Luoyang Peony Festival 2013 Is Being Held Now

Luoyang always reminds one of that old oriental capital of nine dynasties, together with its world-famous White Horse Temple and Longmen Grottoes. Yet peony is also one of the various elements that typify this unique charming city. There is a Peony Festival held annually in Luoyang, very popular among tourists and peony enthusiasts. And the 31th annual Luoyang Peony Festival for 2013 is on! This year, the festival lasts around one month from April 1st to May 5th, showing all manners of peonies.

The sea of pink Peonies

Peony, representing elegance and dignity, enjoys the reputation of “King of Flower Kingdom” and is considered as China’s national flower. The Luoyang peony has a history of over 1500 years, and now boasts more than 1200 kinds. Peony was named the city flower of Luoyang in 1982. And the Luoyang Peony Festival has been an annual event in every spring ever since 1983.

The peonies display

During the festival, Luoyang city is fully alive and looks like an ocean of peonies, with fantastic colors ranging from the original red to the supplemented white, yellow, purple and even the rarest dark. Among all the species, “Yaohuang” and “Weizi” peonies are the most noble ones and known as the “king” and “queen”. Apart from the peonies displays, there are a wide range of performances and activities: the dramatic opening ceremony, the peonies photography contest, lantern fairs, the exhibitions of calligraphy and others.

The white peonies

Though peonies are displayed everywhere within the city, Shengzhou Peony Park, Wangcheng Park, China National Flower Garden and Luoyang Sui & Tang Dynasties Relics Botanic Garden are even greater places to enjoy the festival. One more thing that you may need to know – peonies are in full bloom during the festival, but reach the peak between April 15 to 25!

Stay overnight at the foot of Mutianyu Great Wall in Beijing

The outskirts of Mutianyu Town, about one hour driving from downtown Beijing, boasts some of the most magnificent sceneries imaginable, and has been home to two boutique retreats – The Schoolhouse and The Brickyard, both of which offer unobscured views of the Great Wall, and provide visitors a chance to stay out of the hustle and bustle of touristy Beijing.

The Brickyard Inn

Open in 2005, The Schoolhouse was transformed from an abandoned primary school, and now has grown into a comprehensive lodging and dining destination. Later, the owner and designer, Jim Spear discovered “a new land”, the former Brickyard, which was a glazed tile factory always pouring black coal smoke at that time, but as the Mr. Spear said featured with unarguable view! After years of elaborately remodeling, The Brickyard is now famed as a lush eco-retreat with 25 striking guest rooms and cosy services.

the fireplace in the room of Brickyard Inn

Green is the focal point of both Schoolhouse and Brickyard. They also prefer local supplies including foods and employees regarding it as a society mission. For travelers seeking something different, to have a stay at Schoolhouse or Brickyard will be a compelling case.

Visitors are appreciating the glassblowing demonstation within The Schoolhouse

There are a lot of things you would like to experience! Feast on excellent western or local foods; visit various art exhibitions and appreciate glassblowing and lamp-working demonstrations by the retreat’s own craftspeople; ramble on through the serene village to feel world away from the chaos of Beijing; relax with the outdoor spa after hikingthe Great Wall; take a morning yoga near a lotus pond. Almost all visitors, though having a short stay, find it is very rewarding, not only the superior retreat amenities and friendly staff, but the abundant activities provided at the foot of Mutianyu Great Wall as well!

People are dining and having so much fun in the Schoolhouse

Feast on North Korean Food in Beijing

Poverty and enthusiastic leadership-worship is a clichéd image that comes to mind when most westerners think of North Korea, a country of isolation and mystery. Yet North Korean cuisine, that is also something you will never forget about North Korea once you try. You don’t need to get into the country for the specialties, here in Beijing, China’s capital, a handful of restaurants run by North Korean government serves authentic North Korean cuisine. And Pyongyang Restaurant is one of them.



Located at 78 Maizidian Jie, Chaoyang District, Pyongyang Restaurant is specially decorated and offers a large choice of North Korean food at reasonable prices, from cold noodles to bibimbap, from outstanding kimchi to hand-ground porridge, from grilled kalbi to pricy seafood, just delicious! Pyongyang Restaurant share common characteristics with other government-run North Korean restaurants in Beijing, like the training of the waitresses.



