Updated: 2007-04-11 10:44

Han people make up the bulk of the population of Chongqing. The city is a harmonious home for the Han and 50 national minorities such as Tujia, Miao, Hui, Manchu, Yi, and Tibetan. People of different ethnic groups live in harmony, and together they participate in the city’s political, economic and cultural affairs, creating the glorious history and culture of the city. By the end of 2003, the total population of Chongqing was 31,300,000. People of national minorities, mainly Tujia and Miao, make up 6.37% of the total population of the city. People of different ethnic groups still keep their respective traditional customs and habits. The Tujia people have their hand-waving dance, the Annual Fair, and local operas such as the nuo opera with masked dancing, and the huadeng opera, while the Miao people have their Autumn Fair, the Mountain-climbing Festival; besides, some national minority people have their Horse and Sheep Festival, Torch Festival, and keep other traditional practices such as weeping at the wedding and dancing at the funeral ceremony. The Tujia people are well-known for their houses built on hillside supported by poles, and the Miao people are famous for their traditional embroidery and wax printing. These varied and colorful local practices and customs make a great attraction to tourists from home and abroad.