Horse Races Kick Off in Dali for the Bai People's "Third Month Fair"

In southwest China, an ancient tradition has once again come alive at full gallop. On Saturday, in the city of Dali, Yunnan Province, horse races kicked off to mark the annual festival of the Bai people — the "Third Month Fair", known in Chinese as Sanyue Jie. Here is the story — as reported by SSTV+.

This fair has a history of nearly 1,300 years, dating back to the Tang Dynasty, which ruled from 618 to 907. Today, it is a major celebration in Dali — one of the main population centres of the Bai ethnic group — and continues to charm both locals and tourists with its vibrant festivities.

This year, in addition to equestrian teams from across Yunnan Province, the event has attracted horse clubs from all over the country. Organisers note that this reflects the growing influence of the occasion and the rising level of competition.

During the races, riders thundered fiercely down the track while spectators cheered enthusiastically, creating an atmosphere of joy and excitement.

To participate in this year's Third Month Fair races, said Liu Jie, deputy director of the Dali City Bureau of Education and Sports, 18 teams with 90 horses were invited from the province and other regions of the country. According to Liu, the horses will compete in two main categories across ten disciplines, including speed races and horseback archery.