All the waitresses in Pyongyang Restaurant are selected from North Korea after two years of training in their hometown. They dress in North Korean traditional robes and shoes, pretty, gently and always with a smile on the face, forming a distinctively beautiful scene. What might surprise you is that each of the waitresses wears a leader’s badge. At night, the waitresses usually sing and perform for diners, including traditional drum dance, karaoke in Korean and Chinese, and a most-welcomed band performance.



Other Beijing's top North Korean restaurants:
The Silver Bank
Add: 4F Zhongfu mansion, 99 Jianguo Lu, Chaoyang District, Beijing (North East of Guomao Bridge)
Tel: 010 6581 8603
Haedanghwa Pyongyang Restaurant
Add: 2F, Kuntai Mansions, Chaoyangmenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District, Beijing
Tel: 010 8561 2925

China Southern Airline opens the direct Urumqi – Kaohsiung flight

China Southern Airlines opened a direct air route linking Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan on Mar. 12. It is the first non-stop flight from mainland’s Xinjiang to Taiwan, and claims to be the longest Cross-Strait flight with a 5.5- hour trip.

China Southern Airlines

Mar. 12, local time in China, the charter flight CZ6053 took off from Urumqi Diwobao International Airport (URC) at 5:13 pm. Five and a half hours later, 180 passengers finished their 4,600-km travel and arrived at Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) safely. The return flight CZ6054, carrying 143 Taiwanese passengers, departed from Kaohsiung at 11:55 pm and arrive at the destination in the early morning of Mar. 14.


From Mar. 12 to Mar. 26, China Southern Airline planned to launch three direct Urumqi-Kaohsiung flights / six round-trip flights, one flight a week on each Tuesday operated with Boeing 757 aircraft. It is definitely good news for Xinjiang and Taiwan passengers and has brought them much convenience, as they don’t need to transfer via Guangzhou or Xiamen any longer.


In addition to the newly-opened Urumqi-Kaohsiung direct flight, China Southern Airlines has launched a total of 14 direct Cross-Strait routes that connect mainland’s major cities with Taiwan. Furthermore, according to China Southern Airline’s representative, on Apr. 1, the carrier will also open the Urumqi–Taipei direct scheduled flight. Tickets booking will be soon in process.





In recent years, people from both Xinjiang and Taiwan have make great efforts to extend the two regions’ economic and tourism exchanges. With the difference in culture, history, life style, food and landscape, people from Xinjiang find Taiwan most attractive! It is predicted that nearly 30,000 Xinjiang people will travel to Taiwan in 2013.

Forbidden City closed on Monday afternoons 2013

The Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, has decided to carry on with the half-day closure every Monday afternoon for further protection, it announced on March 18, 2013.

inside the Forbidden City

The museum will open on Mondays from 8:30 am to noon. Ticket sales will stop at 11:00 a.m, and ticket checking will stop at 11:10 am.

The official implementation of half-day closure will start on April 1, except public holidays and Mondays during the summer months of July and August. The new timetable will be applied on the following Mondays.
April 1, 8, 15, 22;
May 6, 13, 20, 27;
June 3, 17, 24;
September 2, 9, 16, 23, 30;
October 14, 21, 28;
November 4, 11, 18, 25;
December 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.

The museum launched a pilot plan to close every Monday afternoon from Jan. 1 to March 31, 2013. The closing time was used to check and renovate cultural relics and facilities.

Shangri-La Beijing Joins Forbes Travel Guide List

The 55th annual Forbes Travel Guide Five & Four Star Awards released the award winners for 2013 on February 27th. Asia’s 8 luxury hotels and two spas attained Five-Star distinctions. Moreover, 24 hotels and 12 spa centers in mainland China earned Star Awards rating. Shangri-La Hotels China World Summit Wing, Beijing captured first-time Five Star Award.

Grand Premier Room of Shangri-La Hotels China World Summit Wing, Beijing

China World Summit Wing is a Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts property, located on the 80th floor of The China World Trade Centre among Beijing’s skyscrapers. The hotel offers a large sections of dining with four stylish restaurants and two bars. It has a luxury spa on the 77th floor, an indoor infinity pool on the 78th floor, and an fitness centre.

