A feast of immortal proportions

To the sound of the lusheng, a traditional bamboo pipe, people dressed in traditional attire rejoiced during the annual Gannangxiang Lusheng Festival in Zhouxi town of Kaili, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong autonomous prefecture, Southwest China's Guizhou province. Gannangxiang is a phonetic transliteration from the Miao language, meaning "the lower reaches of the river, where immortals gather".

For over 400 years, it has been a grand celebration for the people of Kaili, and was placed on the list of provincial-level intangible cultural heritage in Guizhou in 2007.

Lasting from Feb 12 to Monday this year, the festival attracted visitors from across the country, drawn by its beautiful lusheng playing, songs and dances.

For Wu Qian, a mother of two pairs of twin sisters, the festival is a time for family reunion at her mother's house in Zhouxi.

Wu says she believes attending the gathering is the best way to keep the culture of the Miao ethnic group alive.

On Feb 12, the evening of the 15th day of the first month in the Chinese calendar, a solemn initiation ceremony took place, during which elders led the lusheng players and villagers to a hall to offer sacrifices for a favorable weather, abundant harvests, and prosperity in the Chinese New Year.

The next day, the festival officially began. Thousands of residents, dressed in their finest, gathered in a square to celebrate. One of the highlights of the festival was the traditional clothing parade on Feb 14.

According to local authorities, the event breathes new life into ancient traditions, and attracts more than 500,000 visitors every year.

"I come here because of its fame. The lusheng music, the songs and dances, and the costumes allow me to experience ethnic customs and cultural beauty up close. It was truly worth the trip," says Chen Jun, a visitor from Dazhou, Sichuan province.