As the Mid-Autumn moonlight dances upon the Jinsha River and National Day flags flutter through the mountain valleys, Shuifu, the northern gateway city of Yunnan, has quietly prepared a grand celebration of Yunnan's ethnic culture. This double holiday offers an immersive experience without the need to travel far to Dali, Lijiang, or Xishuangbanna.
From swimming in the Jinsha River and enjoying mooncakes in hot springs to dancing hand-in-hand with Miao sisters, hunting for treasures in forests, watching molten iron fireworks light up the night sky, and foraging for mushrooms and fruits in Mancheng Forest, Shuifu has truly transported the vibrant spirit of Yunnan right before your eyes. This holiday season, the city invites you to experience the province's rich heritage in one unforgettable destination.
Mid-Autumn at Shaonvping: Soaking the Moon in Hot Springs (September 25-27)
Before Mid-Autumn Festival arrives, Shaonvping kicks off the festivities with the "Chasing Waves in the Jinsha River" national open-water swimming invitational. Thousands of participants will brave the river's currents, a sight that stirs the blood just thinking about it. After working up a sweat, visitors can relax in the Shaonvping Hot Spring Center, where complimentary handmade mooncakes are offered, perfectly pairing warm mineral waters with the taste of reunion. As night falls, guests at the Yunjin Jinsha Lake Hotel can enjoy the traditional "high mountain flowing water" welcome toast ceremony and a lakeside lantern release for blessings, while the Yunjin Dianfeng Hotel organizes a collective Kongming lantern launch accompanied by Yunnan music. Families with children staying at the Yunjin Yinshi or Yunjing hotels can participate in free mooncake-making workshops to craft their own festive treats.
National Day at Shaonvping: A Grand Showcase of Yunnan's Ethnic Diversity (October 1-5)
During the National Day holiday, the Shaonvping scenic area transforms into a joyful ocean of Yunnan's ethnic cultures. Upon entry, visitors are greeted by a multi-ethnic welcoming ceremony, a pure Yunnan-style reception that sets the tone for a day of lakeside romance. A lively parade featuring various ethnic groups follows, offering open interactive encounters where travelers can feel the vitality and passion of Yunnan's minority communities up close. The immersive folk performances bring the atmosphere to life with bamboo pole dancing, hand drum interactions, blessing flower-sprinkling ceremonies, Yunnan song-and-dance circles, ethnic totem painting, and the grand high mountain flowing water ritual, all rotating in rapid succession to keep you captivated. Dancers in traditional ethnic attire further showcase cultural charm at the hot spring center.
As dusk settles, the skies ignite with the thousand-year-old intangible heritage of molten iron flower performances, sending cascading sparks across the darkness in a breathtaking display of flowing light. A special National Day birthday ceremony features cake distribution and a collective singing of the national anthem. The festivities culminate in a vibrant bonfire dance, a must-participate event that brings everyone together in celebration. When hunger strikes, the Dianwei Flavor Bazaar awaits with Yunnan hand-grabbed rice, charcoal-grilled skewers, fragrant crossing-the-bridge rice noodles, and aromatic flower cakes, offering a full taste of Yunnan in every bite. The Jinsha Lake Hotel and Yicheng Tongxu also host bonfire dances and folk guitar performances, inviting guests to circle the flames and immerse themselves in holiday leisure. Hotel guests can additionally enjoy free Yunnan intangible cultural heritage craft workshops, including fruit shell wind chimes and botanical printing.
Day and Night at Western Grand Canyon (October 1-7)
Shuifu offers far more than ethnic charm. The Western Grand Canyon Hot Springs, nestled on the Jinsha River's banks, deliver a cloud-height thermal experience that anchors the holiday itinerary. During the day, welcome dances kick off at 11:00 and 14:00, interactive performances happen at 14:30 and 17:00, and a surfing frenzy starts at 15:30 in China's largest wave pool. Evenings bring romantic lakeside music at 19:20 and 21:00, ethnic dance performances blending with hot spring nightscapes at 20:00, and a lively Guozhuang bonfire party at 20:40. From October 1 to 6, a spectacular fireworks display lights up the sky at 20:30 each night. Visitors sharing a birthday with the nation (October 1) can enter free with ID and receive a complimentary cake. Throughout the extended period from September 25, 2026 to February 3, 2027, ongoing activities include interactive performances, lakeside evening music, hot spring dances, and Guozhuang parties, with over 30 specialty pools such as petal, milk, vinegar, and red wine baths, plus sauna rooms and a salt experience hall for endless relaxation.
