Chinese Nationalities (Dai Minority)

Dai Water-Splashing Festival

Dai festivals attract hordes of foreigners and Chinese alike. The Water-Splashing Festival is held around mid-April (usually 13 to 15 April) washes away the dirt, sorrow and demons of the old year and brings in the happiness of the new. The first day of the festival is devoted to a giant market. The second day features dragon boat racing, swimming races and rocket launching. The third day features the water splashing. No one is spared in the splashing. In the evening there's dancing, launching of hot air balloons, and game playing.