When the aroma of sizzling pork ribs mingles with the melody of lusheng pipes, you know the holiday spirit is alive. In Rongshui Miao Autonomous County, south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, local Miao people and visitors joined a communal barbecue party to celebrate both the autumn harvest and China’s National Day.
Long wooden skewers loaded with fresh fish from nearby rivers and juicy cuts of pork took center stage, grilled to smoky perfection over open flames. Families gathered around makeshift tables, sharing plates and swapping harvest stories under the crisp October sky. "This feast brings everyone together to honor the land’s bounty," said one Miao villager, her eyes gleaming in the firelight.
Between mouthfuls of tender meat, dancers clad in colorful brocade stepped into the clearing, their movements choreographed to the lusheng—a bamboo reed instrument that has been the heartbeat of Miao gatherings for centuries. Visitors even tried their hand at the signature hornpipe tune, fostering cross-cultural exchange in every note.
Beyond the barbecue, the event highlights a rising trend: immersive rural festivals that draw young global citizens and digital nomads seeking authentic experiences. Here, tradition meets innovation, as sustainable travel and cultural preservation unite around communal flames and shared melodies.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
