On 29th March, bullfighting or tauromachy,the traditional spectacle of Spain, was unveiled for the people of Chengdu in the Longquan Sunlight Stadium, as one of the highlights in The 22nd Peach Flower Festival, which kicked off on March 22nd.

The activity was to mark the five year anniversary of the founding of the Sino-Spain forum and strengthen cultural exchange between the two countries.

Bullfighting is widely regarded as the national sport and spectacle of Spain, a deeply ingrained, integral part of their national cultures. The day of bullfighting found Sunlight Stadium packed and every ticket sold out, conveying the aspiration of Chengdu citizens and their enthusiasm for the Spanish sport.

Don’t worry if you missed the event in Chengdu and the golden opportunity to see some thrilling bullfighting, because we have our own Chinese bullfighting festivals, too. The Bullfighting Festival of the Miao Nationality is the most popular among them. Compared with Spanish bullfighting, Miao bullfighting is more piquant and sensuous.

The Miao are one of the most ancient of China's nationalities, tracing their origins back more than 4,000 years. Miao people consider the bull a symbol of health, power, hard work and bravery, and the bullfighting festival epitomizes their inordinate fondness for bulls.

This festival is observed by the Miao people in the Kaiyang County of Yunnan province on the 25th day of the first lunar month. Legend has it that Kaiyang County once suffered a disastrous flood that wreaked havoc for a long time. On the 25th day of the first lunar month, when two bulls fought with each other beside the inundated riverbank, the flood miraculously subsided. Following they had a bumper harvest, an occurrence that seemed to confirm the auspicious events that preceded it. This is the origin of the festival. Miao people hold bullfighting festivals on that date every year to show their gratitude toward the bull.