Kaihai: opening the fishing season
Kaihai celebrates the opening of the fishing season. In Shuanglang’s traditions, a horn call, a procession honouring the local benzhu guardian deity and lotus lanterns connect the shore with the lake. Boats, fishing songs, Bai antiphonal singing, dabenqu storytelling and dragon and lion dances express the community’s ties to Erhai. Rushan-making, embroidery and all-fish meals offer further ways to discover its lakeside culture.
Shuahai: a gathering on the lake
Shuahai gatherings combine decorated boats, festive Bai dress, singing and dragon-boat traditions. Local legends connect them with Lady Baijie in the Dengchuan and Xizhou area and with Duan Chicheng around Dali and Xiaguan. In the latter story, the hero dies saving people from a giant serpent. These stories give the lakeside celebrations a rich layer of local memory.
