The Second Nanyue Temple Fair Shehuo Festival kicked off at the Nanyueli Temple Fair Cultural Food Street in Hengyang City. The seven-day folk cultural carnival will run through January 1, 2026, presenting residents and visitors with a New Year cultural tourism feast that blends traditional charm with modern vitality. 

This year's Shehuo Festival centers on two themes: "Staging Shehuo Folk Performances" and "Visiting the Temple Fair." While deeply exploring the thousand-year-old temple fair culture of Nanyue, the event innovatively incorporates trendy elements beloved by younger generations.

During the event, visitors can not only enjoy intangible cultural heritage performances such as stilt walking, dragon and lion dances, fire tiger dances, and fireworks puppet shows, but also participate in interactive activities like the "A Thousand-Lantern Parade," "Three Gods of Fortune, Prosperity and Longevity Bringing Auspiciousness," and "Street Exploration." Tourists can also join in a dance around the bonfire and a party blending traditional Chinese elements with electronic music. On New Year's Eve, festivities will continue until midnight, including ceremonial events like a thousand people releasing wish balloons, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere to welcome the new year.

This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn. 

Translator: Xiao Juan

Chinese source: Voice of Hunan