Longsheng rings in Dong New Year with festive music

Lejiang town in Longsheng multi-ethnic autonomous county celebrated the annual Dong New Year on Dec 20, attracting Dong people from Longsheng and bordering Hunan areas, along with tourists from around the nation.

Dong New Year, observed on the first day of the eleventh lunar month, became a statutory holiday in 2018 following local legislative revisions. It now serves as a key platform for ethnic unity and cultural exchange.

A pipa and singing performance is held. [Photo/Guilin Daily]

The festival began with a vibrant parade at 9 am, featuring two 30-meter-long suspended dragons, traditional bull and lion dances, and melodic Lusheng performances. A 200-member pipa ensemble performed in unison, vividly showcasing Dong cultural heritage.

A lion dance is performed. [Photo/Guilin Daily]

Following the parade, an ethnic cultural show highlighted elements from Longsheng, Tongdao (Hunan province), and Sanjiang (Liuzhou city). A banquet offered local specialties like sour fish, pork, and duck, fostering connection between residents and visitors over shared meals.

Promoted through multiple channels, the "Celebrating Dong New Year" tourism campaign has been launched in Guilin's Xiangshan scenic area and will extend to Shenzhen's Nanshan district, enhancing regional cultural visibility and supporting rural vitalization.

People dance together in the Dong New Year reunion dance. [Photo/Guilin Daily]