San Yue San celebrations in Guangxi advice

Question

Hello all,

I'm into festivals / cutural performances and plan a short trip to Guangxi during San Yue San on 31 March . My rough itinerary is as below. Pls. feel free to advise if my plan is okay :)

1. 28-29 Mar : Zhaoxing Dong Village (Congjiang) /surrounding village - hope to catch some pre- San Yue San preparation

2. 30 - 31 Mar: Ping An Long Sheng village - hope to catch hair rituals of Red Dao women on San Yue San 31 March itself

3. 1 Apr (2nd day of San Yue San): do u have any advice where I should go (Guilin, Liuzhou or Nanning? Or should I explore other villages near Long Sheng). From what I check online, some celebrations / cultural performances may continue post 1st day of San Yue San. I need to take a flight at night though to leave China (I haven't booked a flight yet - pretty flexible in terms of departure airport).

Thank you :)

Kevin

Answer

Kevin, your plan for visiting Guangxi during San Yue San looks well thought out. This festival, celebrated by multiple ethnic groups such as the Dong, Yao, Zhuang, and Miao, is rich in cultural performances, singing, dancing, and unique rituals, making Guangxi a perfect destination.

28-29 March: Zhaoxing Dong Village

Arriving in Zhaoxing a few days before the main festival is a good idea. You’ll likely catch preparations for San Yue San, including bamboo drum performances, traditional singing, and decorations around the village. This pre-festival atmosphere gives a deeper insight into local customs.

30-31 March: Ping’an / Longsheng

Ping’an Village in Longsheng is famous for the terraces and Red Yao (Dao) minority. On 31 March, the main San Yue San activities occur. The “hair rituals” of Red Yao women, where married women show their long hair in traditional ceremonies, are a highlight. Expect:

Local markets with traditional crafts and festive foods
Folk singing and dance performances in the village square
Opportunity to see traditional attire and rituals, including the long hair ceremony

1 April (2nd day of San Yue San): Recommendations

Since you need to depart China in the evening, options depend on how much travel you want to do versus enjoying post-festival celebrations. The festival often continues with smaller performances and family gatherings even after the first day.

Nearby Villages around Longsheng: Exploring neighboring villages such as Dazhai or Huangluo can offer quieter, authentic experiences. These villages may have smaller-scale singing, dancing, or terrace-viewing events post the main day.
Guilin: If you want urban conveniences and easier flight options, Guilin city is a practical choice. You can visit the scenic areas like Elephant Trunk Hill or Reed Flute Cave and still catch some smaller San Yue San celebrations nearby.
Liuzhou or Nanning: Less ideal unless you are flying out from these cities. They are farther from Longsheng, and festival-specific activities may be limited compared to Longsheng or nearby villages.

Flight considerations:

It’s best to book a flight from Guilin Liangjiang International Airport if you plan to leave in the evening of 1 April. This airport is closer to Longsheng than Liuzhou or Nanning and offers multiple domestic and international flights.
Allow enough time for travel from villages to Guilin (1.5–2 hours by car or bus), especially after festival activities.

Additional Tips:

San Yue San involves large crowds in main villages; plan your accommodation early.
Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for hilly walking terrain in Longsheng and surrounding villages.
Bring a camera or smartphone with extra battery/memory—festival performances and terrace scenery are highly photogenic.
If time permits, consider a short stop in smaller Dong villages near Zhaoxing to see authentic local life post-festival.

Overall, your itinerary is solid: pre-festival in Zhaoxing, main festival in Ping’an/Longsheng, and then either nearby villages for quieter cultural immersion or Guilin for convenience and scenic attractions before departure.

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