On the 24th day of the sixth month of the traditional Chinese calendar, Dongshan Town near Taihu Lake in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, celebrates its annual Lotus Festival.

In front of the Fengshan Temple, traditional performances such as dragon dances, folk singing, and especially the Tai Mengjiang – which literally means "Lift A Valiant General" – fill the air with the sound of drums and excited chatter. Villagers gather to visit the temple, admire blooming lotus flowers, and burn incense as a blessing.

Legend has it that Dongshan's valiant general, originally surnamed Liu, was deified for his heroic efforts in controlling locust plagues. Over time, he became a symbol of protection for rice farmers in the Taihu Lake region, guarding against pests and ensuring bountiful harvests.

"Tai Mengjiang" is a representative local intangible cultural heritage. Villagers carry large flags and beat drums as they parade from house to house with the statue of the mighty general, bestowing blessings of "harvest" and "prosperity" to each home.

This cherished tradition has been celebrated in Dongshan for decades, embodying the villagers' hopes for the valiant general to drive away pests and bless them with a prosperous year of good weather and peace as the lotus flowers come into full bloom.