Experiencing A Fire Festival Firsthand in Chuxiong, China

We were supposed to be in Chuxiong which we picked as a random city to visit in China. Having learned about the annual Fire Festival being held here for the weekend, we decided to extend our stay here to a 3 day visit. Today was our third and last day of our visit to Chuxiong, China. We stayed at two different hotels. The first night we stayed outside the ancient town and the next two nights we were right inside the Yi Tribe ancient town.

One of the most enjoyable experiences we had in Chuxiong was watching the light and firework show at the waterfront park here in the Yunnan province! There were a number of free activities planned throughout the city to celebrate this annual festival. We went to the park where the show was supposed to take place. But after a walk around the park for thirty minutes, we arrived at the gate and were informed by the personnel at the entrance gate that the tickets were sold out for this evening‘s performance but tickets were avialable for the next few evenings. J. told the staff that this was our last night in the city and that we would not be able to watch the other evening shows. The staffer was very kind and accommodating. She called her supervisor and got permission to sell us the three tickets!

We got in and were seated at the VIP seats with excellent service from the staff. With the ticket we purcahsed, we were served with fresh frutis and nice desserts laid out beautifully in a buffet style. This was served to all guests with tickets which was 165 yuens each with no discount for seniors. What an evening! What a spectacular show with real performaers singing and dancing on a stage built in the middle of the lake. The program was followed by a laser show and firework display accompanied by beautiful music! Absolutely first class entertainment ! I always enjoy shows with an educational component. This show was informative regarding the history and achievement of the Yi people. A wonderful show indeed! For people who didn’t get tickets or could not afford them, they could still watch the show by the water’s edge. I think socialism works in China. Whether you are rich or poor, you can still take part in the celebrations with the more well to do having a better seats while the less affluent population would not be deprived of the festivities.

After the light show, we walked out of the park by the lake and came to a main street. Most of the street was blocked off with many huge fire bowls set up on stands. Kids and young people were walking around with lit torches which they could buy at a nearby stand set up for that purpose. It was something I NEVER SEEN BEFORE. People swinging fire torches around them, unreal! Then come pouring rain and we had to run for cover. We huddled under a bus shelter with many people. Rain kept getting heavier and we were soaked, with lighting and thunder, we were afraid that we could be hit by lightening, It went on for almost 30 minutes and I kept praying for God's protection. I have never experienced such heavy rainfall for such a long time. It didn't seem it would ever end. We were soaked to the bones. The only good things was that the temperature was not cold. Otheriwse we would have been frozen to death. Finally it died dwon a little and we walked in the light rain into a billiard hall for cover. While We were waiting for a cab for almost an hour, J. and Dad played a game of billiard for about 45 minutes while waiting. I couldn't remember the last time father and son played a game together for this long. An excellent bonding activity for the two of them! It was an exciting adventure! RT, Chuxiong, China 08102023