In the sunny spring month of March, all things come back to life. The national 5A-level scenic spot Panshan is covered in blooming flowers, with cascading waterfalls and flowing springs, presenting a vibrant scene. Recently, it was announced by the Panshan scenic area that the traditional folk culture event — the 11th Panshan Temple Fair and 4th Panshan Spring Outing Festival — will be held from April 3 to 6 at the Panshan Scenic Area. During this time, while enjoying the spring outing, flowers, and water views, visitors can also experience a rich array of folk cultural performances including Buddhist rituals, opera singing, acrobatics, and model operas.
The national 5A-level Panshan Scenic Area boasts beautiful scenery and profound cultural heritage, making it a famous tourist destination in North China and the renowned “First Mountain East of the Beijing-Tianjin Region.” Historically, Panshan was home to 72 temples, 13 exquisite pagodas, and one imperial garden, and as early as the Tang Dynasty, it was known as the “Eastern Wutai Mountain” in Buddhist circles. The “Panshan Temple Fair” has been held annually during the lunar March, taking various forms such as the Ullambana Festival and Buddhist ceremonies. In those times, people from surrounding areas would trek tens of miles either to hike and enjoy spring in the mountains or to offer incense and make wishes, creating a very lively atmosphere. To inherit and promote the traditional history and culture of Panshan, Jizhou County resumed the “Panshan Temple Fair” in 1997, and to date, ten successful editions have been held, winning widespread popularity among visitors.
Since ancient times, Panshan has been celebrated for its “superb pines on the upper section, magnificent rocks on the middle section, and beautiful waters on the lower section,” with its water scenery captivating all who visit. This year, the scenic area has invested several million yuan to renovate and upgrade its water features. The nearly 500-square-meter Lotus Lake between the Wo Yun Tower and the Theater Building is crystal clear, the Fei Bo Gully of Tian Cheng Temple cascades down dramatically, and the Shu Xia landscape by the Da Shi Bridge features flowing waterfalls and springs, recreating the majestic scene of the past where “waterfalls and springs pour down from the peaks, resembling ribbons of white silk fluttering.”