Attending temple fairs during Spring Festival is a tradition that people across China have kept up since ancient times. In Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, the eight-day 22nd Guiyuan Temple Fair has seen a boom in visitors since it opened on February 17, with an array of food and folk art stalls, as well as an entertainment program offering a variety of performances.
A lantern parade is seen during the 22nd Guiyuan Temple Fair in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province, on February 17, 2024. /IC
Guiyuan Temple Fair is the only temple gathering in the city listed as a national intangible cultural heritage, with a history of more than 300 years. Construction of the temple began in 1658. Every year during the Spring Festival period, people come to the temple to make wishes and prayers and experience folk activities.
Performers present the Gaolong dance, a kind of dragon dance popular in the Hanyang District of Wuhan, during the 22nd Guiyuan Temple Fair in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province on February 17, 2024. /IC
The Gaolong dance, a type of dragon dance popular in Wuhan's Hanyang District, was the highlight of this year's temple fair. Unlike the usual dragon dances seen in other parts of China, the head, body and tail of the dragon used in the Gaolong dance are separate. In addition, the head part of the dragon is formed into a "Z" shape, and the height of the dragon can reach to 5 meters. The Hanyang Gaolong dance has a history of more than 1,300 years.
A visitor plays Chuiwan, an ancient Chinese ball sport resembling modern-day golf, during the 22nd Guiyuan Temple Fair in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province on February 17, 2024. /IC
Other cultural activities such as sugar paintings, paper cuttings, carp lanterns and lion dances are also presented at the fair, where visitors can enjoy ancient Chinese sports such as Cuju, a soccer game, and Chuiwan, a ball game similar to modern golf.