A heated indoor swimming pool with nice view

Of all the award-winners in Asia, seven Five Star rating hotels are situated in Hong Kong, five in Macau, three in Singapore, two in Shanghai and one in Beijing. As China World Summit Wing Beijing joins Forbes Travel Guide list, mainland China now boasts 3 Five Star rating hotels, together with The Peninsula Shanghai and Waldorf Astoria Shanghai on the Bund in Shanghai.

Amazing Fangweng Restaurant above Yangtze River

Wanna to enjoy a unforgettable dining experience in a “unusual” restaurant? Situated against the cliffside of Xiling Mountain along Yangtze River, there is a unique cave restaurant, called Fangweng Restaurant. So amazing, cave is a most interesting locations to place a restaurant. The memory of your dining here will linger long after you’ve returned home.

Fangweng Restaurant along the side of a cliff above Yangtze River

Fangweng Restaurant gets its name from Lu You, a great poet from Southern Song dynasty (1127-1279). It is said that he had brewed tea in a cave on the mountainside. In early 1980s, Fangweng Restaurant has been fastened to the cliff, and built into the cave.

A natural cave has been transformed into a lobby of the restaurant.

Now, walk into the restaurant and down the steps, one will come to a natural “cave lobby”. Rightward, a 30-meter-long plank road has been built along the cliffside. It leads to a another natural cave, which has been transformed into a dining hall. Seen from within, it looks larger. Warm lighting from the ceiling lends a golden yellow glow throughout. Dimly lit and Chinese-style furnishings blend in with its surroundings. Part of the dining hall hangs out of the cave, where some dining tables are placed. This is a place sitting high in the air, where the flowing waters can be watched from above.

A 30-meter-long plank road along the cliffside leads to the dining hall of the restaurant.

Seen from within,the cave restaurant looks wide and bright.

Part of the dining hall hangs out of the cave, sitting high in the air.

Dining in such a cave restaurant would be a unique experience. Customers can taste distinctive regional cuisine and enjoy sweeping views of the Yangtze River, all in one. It is more about the overall experience that the food itself, something truly different. Also, watching live bungee jumpers across the river add more excitement.

Starwood skis into China’s Changbaishan

Get ready to infuse the long winter months with excitement! Tourists from home and abroad have an exciting new option for a China winter trip. On July 29,2012, Starwood Hotels & Resorts opened the doors of its first dual-branded ski resort complex,the Westin Changbaishan and Sheraton Changbaishan,in China.

Starwood dual-branded ski resort

The Starwood resort complex are adjacent to the slopes of the Changbaishan International Resort in the northeast China’s Changbai mountain range. The ski area  features 43 ski lanes and cable cover of up to 7.1km, accommodating 8,000 skiers; and, skiers have access to both downhill and cross-country trails.

The Westin Changbaishan and Sheraton Changbaishan resorts offers more than 37,000 square feet of function, including a 13,362 square-foot ballroom.. There are six food and beverage outlets, heated indoor swimming pools and fitness centres. The two Starwood Resorts are joined by a bridge so guests can easily access either hotel. They will enjoy world-class amenities set against the backdrop of one of China’s most visually stunning mountain ranges.

Changbaishan is home to a UNESCO-listed nature reserve, alpine lakes and hot springs.Guests will enjoy downhill skiing on trails surrounded by unspoiled pine forests, as well as ice skating and ice fishing.

Swim in the sky-high hotel pool in Shanghai

Recently, the Holiday Inn Shanghai Pudong Kangqiao made waves with its swimming pool, perched atop the 24-story building.Impressively, part of the indoor pool hangs out past the building’s edge, and is constructed with a glass bottom.Hotel guests describe a delirious sense of swimming in the sky – like flying.

Sky-high swimming pool in shanghai

Exactly 30 meters long (about 98 feet), six meters wide (20 feet) and 1.5 meters deep (5 feet), the swimming pool is the first of its kind in China. Swimming in such a radical pool, with just a glass pane between you and a 24-story drop, is really an exciting experience.

glass-bottom swimming pool in shanghai

No doubt the swimming pool has exceptional views, from the inside and outside. The glass-bottom section allows swimmers to see the street below, and conversely, people on the street can look up and watch the swimmers. While not splashing in the water, guests can enjoy Pudong urban views stretching as far as the Lujiazui skyline at the poolside lounge.

