Chongqing - The first procession of the 2023 Fengdu Temple Fair, themed on the legend “Marriage of the Netherworld King,” took place along the packed Ghost City river road on April 22. Thousands of local residents and visitors crowded on either flank of the street to cheer on the 16 individually choreographed procession teams and to capture the moment on camera amid a festive atmosphere.
Once the festivities were declared open at the grand opening ceremony by Ran Huazhang, director of the Chongqing Municipal Culture and Tourism Development Committee, attended by diplomatic representatives from Uruguay, Mexico, Belarus, and Singapore, the audience and public were treated to an exciting lineup of spectacular light shows, drone performances, ‘Kongming’ sky lanterns, and a fireworks display.
Li Zhen, the choreographer for the Temple Fair procession this year, described how in addition to this nationally recognized item of intangible cultural heritage, there are many supporting events organized to add extra glamour to the festival city-wide, such as the international circus tent with fun and interactive performances to entice members of the public both young and old.
Excited crowds packed the streets lining the temple fair procession in Fengdu on April 22, 2023, and will take place on certain days until May 2. (Photo/James Alexander)
In addition, the open-air Magic Electric Music Carnival Night opened on the evening of April 22, with pulsating tracks from a host DJ and a live rock band performance on stage. This, combined with an imposing backdrop formed by a three-dimensional LED screen 36 meters high, which gave revelers an audio-visual feast amid the party atmosphere.
Ghostly Legends of Fengdu
When looking into the origins behind the ghostly traditions of Fengdu, legend has it there were two officials from the Eastern Han Dynasty named Yin Changsheng and Wang Fangping, who came to Ming Mountain to practice Taoism in a quest for immortality. The combination of their family names, Yin and Wang, literally means “King of Hell” in Chinese, and the ancient “Ghost City” temple complex upon the mountain has long been popular among tourists based on this heritage.
The monumental stage set up for the Magic Electric Music Carnival Night gives revelers an audio-visual feast thanks to pulsating music and spectacular light effects. (Photograph provided courtesy of event organizer)
The Fengdu Temple Fair traces its history back as early as 323 BC and was initially based on the traditional Chinese legend “Marriage of the Netherworld King.” The event has existed for over a millennium and has become an influential folk custom famed nationwide and among the Chinese diaspora. In 2014, the State Council officially recognized the Fengdu Temple Fair as an intangible national cultural heritage item.
Times and dates for Temple Fair
Citizens wishing to experience this first unique temple fair procession, which follows a three-year pandemic-related hiatus, can still attend the live event outside the Mingshan Scenic Spot between 4-5 pm from April 29 to May 2. Meanwhile, the electric music festival is being held from 7-10:30 pm each night between April 22-29 and May 1-2.