Yunnan town a model of ethnic identity preservation efforts

At 6 pm, as the sun begins to soften, hundreds of dancers dressed in various ethnic costumes gather in a large circle at the main square of Dukezong ancient town in Shangri-La, Yunnan province. Accompanied by music, they sing and dance, drawing curious tourists to join in.

On summer and autumn evenings, such song and dance activities are a daily occurrence in the square. The melodies are enchanting and the singing pleasant, as people from different ethnic groups come together to perform traditional dances and songs.

"In recent years, there has been a growing enthusiasm for intangible cultural heritage in our area. People's awareness of their cultural identity and the protection of heritage projects have significantly increased," said Wang Guoxin, director of the planning and protection department at the management center of Dechen ethnic cultural ecology protection zone.