China News Service, Hangzhou, March 24th (Wang Titi) "The birthday of hundreds of flowers is a good day, and it is not half spring before the Flower Festival." On March 24, the 2024 Hangzhou Xixi Flower Festival kicked off at Hangzhou Xixi Wetland Park and will last for Until May 12th.
"Twelve Flower Goddess" water cruise. Photo courtesy of Xixi Wetland
At the opening scene, nearly two hundred Hanfu enthusiasts dressed up to participate. In addition, Chinese style blogger Chen Joy joins hands with well-known experts in the Chinese style circle such as Sunflower, Ah Shi, A Yanzhi, etc. to appear as the "Twelve Flower Gods", allowing tourists to experience the Chinese flower dynasty culture up close.
It is reported that the Flower Festival is commonly known as "Flower Festival", "Hundred Flowers Birthday" and "Flower Birthday". Before the Song Dynasty, the Flower Festival was mostly a gathering of elegant people and elegant banquets to add to the splendor of the spring scenery of peaches and plums, which was not popular among the people. Since the Northern Song Dynasty, the activities have added new contents such as planting flowers, planting trees, picking vegetables, and worshiping gods, etc., and gradually expanded to all walks of life, and developed into every family worshiping the flower god. Women in the boudoir cut five-color paper and tied it with a red rope. Activities such as "appreciating red flowers" on flower branches, and going to the flower temple to burn incense and pray for blessings for lush flowers and trees.
It is reported that since the Flower Dynasty Festival was resumed in 2011, every year at this time, Xixi Wetland will hold a series of Flower Dynasty themed activities such as Flower Dynasty parades, Flower Dynasty Hanfu travel photography, Flower Dynasty food, and Flower Dynasty markets.
Tourists stop and watch at the starting point of the "Twelve Flower Gods" water cruise. Photo by Wang Titi
On the same day, accompanied by wonderful music, the "Twelve Flower Gods" rode a helium balloon to enjoy the wind and "Goddess scattered flowers". Colorful petals drifted in the wind, symbolizing the beautiful wishes of a hundred flowers blooming and spring filling the world. Later, the "Twelve Flower Gods" boarded the Song Yun Flower Boat and slowly cruised along the winding river of Xixi Wetland. The beautiful and romantic pictures presented a visual feast to tourists.
After the Song Yun Flower Boat arrived at the Shentankou Ancient Stage, the highlight of the Flower Festival began.
At the Shentankou Ancient Stage, a Flower Festival event with the theme of "Gifts to the God of Flowers" showed visitors the traditional customs and culture of the Flower Festival through ceremonies such as "The God of Flowers Welcomes Spring". The energetic Chinese-style dance performed by the team of "Tonight Together with Xixi" brings tourists a unique experience that has both traditional charm and modern fashion.
Different from previous years, Gao Lili, director of the brand promotion department of Hangzhou Xixi Wetland Operation Management Co., Ltd., revealed that this year's six flower boats are Song Yun paddle boats carefully built by Chinese style blogger Chen Yue. During the event, visitors can choose the "Song Dynasty Flower Dynasty" rowing package, experience the same flower boat as the "Twelve Flower Gods", and immerse themselves in the cultural charm of the Flower Dynasty.
Tourists watch ceremonies related to the Flower Festival at the ancient stage at Shentankou in Xixi. Photo by Wang Titi
At the same time, Gao Lili also said frankly, "We hope that through such traditional activities and the spread of Hanfu experts and Chinese style bloggers, more young people will pay attention to traditional culture and fall in love with traditional culture."
Xiao Qi, a Hanfu enthusiast who came to participate in the Flower Festival early that morning, said that it was his first time to participate in the Xixi Flower Festival. Knowing that many Hanfu enthusiasts would gather in Xixi, he specially wore a Ming Feiyu suit and paired it with a Han sword.
He said, "Participating in activities dressed up like this will make you more immersive, and I hope this can attract more people to understand traditional culture." At the same time, he also praised the event, "When the 12th When I came over the river by boat, I felt quite shocked. It has that ancient feeling, and young people must like it."
In order to provide tourists with a more diversified traditional cultural experience, during the Flower Festival, in addition to entering the park to enjoy the flowers, tourists can also take photos of the beautiful displays on the green embankment, see the comic exhibition in the Sanshen Assembly Hall, Visit the cultural and creative market in Jiangcun Slow Life Street and the Flower Market in Hezhu Street, experience the "Song Yun Flower Court" package on the oar boat, etc. You can also meet the spring spokesperson "flower seller" every weekend and holiday afternoon Interact, follow the parade of the beautiful Goddess of Flowers, participate in the Xixi Water Village wedding interactive performance, and unlock the romance limited to spring. (over)