1. China Ningxia Great Desert and Yellow River International Tourism Festival
Time: July every year
Venue: Zhongwei City in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region
Introduction: Jointly sponsored by the National China Tourism Administration and the People's Government of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, the Great Desert and Yellow River International Tourism Festival aims to launch exchanges and cooperation with domestic and foreign counterparts, strengthen friendship between the Chinese and foreign people, and promote the prosperity and development of Ningxia's tourism and economy through the display of the deserts in Ningxia, the ancient Yellow River culture, the customs and lifestyle of the Hui people, and the mysterious Western Xia Kingdom.
A series of special activities are held during the festival, such as a boat tour on the Yellow River, a tour of the ancient Great Wall, an exploration tour the deserts, an ecological tour of Shahu Lake, a tour of the land of the Hui people, a tour for tracing the Silk Road, a summer holiday tour in Liupan Mountain, a an exploration tour of Helan of the mysterious Western Xia Kingdom, drifting on the Yellow River by 1,000 people, walking through the Tengger Desert by 10,000people, a Carting car race, the week for the display of Western Xia Kingdom culture, the Taoyue "Yellow River Grassland Culture Tourism festival," and so on around Western Xia Tombs, Shahu Lake, Liupan Mountain, Helan Mountain and Tengger Desert.
Qinghai
1. Four Grand Summons Ceremonies at the Kunmbum Monastery
Time: From the 14th to 15th day of the first month, the 14th to the 15th day of the fourth month, the seventh to the eighth day of the sixth month, and the 22th to the 23rd day of the ninth month by the Tibetan calendar.
Venue: Huangzhong County, Qinghai Province
Introduction: Constructed to commemorate Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Sect, the Kumbum Monastery is a center for Buddhist activities in northwest China and one of the "holy lands" of the believers in Chinese Lamaism, known for the three consummate arts of butter sculpture flowers, murals and embroidered fabrics. The Grand Summons Ceremony is a Buddhist activity to Preach Buddhism and worship Buddha. The Kumbum Monastery holds four traditional summons ceremonies a year, with a magnificent scene and a solemn atmosphere, which are very attractive to tourists for China travel deals.
During the summons ceremony, the Tibetan, Tu and Mongolian people holds various Buddhist activities, such as the exhibition of butter sculpture Flowers, and displaying Buddhist images, From the 14th to the 15th day of the first month by the Tibetan calendar, Yamataka (Destroy of Death) Dance is performed and a large exhibition of butter sculpture flowers is held; from 14th to the 15th day of the fourth month by the Tibetan calendar, Buddhist believers do Yamataka Dance and display the images of Buddha under the sun; from the seventh to the eighth day of the sixth month by the Tibetan calendar, Buddhists perform Yamatak Dance and display the IMAGES OF Buddha under the sun; and from the 22nd to the 23rd day of the ninth month by the Tibetan Calendar, pilgrims perform Hayagriva (Horse-Head God) Dance, and Pay homage to Buddha and commemorate the death of Tsongkhaba. The activities are held around Kumbum Monastery, Dongguan Mosque, Qinghai Lake, Birds Island, etc.
Xinjiang
1. China Silk Road (Silk Road tour) Turpan Grape Festival
Time: August 25 too September 1 every year
Venue: Turpan city' the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region
Introduction: Grape cultivation in the world-famous city of Turpan has a history of more than 2,000 years. Of the 100-odd grapes, known as "green pearls of China," are the most precious. The raisin and wine produced in Turpan are known for their lingering good tastes. Most of Turpan's grapes are grown in the renowned Grape Valley, also called “Pearl City” in the deserts. The Xinjiang Grape Festival was first launched in 1990 and has since become an annual event in Turpan. There are the Uygur wedding ceremony, mashlap (lively and humorous folk dance), Koco-style songs and dances, the Hami-melon competition, economic and trade talks, a tour of the Grape and Melon Street, camel caravans, and reappearance of the Silk Road more than 2,000 years ago, around Flaming Mountain, Grape Valley in Turpan Depression.
2. Festival of East Fast-Breaking
Time: the first day of the 10th month by the Islamic Calendar.
Venue: the areas inhabited by the Hui, Uygur and Kazak people.
Introduction: According to the Islamic scriptures, when Islam was founded, Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which no food or drink may be taken between sunrise and sunset). After that he put on clean clothes and led Moslems to the outskirts to hold religious services and distribute fast-breaking donations to atone for their sins. With time going by, this practice has been handed down and become one of the three major festivals of Islam.
In the early morning of the Festival of Fast-Breaking, adult Muslims would take a bath, put on their holiday best and go to the mosque. In addition, Muslims visit friends and relatives, exchange greetings and gifts, such as oil and sanzi (fried dough twists) to express congratulations with each other. The people who live a nomadic attend the horse race, sheep-grasping on horse-back and other activities, adding much joyous atmosphere to the festival.
3. Corban Festival
Time: The 10 th day of the 12th month by the Islamic Calendar
Venue: The areas inhabited by the Hui, Uygur and Kazak people
Introduction: An ancient Arabic legend goes that Father Abraham had faith and trust in Allah. One day in his dream, Allah ordered him to kill son to offer sacrifices. When Abraham was about to execute his son, Allah dispatched an angel to the site with a sheep, ordering Abraham to slaughter the sheep instead. After that, people would slaughter sheep to pray for safety on the day. Now the Corban Festival (meaning slaughtering animals) is celebrated every year.
What's On: At the festival, Muslims would go to the mosque where they attend the religious service and the ceremony for slaughtering animals. Then every family would start celebrations by slaughtering cattle, sheep and camels to entertain friends and relatives. During the feast, they taste various delicious foods and chat happily with each other. The ethnic minority people in Xinjiang sing song and perform dances to celebrate the festival, in addition to other activities, such as grasping sheep on horseback, horse races and "chasing after girls."
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