Thousands of people gathered at the city square in Jinghong, Xishuangbanna on Tuesday to celebrate the annual Water Splashing Festival. Before the water splashing carnival began, a ceremony was held near the Lancang River to take the auspicious water to the square. With the day marking the New Year of the Dai ethnic group, several other folk activities – such as worshipping and bathing the Buddha and flying Kongming lanterns – are also held.