The Yi Ethnic Group in Yuanyang County of Southwest China's Yunnan Province celebrates two new years every year, based on their ancient sun calendar, which has only ten months. Each month begins with the rat day and ends with the pig day, following the pattern of the Chinese zodiac (represented by 12 animals). There are 36 days in each month with the twelve animals cycling three times. Thus there are only 360 days in a year, with the remaining five or six days considered as New Year days, which are celebrated in two periods.

The three-day long Big New Year occurs around the Summer Solstice (around June 21). The first day is the Receiving Ancestors Day; the second is Sacrificing Ancestors Day; and the third, Sending-off Ancestors Day.

The Small New Year occurs around the Winter Solstice (around December 22), which is usually only two days long with the first and second days being Sacrificing Ancestors and Sending-off days respectively. In leap years, the Sacrificing Ancestors Day is also added in the Small New Year.

With more and more contact and communication between the Han and Yi peoples in Yuanyang County, the Yi Ethnic Minority now also celebrates the Spring Festival, but with its own strong ethnic flavors.

The Yi families usually slaughter pigs three days before the Spring Festival. The house of a family is thoroughly cleaned. A pine tree is usually planted in the front courtyard, and pine branches are hung on doors, hearths and stables to wish for good luck in the coming year.

Every borrowed thing should be given back before the New Year's Eve, on which people should not stay at others' homes. There are many New Year Eve's taboos: Unlucky filthy talk and oaths should not be said on this night, and family members should not beat children and women.

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