Before we know it, the end of the year is here, and the much-anticipated but somewhat lackluster “New Year” is about to arrive again. For city dwellers, celebrating the New Year has gradually become a bit confusing. But don’t worry—this Spring Festival, Qiandao Lake offers a rich array of folk activities and plenty of surprises. Go ahead and treat yourself to Qiandao Lake’s festive feast this year.
Unrestrained Folk Celebrations
Pig Head Race Ancestor Worship. This folk tradition has quite a long history. According to historical records, the founding ancestor of Zhujia Village in Jinfeng Township, Chun’an County, was Zhu Dan, the fourth-generation grandson of Zhu Xi. His descendants have preserved the over 800-year-old pig head ancestor worship ceremony to this day. On the sixth day of the first lunar month every year, all members of each household in Zhujia Village gather at the ancestral hall, placing elaborately decorated pig heads in front of portraits of the Zhu ancestors and bowing in worship. The most respected elder in the village weighs and evaluates the pig heads, rewarding the household with the largest one and encouraging everyone in the village to work harder in the new year in anticipation of a bountiful harvest.
Bamboo Horse Welcoming the New Year. On the first day of the first lunar month, locals in Qinchuan wake up early and open their doors to welcome the bamboo horse parade. Colorful bamboo horses dance lively amid white-washed walls and black-tiled roofs, praying for blessings and good fortune for villagers and tourists alike, ensuring everyone a smooth and prosperous new year. Meanwhile, the enticing aroma of sesame candy wafts through the narrow alleyways, making mouths water.
Worship of the Nine Lords. On the first day of the Lunar New Year each year, Zhaxi Village in Zhongzhou Town holds a grand worship ceremony for the “Nine Lords,” accompanied by the sounds of drums, gongs, and firecrackers. The Nine Lords refer to Wang Xian, the ninth son of Wang Hua, the “Yue Kingdom Duke” from the Tang Dynasty, who displayed exceptional talent even in his youth. After his passing, the talent-appreciating Emperor Taizong of Tang was deeply saddened and sought agarwood from across the land, commissioning artisans to craft a statue of Wang Xian, which was enshrined in the palace. During the Southern Song Dynasty, Wu Siyi, the son-in-law from Zhongzhou, and the princess returned home for a visit and left the “Nine Lords” statue here. Today, the annual worship ceremony attracts over 30,000 visitors from Zhejiang, Anhui, and Jiangxi provinces to pray for blessings at the Nine Lords Temple.
These are some of the more representative folk activities in Chun’an, but there are actually many other interesting folk traditions that remain well-preserved in rural areas. For example, the Luo Shen Bamboo Dance performed in Wangchuan Village, Weiping Town, is a “folk square dance” that has been passed down for over 300 years. In Yejia Village, also in Weiping Town, there is the Elder Dragon Lantern Performance, which only elders aged 60 and above can participate in—everyone else can only watch. The Hecun Bench Dragon is a “big name” that has even appeared on China Central Television, known for its massive scale and spectacular visuals. Other events like the “Torch Grab the County Magistrate” and the “Fangxianweng Temple Fair” are also filled with historical and cultural charm.
Free Entry to Scenic Areas
In addition to the rich festive activities, Qiandao Lake has also launched a series of promotional deals. Traveling to Qiandao Lake during this Spring Festival is incredibly cost-effective. From the 28th day of the 12th lunar month to the 2nd day of the first lunar month, all scenic spots in Qiandao Lake are free of charge for all visitors. From the 3rd day to the 15th day of the first lunar month, visitors can enjoy a 50% discount on entrance tickets to the Southeast Lake area of Qiandao Lake. Even better, besides ticket discounts, cable car rides also come with great savings: from the 28th day of the 12th lunar month to the 1st day of the first lunar month, children under 1.5 meters tall can ride the cable car for free when visiting Qiandao Lake. From the 2nd day to the 7th day of the first lunar month, children between 1.2 and 1.5 meters tall can enjoy a round-trip fare of just 15 RMB per person.
Free Parking
Qiandao Lake goes all out during the holidays—in the days from New Year’s Eve to the 3rd day of the first lunar month, all public parking spaces in Qiandao Lake Town are completely free. Even the urban management officers are feeling festive this Year of the Sheep. (Text by Zhang Jing & Pan Kaisen)