Welcome to the Hengdian Grand Temple Fair!
"Welcome to the Hengdian Grand Temple Fair!" The resounding cheers echo through the sky as thousands of people in ethnic and film costumes pour out from the Golden Water Bridge. This isn't Tiananmen Square in Beijing—it's the scene of Hengdian Film and Television City’s thousand-strong staff filming a Spring Festival promotional video at the Ming & Qing Palace Scenic Area. In 2015, the national 5A-level tourist attraction—Hengdian Film and Television City—prepared an early and lavish “feast” for travelers—the Hengdian Grand Temple Fair. Where to go during the Spring Festival? Perhaps Hengdian can offer you a wonderful interpretation.
Experience a Folk New Year Through Time Travel
Step into the scenic area, and you’ll feel as if you’ve entered a different era—an instant sense of time travel
Traveling to Hengdian, you only need to spend a day to “get on a time machine” and embark on a “time-travel journey.” The Qin Shi Huang Palace from the Qin and Han Dynasties, the Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival from the Northern Song Dynasty, the Ming & Qing Palace Scenic Area from the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and the modern-day Guangzhou Street and Hong Kong Street—all five thousand years of history converge here. Visiting Hengdian during the Spring Festival allows you to experience New Year celebrations from different times and spaces.
Hengdian Dream Valley New Year Lantern Festival
The Hengdian “Grand Temple Fair” during the Spring Festival features traditional lanterns as its main theme. Whether it’s the colorful lanterns at the Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival or the bright red lanterns at the Qin Shi Huang Palace, they all bring the festive cheer of the Spring Festival. The most astonishing sight is the millennium-old “No.1 Lantern in the World”—the Zigong lanterns. At Dream Valley Scenic Area, more than 20 large lantern groups such as “Three Yangs Usher in Prosperity,” “Prosperity, Fortune, Longevity, and Happiness,” “Golden Rams Celebrate Spring,” and “Prosperous Lotus Flowers” have been installed. The tallest of these lanterns reaches up to 25 meters, the widest spans 8 meters, and they will be lit from the first to the seventh day of the lunar New Year.
The continuation of tradition and classic culture is the main theme of this temple fair. In addition to the millennia-old Zigong lanterns, the organizers have also invited acrobatic performances from Wuqiao, known as the “No.1 Acrobatics Village in the World.” This includes the performance of the national intangible cultural heritage—“Iron Flower Pouring.” Molten iron, heated to high temperatures, is poured into specially made containers and then forcefully hurled into the air, instantly transforming into a dazzling shower of sparks. The spectacular fiery tree and flowing light scenes from “Where Are We Going, Dad? 2” will be recreated in Hengdian.
The Fifth Day of the Lunar Year: Welcoming the God of Wealth
Speaking of traditions, old Beijing cuisine is naturally indispensable. This Hengdian “Grand Temple Fair” has brought authentic old Beijing snacks directly to the south, recreating the classic foods of old Beijing. The fifth day of the lunar New Year is the day to welcome the God of Wealth, and the traditional ceremony to welcome the God of Wealth is essential. The Five Wealth Gods will start from the God of Wealth Temple in Guangzhou Street Scenic Area, circle around Hengdian Town, and visit the five major scenic areas: the Ming & Qing Palace Scenic Area, Qin Shi Huang Palace, Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival, Ming & Qing Residential Expo City, and Huaxia Cultural Park to perform the “Worship the God of Wealth” ceremony. From the rehearsal footage, it's clear that the “God of Wealth” has become the most popular star among visitors!
Experience a Blockbuster New Year Through Film and TV
Props from the movie “Dragon Blade” have been restored
When it comes to the unique appeal of the world’s largest film and television production base, nothing beats “film and television.” Hengdian is home to year-round film crews, having hosted 178 film and television productions last year alone. Although most crews head home for the holidays during the Spring Festival, seven productions—including “God of War Zhao Zilong,” “Sword and Fairy: War of the Immortals,” and “Heroes of the Turbulent Times”—are still filming in Hengdian. Come and chance upon stars like Lin Gengxin, Yoona, Godfrey Gao, Wu Qilong, William Chan, and Zhao Liying.
In addition to ongoing film shoots, on the first day of the lunar New Year, the historical action movie “Dragon Blade,” starring Jackie Chan, Hollywood actor John Cusack, Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody, and Korean idol Choi Siwon, will officially be released. This movie was filmed in the Qin Shi Huang Palace for over two months in early 2014, which served as one of its main filming locations. During the Spring Festival, Hengdian Film and Television City will restore some scenes and props from the film for visitors to experience, offering a truly unique part of the Hengdian Temple Fair.
Walk the “Diamond and Gold Avenue” for a Lucky New Year
Go to Hengdian during the Spring Festival for good fortune
This year’s Hengdian “Grand Temple Fair” has gone all out, investing millions to produce 200,000 silver coins of various sizes, which will be given free to visitors during the Spring Festival until supplies run out.
On the fifth day of the first lunar month, an 18.18-meter-long “Gold Avenue” will be laid out on the ground. Within a specially made glass walkway, the entire 18.18-meter length is paved with 144 pieces of 1000g gold bricks and 144 2-carat diamonds, with a total value of hundreds of millions of yuan, making it the “most luxurious” Diamond and Gold Avenue in history. Chinese people have the custom of seeking wealth, especially during the Spring Festival. Stepping on gold is believed to bring financial luck and gather prosperity.
In addition to gold bricks and silver coins, Dream Valley has also prepared gold and silver bars of varying weights and quantities, as well as gold apples, plus small gifts such as golden eggs, lucky bags, and red envelopes counted in the “thousands” and “tens of thousands,” all exuding extravagance and ensuring visitors to Hengdian can seek every possible bit of “good fortune.”
Where to go during the Spring Festival? Go to Hengdian for the Grand Temple Fair and experience a “time-traveling” New Year!
2015 Hengdian Spring Festival Travel Tips:
1. Hengdian Town is located in Dongyang City, Zhejiang Province. It is directly accessible via the Zhuji-Yongkang Expressway. Free parking is available at scenic spots and hotels.
2. The Spring Festival is the peak travel season. It is recommended to book discounted travel packages in advance on the official Hengdian Film and Television City website (http://www.hengdianworld.com) and plan your itinerary.
3. The “Hengdian Grand Temple Fair” event runs from the first to the seventh day of the lunar New Year.
4. Follow the official WeChat account of Hengdian Film and Television City (WeChat ID: u_hengdian) to get travel information in advance. During the Spring Festival, you can also join the “Scratch to Win Red Packets and Cash” event.