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Dai New Year fest

The annual water festival celebrated by the Dai ethnic group will be held in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna, Yunnan province, from April 13 to 15.

The three-day water-splashing rite is actually a celebration of the Dai New Year, a time when they prepare their best food, mount stage performances like dragon-boat races and peacock dances, shoot rockets and sprinkle water to bring good luck.

Some carnival events and evening entertainment will be included in the celebration this year.

Jinghong is 5 kilometers from Xishuangbanna Airport, which is served by 45-minute flights from Kunming, the capital city.

High-altitude peonies

The peony garden on Lion Mountain (Shizishan) in Wuding more than 2,400 meters above sea level refutes the old Chinese saying that peonies can only be planted in Central China. Its blossoms are now a popular tourist attraction in Yunnan.

Emperor Jianwen of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), who was said to have become a monk on the mountain after he was deposed, planted its first peony. Nearly 7 hectares of peonies - of all types, with bigger flowers and longer blooming times than in Central China - now blossom every year.

The Peony Culture Tour Festival has been held from mid-March to early May for 20 years, combining the appreciation of peonies, tours of famed Buddhist mountain temples and displays of local customs.

Visitors can take a flight to Kunming, then a two-hour bus trip to Wuding.

Kite gala in Weifang

Weifang in Shandong province - known around the world as the "Capital of Kites" - will hold its annual International Kite Festival, April 20 to 25.

Events include international and domestic kite-flying competitions, and a selection of 10 unique kites. Tourists can visit the Kite Museum in Weifang, and enjoy the folk art performances from Yangjiafu, a locale famous for its traditional graphic arts.

Direct flights to Weifang are available from Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou or you can get there from Jinan or Qingdao by train or bus.