Since last week, tourists have been flocking to the mountainous county of Nandan, where a colorful cultural festival has been launched to introduce people to a little-known branch of the Yao ethnic group, known as the White-Trousered Yao people.

Nandan County counts several large communities of White-Panted Yao people, who get their name from the traditional white trousers sported by all adult men. Surrounded by mountains on all sides, local residents had little contact with the outside world until four decades ago. The cultural festival is the first event of such a scale. Through this activity, the local government hopes to introduce the distinctive local folk culture to more people.

Besides the loud ethnic music, over 1,000 elaborate Yao minority garments are displayed along the mountain paths, attracting throngs of tourists.

(CCTV.com February 24, 2004)