The Yi Costume Festival, which has been inherited for more than 1,000 years, was held on the 15th day of the first lunar month of the Rabbit's Year, in Zhiju Village, Yongren County, Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province.

Sisters. Photo by Yin Bicong.

Taking the fields as stage, the mountains as stand and the sky as background, Yi people celebrated the festival until the sunset and continued to dance when the moon rose. Year after year, the Yi Costume Festival, which originated in Zhiju Village, has been held for more than 1,350 years, known as the ancient "fashion show ".

On the 15th day of the first lunar month every year, the Yi people in Yongren County will put on their exquisite national costumes, sing and dance to celebrate the festival. Its unique ethnic customs and profound intangible cultural heritage add a different atmosphere to the Lantern Festival.

Yi young ladies would come to Zhiju Village to participate in the annual pageant, all dressed up with their embroidered costumes. In the accompaniment of Lu Sheng, old people, girls and children danced the traditional dances of the Yi nationality to display their hand-embroidered clothes, chic and beautiful, bright but not gaudy, exuding endless charm. (Editors: Christine, Amy)