Experience hutong lifestyle in Beijing

Hutongs in Beijing are alleys formed by lines of siheyuan, traditional courtyard residences. It reflects the culture of grassroots Beijingers and has a very special and significant position in the rich history and culture of Beijing. If you like to make your Beijing tour more perfect, a tour to the Hutong is highly recommended.


A wonderful glimpse into the world of yesterday in Beijing. 


Hutong Community (photographed by Sarina Wei in November, 2012)



Interested in seeing evidence of the history of Beijing, experiencing the old way of life and the traditional culture of Beijing? Then come to Hutong area with me!!

Sarina's wonderful tour to Mutianyu Great Wall

Sarina and Silvia, two travel specialists from EasyTourChina.com, had made study trips to Xi”an, Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhuo in mid-Noverber 2012.

The Great Wall, one of the greatest wonders in the world. The Great Wall was originally built for defense and plays a significant role in China’s history. Like a gigantic dragon, it winds up and down across mountains, grasslands, plateaus and deserts, stretching thousands of miles from east to west of China.
There is an old saying said well “Until you reach the Great Wall, you’re no hero”. A wonderful tour to the Great Wall is a must for your trip to China. The famous sections of the Great Wall include the Badaling, Huanghuacheng, Mutianyu, Jiankou, Gubeikou, Jinshanling and Simatai. In all of these, I prefer to visit Mutianyu Great Wall as it is less visited and more beautiful compared with other sections.


Mutianyu Great Wall in Autumn (Photographed by Sarina Wei in Middle November, 2012). 


Less visited and more beautiful (Mutianyu Great Wall)


The pride of every Chinese — Great Wall, China.


My Soul with the Great Wall.

Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival 2013

The 29th Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival kicked off in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on January 5, 2013. This year, it will last to February 28th. The annual event brings a sparkling winter wonderland to the city of Harbin; and millions of tourists from all over the world brave the chilly temperatures to experience it.

The event, as one of the world's four major ice and snow festivals, features a wide range of ice-related activities including ice sculpture competition, ice lantern, skiing, winter swimming competition, sledding, and much more. There are three main exhibition areas namely Harbin Ice and Snow World, Sun Island Scenic Area and Zhaolin Park.

Harbin Ice and Snow World
Harbin Ice and Snow World is the largest ice and snow park in the city, which is nicknamed "the Ice Disneyland". This year, it features majestic ice castles and sculptures of fairytale characters. While the white sculptures look spectacular during the day, they are even more magical at night thanks to the bright LED lights that are embedded inside. It presents a colorful and warm aura to the icy wonderland.


Sun Island Scenic Area
During the festival, the Sun island scenic area has been turned into a massive exhibition ground for snow sculptures in all shapes and sizes. These snow art works range from life-size human figures, animals, mythical creatures, to huge buildings of different types and styles.


Zhaolin Park
The international ice lantern festival held here offers visitors a chance to appreciate the best ice and snow artworks in the world. When the night falls, the park becomes a glittery world with beautiful ice lanterns resplendent with different colors. Modern techniques endow the lanterns with light, sound and action.

Silvia's tour journal: Savor the unique flavor of Beijing Douzhir

This tour journal was writen by Silvia, a travel specialist from EasyTourChina.com. In mid-Noverber, she had made study trips to Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhuo.

Before I went to Beijing, I have heard many times about one local drink – Douzhir (Fermented soybean milk). Local Beijingers like this drink very much and most of them drink it every day, but people from outside Beijing are not used to it and think it smelly and rancid. Because of this, drinking Douzhir becomes a mark of Beijingers. Anyway, no matter how terrible it is, I decided to have a taste.

Lao Ciqikou Douzhir Dian, Beijing restaurant

Our friend in Beijing recommended a snack shop to us which has a history of tens years – Lao Ciqikou Douzhir Dian. This shop locates at North exit of Temple of Heaven, so after the visit to Temple of Heaven, we went to this shop. It was easy to find it out as there were many people standing in line there. Finally we got our Douzhir and its mate Jiaoquan (fried flour ring), some pickled mustard tuber. Firstly, wow, it tasted really different with soybean milk. I still didn’t know why Beijingers like this. Secondly, I didn’t like to waste food, so drank it up slowly. At last, I said it might be not that bad. A lady who shared a table with us recognized that we were tourists from other province; we were told that she started to drink Douzhir when she was a little girl and now couldn’t leave it anymore. Also, she insisted that Douzhir was very good to health.

