Most of the 1.372 million Bai people live in Dali Prefecture.
Rice is a staple food on Bai diet. There is a variety of celebrated Bai specialities and flavors; fish pot and Xizhou cake in Xiaguan, cheese fan and carved berry in Eryuan, ham and rice cake in Heqing, and preserved winter melon in Weishan.
The Third Month Fair, a one-week commodity exchange fair starting the 15th day of the third lunar month, is a grand Bai occasion held on the open square at the west gate of ancient Dali. Horse racing, folk songs and dances draw visitors from cities and towns across the province.
Raosanling Festival (Festival of Traveling through the Three Holy Places) is observed from the 23rd to the 25th days of the fourth lunar month, around the Cangshan Mountain and Erhai Lake, by beautifully dressed Bai people. This is a full 4-day revelry.
The first day is spent for overnight praying and antiphonal singing competition at Benzhu Temple and Shengyuansi Temple. On the second day, crowds of people travel southward through Xizhou to Benzhu Temple of Hesi County, at Erhai Lake.
On the third day, the pilgrimage moves to Benzhu Temple of Majiu County, east of Chongshengsi Temple. The festival ends in prayers.
The Shibao Mountain Singing Gala is celebrated in Jianchuan County, from the 27th day of the seventh lunar month to the first day of the 8th lunar month. It is a great time for the young people who search for their future husband or wife.
