Chongqing — A millennia-old folk tradition is bringing communities together in Zhongshan Ancient Town, Jiangjin District, southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality, where residents and visitors gather for the "1,000-Meter Long Banquet" as part of Spring Festival celebrations.

The banquet stretches along the town’s thousand-meter bluestone old street, turning the historic area into a shared dining space. After an opening ritual, dishes prepared by local families and restaurants are arranged along the street, and people from different regions sit together to welcome the Spring Festival.

The event reflects the holiday's core values of reunion and hospitality. Strangers share food, exchange greetings, and celebrate side by side, creating a strong sense of community across generations.

The “1,000-Meter Long Banquet” is a traditional folk custom of Zhongshan Ancient Town with roots in the Song Dynasty (960–1279), when the town was a riverside trading hub. During major festivals, residents provided food and lodging to travelers and merchants who could not return home. Over time, this practice evolved into the banquet that continues to this day.

A signature feature of the event is “dapen,” a dish-passing technique in which servers carry wooden trays on their heads as they move through the crowd. The method allows large numbers of diners to be served efficiently and has become one of the most recognizable elements of the celebration.

Today, the banquet is also an important cultural tourism activity for Chongqing. It supports local restaurants and workshops, encourages cultural consumption, and helps the ancient town grow while preserving its heritage.

More than a festival meal, the "1,000-Meter Long Banquet" stands as a living symbol of continuity, generosity, and shared celebration at the heart of the Spring Festival.