Smiles all Around

Dozens of groups of dancers filled the square, while Jade Snow Dragon Mountain reared 18,000 foot above the town. A whirl of dancers and a cacaphony of different bands gave the scene color and excitement.

Lijiang Dancers

What an incredible mix of peoples. Naxi, Bai, Tibetans, Lisu, Dai, all seeming to compete for the most amazing outfits.

Boombox

What a contrast ! The old ways are strong, but the new inevitably intrude. Rock on.

Happy Dancer

I love the joy on this old woman's face as she relives her youth through dance. The societal bonds created by festivals like this are something we westerners do not really understand.

Granny

The minority groups of southwest China are an amazing mix of Tibetan stock, and peoples who range from China to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Burma. Granny is having a great time.

The Winner

OK, we have a winner for the best outfit. I love the neckpiece and the headgear. It appears to be fabric folded many times, I assume it can be used for a shawl; handy as Lijiang sits at over 8,000 feet.

Meet and Greet

Time to take a break, have a snack and meet and greet. The main ethnic group are the Naxi, represented by the woman on the right. They wear an ox pelt over their bums, skin out so that they can sit without getting cold. The Naxi are shamanistic and were

Next Generation

Our little friend is enjoying the spectacle and is probably looking forward to the time when she is grown and can participate in the fun.