Festivals in Hezhou

Hezhou is home to multiple ethnic groups with rich and diverse ethnic customs. A host of traditional festivals including the Fushan Folk Song Festival, Firecracker Festival and Fuyang Street Lantern Festival fully showcase the local folk traditions, long history and splendid culture of the region.

Time: The first lunar month (also celebrated in the third, fifth or eighth lunar month in some areas)

Introduction A grand festival of the Zhuang people in Hezhou, it is usually held alongside temple fairs. As the festival approaches, locals make lanterns and prepare dragon and lion dance props, traditional eight-tone musical instruments, decorated flower bridges and large incense candles.

On the fair day, lion dance troupes perform while bands play lively music amid the deafening sound of gongs and drums, creating a joyous atmosphere. The firecracker snatching contest kicks off with three blasts of firecrackers. Competitors scramble fiercely for the token. The person who seizes it wins the contest and kowtows before the God of Firecrackers. Afterwards, lion dancers and musicians escort the deity figurine to the winner’s home. One year later, the figurine is returned to the temple fair, and the tradition repeats year after year. The festival also serves as a large-scale trade fair.

Time: From the 10th to the 15th day of the first lunar month

Introduction It is a traditional Lantern Festival celebration in Fuchuan County, lasting six days. Lanterns are officially hung on the 10th day and taken down on the 15th day.

Bright lanterns adorn pavilion stands along every street. Gongs, drums and firecrackers ring out nonstop. Dragon dance teams performing with yellow, green and white dragons parade and pay homage before the lantern pavilions. People of all ages across the county gather in the town to admire the lanterns and dragon dances, sing folk songs and watch theatrical shows.

Time: The 15th day of the fifth lunar month

Introduction Fushan is a well-known scenic spot in He County. On the festival day, tens of thousands of people come to join the celebration, including visitors from neighboring Hunan and Guangdong provinces.

Numerous singing stages are set up along the river beach. Singers take to the stages to compete in folk song duels starting at noon. Most songs are improvised on the spot. Performances feature local folk tunes such as Liluoke and Lianshan Melody, the Hakka folk song Dingdongding, as well as the Yao ethnic tune Lafa Qiang. The whole venue is filled with lively cheers and singing.