The Taoliaogui Festival is one of the grandest and most solemn traditional festivals for the Huayao people, a branch of the Yao ethnic group, who live in Longhui County, Shaoyang City, Hunan Province. This unique festival has a history of over a thousand years and was selected as an intangible cultural heritage item of Hunan Province in 2009.

A file photo shows Huayao women showcasing their dancing skills at a performance to celebrate the Taoliaogui Festival in Longhui County, Shaoyang City, Hunan Province. /CFP

The name of this festival means "getting away from evil." In ancient times, Huayao people hid themselves away from evil in their farmlands where they depended on cucumbers and white melons to assuage their hunger. They survived these misfortunes and established the festival to celebrate their solidarity and pray for blessings.

Huayao people celebrate the festival twice a year, during which they dress in their traditional costumes and gather to hold a series of activities to celebrate this grand occasion. Huayao women dress up in costumes that feature elaborate flower patterns to present their beauty and embroidery skills. They also learn embroidery skills from each other to develop their handicrafts on the occasion. The talented Huayao people showcase their singing and dancing skills through a number of performances, creating a passionate festive atmosphere.

A file photo shows Huayao women showing off their embroidery skills during the Taoliaogui Festival in Longhui County, Shaoyang City, Hunan Province. /CFP

During the festival, locals flock to the local market to buy products, and merchants from nearby areas also take the opportunity to do business. The market is filled with all kinds of stalls, including food, clothing and household supplies.

A file photo shows a tourist visiting the local market during the Taoliaogui Festival in Longhui County, Shaoyang City, Hunan Province. /CFP

In addition, the festival is also a good opportunity for young Huayao men and women to meet and find their loved ones. The Taoliaogui Festival features the Huayao people's rich history and culture, which has been passed down from generation to generation.