Chongqing - When you think of Fengdu, what comes to mind? Spicy chicken? The Ghost City? Or Nantian Lake? Recently, people have been gathering here for the Fengdu Temple Fair, a national intangible cultural heritage representative project. 

On the evening of March 29th, the 2025 Fengdu Temple Fair commenced with ceremonial drumbeats, launching a 9-day cultural celebration.

Ritual Blessing Ceremony at the Fengdu Temple Fair. (Photo/Lin Dengzhou)

Renowned for its unique "Celestial-Infernal" culture, the Fengdu Temple Fair tradition traces back 1,700 years to commemorate the wedding anniversary of the Yin Tianzi (Nether Emperor) and his consort Lu Ying. The modern celebration began in 1988, blending traditional elements with commercial activities, ultimately earning national intangible cultural heritage status in 2014.

Nighttime Parade at the Fengdu Temple Fair. (Photo/Zhou Yong)

This year's fair continues the theme "Experience Fengdu Temple Fair, Forge Eternal Bonds," featuring 18 specially curated events. The centerpiece remains the "Yin Tianzi's Wedding Procession" nighttime parade, enhanced by cutting-edge technologies including light projections, aerial performances, and digital sky lanterns to create immersive street theater.

Yin Tianzi (the Nether Emperor) and His Consort Lu Ying at the Fengdu Temple Fair. (Photo/Wang Ping)

This "Love Story in the Ghost City" evokes global audiences' memories of the Oscar-winning film Coco, inspired by Mexico's Day of the Dead. A delegation from Guanajuato, the film's cultural inspiration, participated in this year's festivities. Daniel Gutierrez Meave, Director of the Tourism Bureau of Guanajuato City, Mexico, shared with us that they cherish this cultural dialogue. The vibrant temple fair experience reignites mutual cultural admiration. Moving forward, they'll implement direct tourism partnerships to craft unique travel experiences that strengthen cultural identities. As their proverb says: A nation rooted in its culture is invincible. Fengdu and Guanajuato share dynamic cultural essences that will undoubtedly forge new opportunities in cultural tourism.

Since establishing sister-city partnerships in 2021, Fengdu and Guanajuato have deepened cooperation across multiple domains. This year's fair also welcomed delegations from France, Panama, and other nations, establishing new international cultural and economic exchange platforms.

Saúl Navarro Smith, Cultural Delegation Head from Guanajuato City, Mexico, stated that “Culture first, industry follows" seeks to strengthen the relations through cultural exchanges, laying a solid foundation for broader and sustainable collaboration. Since Fengdu and Guanajuato became sister cities in 2021, this cultural focus has forged genuine connections, opening doors to economic, industrial, and academic exchanges. This model can be extended to other Mexican cities to expand cooperation opportunities with China and strengthen bilateral relations. By taking culture as the starting point, Fengdu and Guanajuato not only enrich the communities but also lay the groundwork for long-term multidimensional cooperation in the future.

Nighttime Parade at the Fengdu Temple Fair. (Photo/Zhou Yong)

During the 2025 Fengdu Temple Fair, in addition to the night parade, there will be cultural and tourism experiences such as nighttime tours of Fengdu City. This project combines ancient rituals and myths with machinery, light and shadow, and interactive performances to create a script-based immersive experience, staging a true Eastern version of Coco.

To enhance visitor experiences, Fengdu announces special offers through April 30th: Free admission to Nantian Lake Scenic Area with 50% off rail carts and 70% hotel discounts at Minghu Resort. Visitors to Mount Ming can enjoy free access to the Xiaoguanshan Scenic Area, which has half-price tickets for Xueyu Cave and Jiuchongtian sites. The upgraded "Fengdu Banquet" and "360 Chongqing Delicacies" food festival, complemented by digital gourmet maps, promise culinary adventures.