Zhaoge Launches Spring Festival Fair With 3,000-Year Cultural Theme

KUALA LUMPUR, June 29 (Bernama) -- The millennia-old city of Zhaoge in Qi County has kicked off the nearly month-long "Encounter Qi, Dreamy Zhaoge" Spring Festival Fair, welcoming residents and tourists to embark on a 3,000-year cultural journey.

According to a statement, Zhaoge Old Street in Qi County, Central China’s Henan Province, was illuminated with festive lights and teemed with visitors celebrating the Spring Festival.

Zhaoge, which served as the capital for the last four kings of the Shang Dynasty and later as the capital of the Wei State during the Western Zhou period, stands among Henan Province’s first designated historical and cultural cities and is regarded as the cradle of Chinese surname culture.

The highlight of the fair is "Zhaoge: The Enchanted Dance of the Fengshen", a processional immersive performance staged against the backdrop of the city’s historical heritage, recreating events from 3,000 years ago.

The ancient thoroughfare comes alive with pop-up performances and NPC character parades, while speciality markets and local delicacies engage visitors. Tourists can also admire murals depicting characters from Investiture of the Gods (Fengshen Yanyi), decode decorative lanterns, and purchase Fengshen-themed cultural products.

Ranked among Henan’s first designated historical and cultural blocks, Zhaoge Old Street is also recognised as a leisure tourism district and nighttime cultural tourism consumption cluster, and has become a popular nighttime destination for both locals and visitors.

-- BERNAMA