The opening ceremony of this year's Torch Festival was held in Xichang City in southwest China's Sichuan Province on Thursday. The Torch Festival, which falls on the 24th of the sixth lunar month every year, is the most solemn and grand traditional festival for the Yi ethnic group. Fire is the symbol of the Yi people's pursuit of light and believed to have the ability to drive away insects and pests. People usually dress up and take part in wrestling and bullfighting activities, and sing and dance around a bonfire.

In Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture in southwest China's Yunnan Province, five spots were set for celebrating the festival. People held torches and danced around the bonfire, praying for a smooth and healthy life.