Against the sweeping backdrop of northwestern China's Gansu Province, ethnic communities from the Yugur, Tibetan, and Mongolian groups recently converged in Sunan County for a dynamic celebration of shared heritage. The festival transformed the grasslands into a living museum of traditions, featuring bone-rattling displays of strength through pole-pushing competitions and yak-pulling contests that drew cheers from thousands.
Attendees witnessed master artisans demonstrate centuries-old crafts recognized as intangible cultural heritage, while the air thrummed with the resonant harmonies of folk songs passed through generations. Spirited group dances, their patterns echoing ancient migration routes, underscored the enduring cultural connections along the historic Silk Road corridor.
Local herder Zhaxi Dorje, 58, told KhabarAsia: 'These traditions bind us like the threads in a Tibetan rug – each community's pattern distinct, but together creating something stronger.' The event coincided with regional efforts to preserve cultural identities while fostering cross-community understanding through shared history.
Scholars highlight how such festivals in border regions like Gansu – home to over 40 ethnic groups – offer insights into China's cultural diversity and its evolving approaches to heritage conservation. For travelers, the province's summer festival calendar now presents new opportunities to experience authentic cultural exchanges along the ancient trade routes.