Douzhir, Beijing snack food

Douzhir, Beijing snack food

It was interesting to taste local food and we thought food was a very important part of our trip. Douzir, maybe one day I will be addicted to you.

Silvia's wonderful cycling tour on ancient city wall of Xian

This tour journal was writen by Silvia, a travel specialist from EasyTourChina.com. In mid-Noverber, she had made study trips to Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou.

When I arrange Xi’an tour for my clients, the attraction I would like to put in mostly isAncient City Wallbesides Terra Cotta Warriors, and usually clients like it.

Ancient City Wall, Xian

Ancient City Wall is the first landmark visitors will encounter in Xi’an, stretches round the old city. It’s very special among China there’s a completed and occlusive wall in city center. When I rode bicycle on the wall with very warm sunshine in Winter, I felt that it was really an enjoyment, leisure and free. Cycling on City Wall is amazing way to overlook Xi’an. On the way I saw people doing exercise in river bank parks, the railway station and Muslim quarters with ancient style house, even the Guangren Lama Temple. Most buildings inside the circle of city wall are ancient style or very short, but the outside building are very high and modern. I thought that’s like taking time boat.

Cycling on Ancient City Wall of Xian

Xian Ancient City Wall

The round trip cycling took around 2hrs, much less if you are not crazy interested in photos, surely we enjoy every minute.

Silvia's wonderful cycling tour on ancient city wall of Xian

This tour journal was writen by Silvia, a travel specialist from EasyTourChina.com. In mid-Noverber, she had made study trips to Xi’an, Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou.

When I arrange Xi’an tour for my clients, the attraction I would like to put in mostly isAncient City Wallbesides Terra Cotta Warriors, and usually clients like it.

Ancient City Wall, Xian

Ancient City Wall is the first landmark visitors will encounter in Xi’an, stretches round the old city. It’s very special among China there’s a completed and occlusive wall in city center. When I rode bicycle on the wall with very warm sunshine in Winter, I felt that it was really an enjoyment, leisure and free. Cycling on City Wall is amazing way to overlook Xi’an. On the way I saw people doing exercise in river bank parks, the railway station and Muslim quarters with ancient style house, even the Guangren Lama Temple. Most buildings inside the circle of city wall are ancient style or very short, but the outside building are very high and modern. I thought that’s like taking time boat.

Cycling on Ancient City Wall of Xian

Xian Ancient City Wall

The round trip cycling took around 2hrs, much less if you are not crazy interested in photos, surely we enjoy every minute.

Beijing to offer 72-hour visa-free stay for transit travellers

Beijing will start a 72-hour visa-free stay policy for citizens of 45 countries in 2013 to boost tourism, Beijing municipal government announced on December 5.

 the Forbidden City, Beijing, China

From Jan. 1, 2013, foreigners from 45 countries, landing in Beijing but destined for other countries, can hold third country visas and plane tickets to apply for a transit without visa (TWOV), at Beijing Capital International Airport. They will be able to stay in Beijing for 72 hours without a Chinese visa.

The 45 countries were listed in accordance with the numbers of inbound overnight visitors in Beijing from 2009 to 2011.

Austria	Hungary	Portugal	Cyprus	Chile
Belgium	Iceland	the Republic of Slovakia	Bulgaria	Australia
the Czech Republic	Italy	the Republic of Slovenia	Romania	New Zealand
Denmark	Latvia	Spain	Ukraine	the Republic of Korea
Estonia	the Republic of Lithuania	Sweden	the United States of America	Japan
Finland	Luxembourg	Swiss	Canada	Singapore
France	the Republic of Malta	Russia	Brazil	Brunei
Germany	the Netherlands	the United Kingdom of Britain	Mexico	the United Arab Emirates
Greece	Poland	the Republic of Ireland	Argentina	Qatar

Beijing Capital International Airport is the only entry-exit port applicable for the policy. And, the 72 hours will be calculated starting from the moment visitors get their transit stay permits.

