Sanduo Festival: Naxi rites at Baisha's Beiyue Temple each spring
Beiyue Temple, Baisha, Yulong county, Lijiang
Sanduo is the Naxi protector god, said to be the spirit of Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, and his festival on the 8th day of the 2nd lunar month is the signature event of the Naxi year; because it follows the lunar calendar, it lands on a different Gregorian date each year, between late February and late March. In the morning Dongba priests lead the rites at Beiyue Temple in Baisha, also called Sanduo Ge and first built in the Tang dynasty. Families then burn incense, picnic, sing and dance, and many go on to see the camellias at Yufeng Temple. The city now adds mass circle dancing, long-table banquets and stage shows at venues around town; in 2026 they ran for more than two weeks.
What locals sayMost visitors remember the mass circle dance, where Naxi residents and tourists join hands; expect a crowded local holiday rather than a quiet day out in Baisha.
- Time
- Half day · 8th day of the 2nd lunar month
- In Chinese
- 三多节 北岳庙（三多阁）
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Based on what locals and regular visitors share, checked against current sources · Updated September 2026. Details change — check opening times locally.
