There are three main ethnic minority groups in Zhangjiajie: Tujia, Bai and Miao. These groups make up 77 percent of Zhangjiajie's total population and many visitors count their festivals among the highlights of their visit.
Tujia
Tujia are one of the main minority groups in Zhangjiajie and they live in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture. Their diet consists mainly of rice and corn. The local flavored products are Ciba, Tuansa and preserved ham. They have their own dress style and their own folk music. It is worthy to mention that Tujia Brocade is one of the five excellent brocades in Zhangjiajie. Main cultural festivals include the Sheba Festival and Gannian Festival. The Sheba Festival is usually held during the 3rd -15th day of the first month, the 3rd day of the third month, and the 6th day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar. It is an age-old celebrated festival of Tujia minority group. Gannian Festival is the most ceremonious festival and it is usually held in 28th or 29th of the twelfth month of the lunar calendar. It is to celebrate the coming Chinese New Year.
Miao
The Miao minority group is a populated and widely distributed group throughout Chinese nation. In the area of Zhangjiajie where the Miao minority group mostly lives you can see many traditional ceremonious activities. Their special festivals include Miao Folk Song Festival and Antiphonal Singing Festival (also called Miao's Valentine's Day). The former festival is celebrated on the 6th day of the sixth month of the lunar calendar in the memory of their folk heroes. And the latter festival is celebrated on the 3rd day of the third month of the lunar calendar.