National Day at Tongluoba: An Emerald Wonderland (October 1-7)
Moving beyond the misty hot springs, the Tongluoba National Forest Park boasts a 97.4% forest coverage rate, an average summer temperature of just 19°C, and an astonishing 28,000 negative oxygen ions per cubic centimeter, earning its reputation as a true natural oxygen bar. This National Day introduces the "Forest Lake Treasure Hunt" mountain adventure season, featuring five interactive experiences, two scheduled performances, and one specialty dining venue. Guided wilderness hiking combines ecological education with a clean-mountain initiative, where collecting a full bag of litter earns a small gift, and three or more bags secure exclusive Tongluoba forest cultural merchandise. The forest lake treasure hunt places lucky bags along the Fairy Lake sightseeing trail, with one token yielding a souvenir and five unlocking a surprise grand prize. Fishing for small white fish with the unique bottle method offers escalating rewards, from pet feed at five catches to tea garden craft vouchers at fifteen. The Elf Valley archery and pet park provides traditional bow experiences, with feed for target hits and small gifts for bullseyes, alongside opportunities to feed squirrels, sika deer, rabbits, and goats, complemented by two daily educational talks. At the Dongjia Tea Garden, visitors can pick and process tea leaves, engage in nature-inspired creative painting, or try garden-specific bottle fishing, with finished tea leaves available to take home, and activities automatically moving indoors on rainy days.
Two major performances round out the experience: a folk water show on Fairy Lake at 11:00, 13:00, and 14:00, featuring traditional Chinese-style painted boats, and an evening bonfire performance from 19:00 to 20:30 with singing, dancing, lucky draws, and communal fire dances. The Huxia Kitchen, open from 11:00 to 22:30, serves Sichuan-Yunnan home-style dishes, wild mountain mushroom soups, charcoal BBQ, and trendy light bites, with QR code ordering and dining vouchers accepted.
Autumn Delights: Mushroom Foraging and Fruit Picking in Mancheng Forest
Autumn in Mancheng Forest marks the prime season for gathering wild mushrooms. Maple leaves gradually turn red, dotting the woodland with color, while fallen foliage carpets the ground along soft pathways. Wild kiwifruit ripens hidden among the vines, and wild walnuts, chestnuts, and August melons offer a continuous bounty of surprises. Edible greens like dandelions and plantain are still ripe for picking, allowing visitors to bring the taste of the mountains home. An 11-kilometer forest wellness trail invites free exploration, and on rainy days, the air bursts with negative oxygen ions, making every breath feel sweet and refreshing. Year-round, anglers can fish in the cold-water mountain streams for the locally prized corn-fed fish. On clear evenings, lying beneath a canopy of stars creates an unforgettable romantic experience.
For bookings and inquiries, contact the following hotlines: Yunjin Jinsha Lake Hotel at 0870-2862888, 18328069998, or 18987006343; Yunjin Yunjing Hotel at 0870-3180055, 18328069998, or 18987006343; Yunjin Xianlu Mountain Yinshi Hotel at 0870-8128555, 19869586900, or 18987006343; Yunjin Xianlu Mountain Dianfeng Hotel at 0870-8125666 or 19808700755; Shaonvping Tourism Resort at 0870-3109000 or 0870-3107319; Mancheng Forest Hotel at 13578029135; and Western Grand Canyon Hot Springs at 0870-8938001. This Mid-Autumn and National Day holiday, there is no need to travel far. Come to Shuifu to soak in warm springs, embark on a forest adventure, wander through the Shaonvping ethnic celebration, forage for mushrooms and fruits in Mancheng Forest, sing and dance around bonfires, and drift off to sleep under the stars. Starting September 25, we'll see you in Shuifu!