Leaders from the Leishan County Committee, the People's Government of Leishan County, the Communist Youth League Qiandongnan Prefecture Committee, the Women’s Federation of Qiandongnan Prefecture, and the Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village Cultural Tourism Development Co., Ltd. jointly attended the opening ceremony of the evening event. Together with tourists from over 20 provinces and cities across the country, they experienced the unique ethnic culture of the Miao people.
A sudden heavy rain could not dampen the audience's enthusiasm for watching the "Youfang."
The interactive "Youfang" session during the evening pushed the event to its climax. Eight single men and women who participated in "Youfang" went through stages of getting to know each other (self-introductions), deepening their connection (love declarations and talent performances), and falling in love (heartfelt confessions). Some men even showed off all kinds of skills to win the hearts of their favorite ladies, eventually holding hands successfully and experiencing a "Youfang" under everyone’s watchful eyes. Although the sudden heavy rain during the evening caught tourists off guard, it added a touch of romance to the event and in no way dampened the enthusiasm of the guests and visitors.
Everyone yearns for a love that lasts forever, and such unforgettable moments always begin with a love token. The Miao people are no exception. The Xijiang Qianhu Miao Village scenic area, home to numerous intangible cultural heritages, also prepared a surprise for the participating visitors. From July 20 to August 25, all participants in the event can choose to learn one traditional handicraft intangible cultural heritage skill (such as Miao silver jewelry forging, Miao embroidery, flying songs, bronze drum dancing, or batik) within the scenic area, crafting a one-of-a-kind love token for their loved ones.
It is reported that this "Youfang" event not only attracted numerous tourists but also drew the attention of well-known domestic scholars in intangible cultural heritage protection. They believe that the "Youfang Xijiang: Encounter Pure Love" event is not only a continuation of traditional Chinese culture but also an organic fusion of Chinese traditional culture with Miao ethnic charm. By adding new elements on the foundation of tradition, it has infused the "Youfang" festival with more contemporary appeal, setting a fine example and providing valuable reference for the protection and inheritance of ethnic culture and the creation of more ethnic cultural brands. It is bound to become one of China’s most renowned ethnic cultural brands.