The 2026 Ethnic Cultural Pageant of the Sanyuesan Festival of the She ethnic group kicked off on April 18 in Jingning She autonomous county, Lishui, Zhejiang province. [Photo/Tide News]

The 2026 Ethnic Cultural Pageant of the Sanyuesan Festival of the She ethnic group kicked off on the morning of April 18 in Jingning She autonomous county, Lishui, Zhejiang province.

The opening featured She people performing traditional songs and dances, phoenix-shaped kites flying overhead, drones delivering a ceremonial flame, and guests from various regions jointly lighting a bonfire.

Recognized as a national-level intangible cultural heritage, the Sanyuesan Festival of the She ethnic group serves as a vibrant showcase of ethnic culture.

This year's event is organized into five main sections — folk performances, sports competitions, culture and arts, economic cooperation, and rural tourism experiences — encompassing 13 key activities.

A central attraction is the immersive "princess parade", which combines elements of She drum music, traditional costumes, and wedding customs. The parade alternates between living heritage displays, contemporary youth performances, robotic dance routines, and mass revelry.

Additional activities include a themed market, Huiming tea-related events, youth music parties, and an intangible cultural heritage night, offering a diverse array of options for tourists.

The Sanyuesan Festival of the She ethnic group has been held 19 times since its official naming in 2007.

According to an official from Jingning, the county aims to further integrate culture and tourism by attracting high-quality market operators and creating modern expressions of traditional folk customs, thereby transforming cultural vitality into tangible industrial growth.