China Culture Update — 9 April 2026

culture • 9 April 2026

China offers a diverse calendar of cultural festivals and events that showcase traditional heritage alongside contemporary experiences, making them excellent additions to any travel itinerary. ## Upcoming Major Festivals **Dai Water Splashing Festival** takes place in mid-April (around April 13–15) in Yunnan Province and marks the Dai New Year.[4] This is the most important traditional celebration of the Dai ethnic group, beginning with religious ceremonies in Buddhist temples where people wash Buddha statues, followed by public festivities including water splashing in the streets, dancing, and traditional performances.[4] The main event occurs in Jinghong at the water splashing square, where thousands of visitors and tourists participate.[4] You can hire traditional Dai ethnic clothing to join respectfully and stay dry during the celebrations.[4] ## Recent Festival Highlights China's **Qingming Festival** (April 4–6) demonstrated the country's thriving festival culture, with **135 million domestic trips and nearly 9 billion USD in spending** across the nation.[2] Flower-viewing tours reached peak popularity, with destinations like Chengdu, Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, and Hangzhou attracting the most visitors.[1] The Baili Azalea Scenic Area in Bijie, Guizhou province launched new immersive experiences including traditional Chinese cultural activities and *hanfu* (traditional Chinese clothing) makeup and styling services.[1] **Guangdong Province** welcomed approximately 19.85 million visitors during Qingming, generating 10.43 billion yuan in tourism revenue.[5] Cultural highlights included the inaugural "Weekend Getaway in Guangdong" campaign in Jieyang Ancient City, featuring traditional Yingge dance and lion performances, whilst Guangzhou's "Heroic Blossoms in a Heroic City" events drew over 42,000 visitors to historical revolutionary heritage sites.[5] Rural homestays across the province reported occupancy rates exceeding 80 percent, reflecting strong interest in authentic local experiences.[5]

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