Midu, Dali, Yunnan – September 03, 2026 – A Folk Song Invites Guests from Afar; A Racecourse Gathers Runners from Every Corner. A press conference for the 2026 “Flowing Stream” Dali·Midu Folk Song Festival and the 2026 “Oriental Beauty Valley” Dali “Flowing Stream” Half Marathon (collectively referred to as “One Festival, One Race”) was held in Kunming on September 2. Organizers extended a warm invitation to the public to join the gathering of mountains and waters under the theme “Flowing Stream · Happy Midu.”
This marks the fourth consecutive year that Midu County has hosted “One Festival, One Race.” Renowned as “China’s Hometown of Folk Songs,” Midu boasts a profound cultural heritage in folk music. More than 400 Midu folk songs are currently on record. Classic pieces such as “Flowing Stream,” “Midu Mountain Song,” “Ten Sisters,” and “Embroidering a Pouch” remain widely sung and celebrated both in China and abroad. In May 2011, Midu folk songs were inscribed on the third national list of intangible cultural heritage. On May 1, 2024, the Decision of the Standing Committee of the Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture People’s Congress on the Protection and Inheritance of Midu Folk Songs came into effect, bringing the safeguarding and transmission of Midu folk music onto a legislated and standardized track.
The 2026 “Flowing Stream” Dali·Midu Folk Song Festival is hosted by the Communist Party of China Midu County Committee and the Midu County People’s Government. Under the theme “Flowing Stream · City of Folk Songs,” the festival officially opens with a folk song concert on the evening of September 24. The concert is structured in four movements inspired by Midu’s four most celebrated folk songs: “Reencountering Ten Sisters,” “Revisiting Embroidering a Pouch,” “Resinging Midu Mountain Song,” and “Rehearing Flowing Stream.” Through September 27, cultural performances will be staged each evening, including a Mid-Autumn Festival gala, a marathon-night DJ concert, and an intangible cultural heritage showcase.
The Dali “Flowing Stream” Half Marathon has been held three times previously. Its inaugural edition in 2023 garnered wide acclaim and was recognized by the Chinese Athletics Association as a exemplary case of “sports-tourism integration” in road racing events. With its scenic course, professional event management, and well-conceived runner services, the race has earned positive reviews from participants and online audiences alike, establishing a distinctive brand identity as “a small city hosting a major race.”
The 2026 “Oriental Beauty Valley” Dali “Flowing Stream” Half Marathon is a Class A certified event by the Chinese Athletics Association. It is organized by the Dali Prefecture People’s Government and co-organized by the Dali Prefecture Education and Sports Bureau, the Communist Party of China Midu County Committee, and the Midu County People’s Government. The race will start at 7:30 a.m. on September 27 at Haolai Century Plaza in Midu County, with 8,000 runners from across the country expected to participate. This year’s event continues to build on its brand identity and has upgraded its signature attraction: the green musical racecourse. The route passes by urban landmarks, ecological riverbanks, pastoral landscapes, modern agricultural parks, and lakeside greenways. Along the course, runners can listen to melodious Midu folk songs and experience Midu’s natural beauty, rich folk customs, and deep historical heritage at every step.
In addition, the “Return to Dali · National Health Walk (Midu Leg)” will be held on September 26, with a total of 6,000 participants. By combining the two cultural and sporting events, organizers aim to leverage sports to boost tourism and showcase the full, unique charm of “Flowing Stream · Happy Midu.”
During the “One Festival, One Race” period, Midu County will also host exhibitions of intangible cultural heritage and local specialty products, mass cultural performances at scenic spots, and tasting events featuring Midu cuisine. These activities comprehensively showcase the charm of Midu’s folk song culture and local characteristics, further strengthening the cultural brand of “Flowing Stream · Happy Midu.”
Reporters learned that the sustained commitment to “One Festival, One Race” serves as a key vehicle for Midu County to build a “City of Folk Songs” and a “City of Outdoor Sports” based on its local cultural heritage. Through festivals and races, the county is creating new momentum for the integration of culture and tourism, supporting high-quality development across the region.
About Midu County
Located in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, Midu County is known as “China’s Hometown of Folk Songs,” with over 400 registered folk songs including the world-renowned “Flowing Stream.” Midu folk songs were inscribed on China’s national intangible cultural heritage list in 2011, and dedicated local protection regulations took effect in 2024. In recent years, Midu has built itself into a “City of Folk Songs” and a “City of Outdoor Sports” through its “One Festival, One Race” initiative, advancing the integrated, high-quality development of culture, sports, and tourism.
Media ContactCompany Name: Midu County People\’s GovernmentContact Person: Mr. XiangEmail: Send EmailCity: Midu, DaliState: YunnanCountry: ChinaWebsite: https://www.midu.gov.cn/
