Lijiang's 'Bangbang' bazaar makes a bang with Lantern Festival

A traditional activity of the Naxi people in Lijiang's Yulong Naxi autonomous county, the Bangbang bazaar fell on March 2 this year, which is also the day of Chinese Lantern Festival, a tradition of the Han people.

The Bangbang bazaar originated in the late Qing Dynasty. It marks the end of Spring Festival and the beginning of spring agricultural production. The event used to be a trade fair selling farm tools, such as wood sticks, dustpans, and chopping boards.

Bonsais are on sale at this year's Bangbang bazaar on March 2. [Photo/Yunnan.cn]

Today, it has evolved into a platform for trade and exhibitions of flowers, fruit tree seedlings, bonsai and agricultural tools made of wood and bamboo.

Zhao Guohu, a Naxi native, said that his family attends the Bangbang bazaar every year, and this year's flowers and bonsai are more spectacular than ever before.

Local Naxi people buy wood sticks at the Bangbang bazaar on March 2 as a tradition. [Photo/Yunnan.cn]

In order to better display Lijiang's folk culture and create a rich flavor of Naxi culture this year, Lijiang organized the Bangbang bazaar in four places across the city, including Zhaoqing Integrated Farmers Market, Yulong county and Xiangjiang Market.

The bazaars all display tools, flowers, nursery stock, bonsais, and root carvings for sale.

People in Naxi traditional clothing on their way to the traditional Bangbang bazaar on March 2 [Photo/Yunnan.cn]