Dali Erhai Lake Opening Festival, Fishermen's Lanterns Shine Like Stars

Dali's winter is characterized by clear skies and light clouds, with seagulls and redwoods adorning the landscape of Cangshan and Erhai. The gentle sunlight scatters over the lake, sparkling with tiny glimmers. In January, we happened to catch the tail end of the Opening Festival. Since ancient times, Erhai Lake has been the mother lake of the people of Dali, nurturing generations of Bai people. The Opening Festival is a traditional celebration where local fishermen celebrate their harvest and pray for favorable weather in the coming year. As the melodious fishing songs resound, the fishermen set sail with hope, anticipating a bountiful harvest. During the Opening Festival, the shores of Erhai are bustling with activity. As night falls, the fishermen place their meticulously crafted lanterns into the water, which drift along with the current, resembling stars falling to the earth, making Erhai look like a dream. These lanterns are not only a symbol of the fishermen's reverence and gratitude towards the sea but also a prayer and hope for a better future. They sway gracefully in the water, illuminating the fishermen's way home and warming the hearts of every visitor.