On Saturday, villagers in Jianhe County, southwest China’s Guizhou Province, gathered to celebrate the traditional taigoujie, or the dog-lifting festival. /Tencent Photo

During the festival, the chosen dog would be dressed in tailor-made clothes and tiger-shaped hat, and then put in a special wooden chair for a grand parade in the village. /Tencent Photo

The festival is a centuries-old ritual unique to the ethnic Miao people. It is held to thank the dogs for finding water for their ancestors, to learn to be grateful and to promote equality among all creatures. Since 2015, the festival has been listed as an intangible cultural heritage of Jianhe County. /Tencent Photo