnan.