China Folk Culture Villages

The China Folk Culture Village is a part of Splendid China Folk Village in Shenzhen, China. It is located adjacent to the Splendid China theme park and features displays of the daily life and architecture of China's 56 ethnic groups. It was opened to the public in October 1991. Occupies an area of 200,000 square meters, it is the first cultural scenic spot where tourists can experience Chinese traditional folk culture, arts and architecture. In the village, you will see the distinctive architecture of ethnic groups and join their brilliant festivals. Buying some handicrafts or tasting local snacks is another way to experience the China Folk Culture Village.

In all, there were 24 folk villages depicting different ethnic groups from all over China. Each village comprises three parts: a museum, an entertainment center, and living quarters for the staff. All are beautifully crafted and landscaped to represent the true characteristics of each group. While each of the ethnic groups offers performances and shows, choose which ones appeal to you most as you will not be able to see them all. In addition to each village having its own little show, there are three major shows every day. One is a horse show that reenactments an attack of Genghis Khan and is played out by skillful riders. There is also a fashion show where one can see many beautiful costumes and fantastic head pieces in an amazing parade.

If you come at right time, you will be able to experience some unique festivals of the minorities. In the Water-Splashing Festival, water is splashed on each other. In addition, the dragon-boat contest each spring, maintains the most important event in Dai people's lunar calendar. They hope to get rid of evil and misfortune from the last year and anticipate blessings in the coming year. In contrast, The Torch Festival is the most traditional event of the Yi ethnic group and held in the sixth month of the Chinese lunar calendar. Tourists will see the Yi people in bright garments carrying torches as they walk around their houses and farmlands. Maybe you will be invited to take part in the performance when the villagers happily sing and dance around their bonfires.

This cultural village also has over ten handcraft workshops which are run by operated by ethnic minorities who make and sell their unique wares; there are also several local authentic snack-stalls that offer the most mouth-watering ethnic food from all over China, expertly prepared. When dusk sets in daily parades are held displaying every minorities unique clothing, dance and music all in one single procession, as well as an accompanying water and light show, it indeed wonderfully displays the amazing multicultural nation that is China.

After strolling through the adventures there, tourists will have a greater understanding of some of the Chinese cultural groups. (Ps: China Folk Culture Village offers you minibuses or boats to tour. You may also walk to each spots within it.)

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