What Special Folk Festivals Does Foshan Have?

Time: The 15th day of the first lunar month

The custom of Tongji Bridge Walk originated between the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, with a history of over 200 years. It is a traditional festive activity for sightseeing and praying for blessings held during the Lantern Festival across Foshan. A local folk proverb is still widely passed down: "Walk Tongji, all troubles flee away."

On the festival day, locals march in grand crowds from north to south across Tongji Bridge, holding pinwheels, ringing wind chimes and carrying lettuce. They burn incense, toss lettuce and spin pinwheels to pray for peace and smooth luck in the coming year. Originally, the official day for Tongji Bridge Walk fell on the 16th day of the first lunar month, yet the local government later adjusted it to the 15th day.

Time: The first day of the Lunar New Year

The Awakened Lion Dance is an authentic Cantonese folk dance and a treasure of Guangdong’s traditional dance culture. As an indispensable highlight of Foshan’s Spring Festival customs, lion dance performances can be enjoyed starting from New Year’s Day. The thunderous beat of gongs and drums accompanies splendid lion shows staged in front of village ancestral halls and along town streets everywhere.