Faithfulness is given top priority in translating texts for promoting ethnic culture,which is considered an integral part of China’s publicity efforts in a broad sense.This paper presents some representative mistranslations committed in translating ancient Chinese and historical book names,archeological terms,names of local governments and ethnic festivals and analyzes the deep reasons behind them,the result of which will not only help ensure the quality of publicizing the diverse ethnic culture in Southwest China,but also promote the translation criticism and improve the translation teaching.