Transit visitors have to carry identity documents with them while traveling during the 72 hours, and register at a police station with their documents within 24 hours of their arrival. Moreover, they will be not allowed to leave Beijing to other Chinese cities during the 72 hours, and have to depart from Beijing.

The visa-free policy is aimed at making Beijing more accessible to the world; and, more importantly, it is expected to attract more international travelers. Within a three-day stay, people are free to visit Beijing's well-known tourist spots, go shopping, and sample the local cuisine.

The New Year Water-Splashing Festival of Dai People in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan

The Water-Splashing Festival is the New Year’s celebrations of the Dai ethnic minority in Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China’s Yunnan Province. Annually, it is held on the 24th to 26th day of the sixth month of the Dai calendar. In Gregorian calendar, the festival always falls in the mid-April, and lasts at least three days. Jinghong, the capital of Xishuangbanna Prefecture, usually celebrates it from April 13 to 15.

Water-Splashing Festival, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan

For Dai people, the annual Water-Splashing Festival is the most important holiday. The three-day celebrations are filled with various activities, including dragon-boat races, traditional Dai dances, the launching of rockets, parades and fairs; but water splashing is central to all.

Dragon-boat racing during the festival

About the origin of the festival, legend has it that once upon a time, there was a “demon of fire” who brought all the pains and sufferings to the local people. All the people hatred him, but his magic was too powerful for them to overcome. One day in the sixth month, his seventh wife, who had been kidnapped from the village, tricked him into revealing his weaknesses. As he slept, his wives killed the demon by strangling him with a single hair of his own. Unfortunately, wherever his cut-off head tumbled about, there were raging flames. However, once the head was carried in the arms of one of the girls, the fire would immediately go out. So the girls decided to hold the post in turn, each for one year. At the time of New Year when they switch shifts, local people would gather to splash water on the relieved girl to clean the bloodstains on her body and help her recover from the year-long fatigue.

People splash water and give their best regards to each other.

Ever since, the Dai people have been celebrating the new year by water-splashing to wash away the dirt, sorrow and demons of the old year and bring in the happiness of the new. In the Dai culture, water serves as a symbol of sanctity and brightness. On April 15, 2012, tens of thousands of people throughout the world gathered to celebrate the Water-splashing Festival in Jinghong City. Along the roadsides, in public parks or squares, local people and tourists wearing colorful clothes splashed water and give their best regards to each other. During the festival, everyone is ready for blessing and receiving wishes from others. Foreighers would get special attention so prepare to be drenched all day. Remember, the wetter you get, the more luck you’ll receive.

Miao People's Folk Valentine's Day Opened in SW China

The Sisters Festival, or Valentine’s Day for the Miao ethnic minority in Taijiang County, southwest China’s Guizhou province, kicked off to the sound of Lusheng, a reed-pipe wind instrument, and drumbeats on April 5, 2012.

Girls dressed up at Miao Ethnic Sisters Festival

The three-day fest used to be a dating occasion for young Miao people to find their Mr. or Mrs. Right, but now it is celebrated by more than just hopeful singles.

Wu Li, 34, is a mother of two kids, but she is also very excited about the festival in Taijiang county and got up at 5 a.m. to put on make-up and get ready for the parade.

“Our ethnic costumes and the silver accessories on the head weigh over 5 kgs, but they look so beautiful and I have fun dancing in them,” Wu said.
Besides the parade, the Sisters Meal is a must during the festival. Young women make flower-shaped rice dumplings with keepsakes wrapped inside and serve them to the men they like, as the dumplings are shaped like flowers, so the festival is also known as the “Festival hidden in Flowers.”

Colorful Sister Meal - a must for the festival

Taijiang county is home to 159,000 people, of which the Miao account for 98 percent. For Miao people, the Sisters Festival is one of the most active festivals, and held annually from the 15th to 17th day of the third lunar month. In the festival, young lads and girls sing gentle love songs with soft emotion. It offers a good chance for them to meet and begin their courtship. Girls, who are the center of the festival, would invite their sweet hearts to eat Sister Rice. Also, there are other traditional activities, including canoeing contest, dragon dance, horse racing, and bullfighting.

Miao girls would serve Sister Meal to the men she likes.

(Source from Xinhua)