Every April, as the flamboyant phoenix flowers burst into bloom, the Dai people of Xishuangbanna welcome their most important celebration of the year — the Water Splashing Festival, also known in the Dai language as “Pi Mai”, meaning “New Year.” In 2025, the festival runs from April 13th to 15th, bringing with it a vibrant blend of ancient tradition, joyous rituals, and heartfelt blessings.
Colorful Water-Splashing Festival celebration with people joyfully splashing water, wearing traditional Dai minority costumes in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. Vibrant cultural event marking Dai New Year with water blessings, dragon boat races, and ethnic performances.
A Festival Rooted in Tradition
The Water Splashing Festival marks the Dai calendar year 1387 and symbolizes the turning of the year — a time to wash away the troubles of the past and usher in good fortune. The three-day celebration unfolds with its own rhythm:
April 13 (Wan Mau): Similar to Chinese New Year’s Eve, families deep-clean their homes, prepare offerings, and gather for community celebrations. Grand parades, traditional song and dance performances, dragon boat races, and lantern launches mark the beginning of the festivities.
April 14 (Wan Nao): Known as the “in-between day,” neither part of the old nor the new year, it is the highlight of ethnic costume parades and water splashing celebrations across the city — a joyous and inclusive spectacle of culture and unity.
April 15 (Wan Payawanma): The “Day of the King of Days,” equivalent to New Year’s Day, sees a mix of temple offerings, sand pagoda building, blessings with holy water, and all-day water splashing. It’s a day of renewal, gratitude, and shared happiness.
A Splash of Joy in Jinghong
Water-Splashing Festival celebration with people joyfully splashing water, wearing traditional Dai minority costumes in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan, China. Vibrant cultural event marking Dai New Year with water blessings, dragon boat races, and ethnic performances.
In Jinghong City, the heart of Xishuangbanna, the Water Splashing Festival reaches its peak. On April 14th, the city hosts a dazzling Traditional Ethnic Culture Parade, where locals don ornate traditional dress and fill the streets with music, dance, and colorful pageantry.
Then comes the most anticipated moment: the water battle. At Jinghong Water Splashing Square, crowds armed with water guns and buckets gather in the spirit of celebration. With a joyful shout, the splashing begins — a cascade of laughter, blessings, and refreshing fun. Strangers and friends alike join in this symbolic cleansing, where each splash is a wish for happiness, health, and good fortune.
More Than Just Water
Beyond the splash, the festival showcases a rich tapestry of ethnic culture and spiritual tradition. Visitors can enjoy:
Lantern releases over the Lancang River, lighting up the night sky with hopes and dreams.
Dragon boat races that test skill and unity on the water.
Evening cultural galas, where music, dance, and storytelling come together under the stars.
Bustling street markets and night bazaars filled with Dai cuisine, handicrafts, and festive vibes.
A Festival for All
The Water Splashing Festival is more than a celebration for the Dai people — it’s a national intangible cultural heritage and a cherished occasion shared with De’ang, Bulang, and Achang communities, as well as visitors from around the world. People of all ages, backgrounds, and nationalities come together to connect through water, joy, and shared cultural appreciation.
