Water Splashing Festival: A joyful tradition that brings people together

Locals and visitors alike are soaking up the fun in southwest China's Yunnan Province as the Water‑Splashing Festival kicks into high gear. Rooted in centuries‑old Dai tradition, the celebration marks the Dai New Year, with laughter, music and street energy filling the air.

Armed with buckets, basins and water guns, revelers swap playful splashes, each one like a living blessing. From traditional Bathing Buddha rituals to lively street parades, every splash does more than entertain: it washes away the past, carries good wishes forward and ushers in a fresh start. 

By the end, nobody leaves dry. Everyone leaves smiling.

What began as a spiritual ritual for blessings and cleansing has also become a magnet for travelers from across China and beyond.

As 2026 marks the China‑Africa Year of People‑to‑People Exchanges, festivals like this offer a powerful connection. Just as the Dai express renewal through water, many African cultures strengthen community through music, dance and harvest rites. 

Different traditions, same human instinct—to celebrate, renew and belong—reminding us that cultural understanding isn't about erasing differences, but sharing joy.

#ChinaNow WATCH: Water, wishes and wild fun—let’s join the Water Splashing Festival!

X: https://x.com/cgtnafrica/status/2043940940709277708

Facebook：https://www.facebook.com/cgtnafrica/videos/2129936867851970

YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxqksUqXjy8

Zhao Yijun of CGTN, Li Xun and Yang Zishuo of CMG Yunnan Bureau also contributed to the show.