Diverse events across China draw holiday crowds

During China’s ongoing National Day holiday, a wide range of events unfolded across the country, drawing visitors to enjoy cuisine, scenery and diverse culture.

The National Day holiday, also known as “Golden Week” in China, runs from Oct 1 to 7, sparking a major travel rush as people across the country take the chance to enjoy a short getaway.

In Zhenjiang City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, a riverside scenic belt in Jingkou District launched an immersive cultural tourism event, offering tourists aromatic coffee and splendid folk and pop acoustic performances.

As night fell, a children’s flash mob performed the patriotic song “Ode to the Motherland” to wish the country a more prosperous future, while an aerial display lit up the sky, with technological lighting and the riverside night scene complementing each other.

By Qinhu Lake in Jiangsu’s Changshu City, museums and cultural institutions from across the country gathered for exhibitions and intangible cultural heritage handicraft experiences. Northern and southern cultural traditions met and interacted at a cultural fair, bringing distinct regional historical memories to life.

In Xinglong County, Chengde City, north China’s Hebei Province, the holiday coincided with the peak autumn harvest season. Experiences such as picking hawthorn berries, gathering chestnuts and picking apples attracted many tourists to feel the joy of the harvest.

In the Chaoguan scenic area in Linqing City, east China’s Shandong Province, visitors sampled farm dishes and famous local banquet specialties. The authentic rural flavors drew local residents and tourists from across the country.

“Our trip to Linqing is full of rich experiences. We also look forward to coming back again,” said Zhang, a tourist.

At night, Linqing’s Dongwan Garden was lit by thousands of lanterns. Intangible cultural heritage “iron flowers,” a folk art performance of throwing molten iron to create fireworks, was staged, drawing cheers from the crowd.

In Huangmei County, Huanggang City, central China’s Hubei Province, a scenic area by the Yangtze River launched a series of splendid performances, allowing tourists to experience the unique charm of Huangmei Opera, a national-level form of intangible cultural heritage.

Many tourists tried making lacquer fans, immersing themselves in traditional lacquer art. Along the riverbank, lights shone brightly as molten-iron fireworks burst into the air, accompanied by a fireworks show.

“The most stunning part was the fireworks show. Combined with the iron flower performance, it was especially breathtaking,” said Li Xiaojing, another tourist.

The spirit of the Long March has been passed down to young generations over the past 90 years, inspiring people to keep their faith, brave setback and put the people first. 

The Long March was carried out by the Red Army, which was led by the Communist Party of China (CPC), and mainly made up of soldiers from peasants’ and workers’ families during the Chinese revolution. 

Ninety-two years ago, the Red Army crossed the mountains and rivers of southwest China’s Guizhou Province in search of a way forward. 

Between 1934 and 1936, the army trekked up to 12,500 kilometers to break through the Kuomintang Party siege, a journey later known as the Long March.

The year 2026 marks the 90th anniversary of the Long March victory. 

Today, a young generation has grown up, carrying forward the spirit of the Long March.

Dong embroidery heritage bearer Lu Yongjiang has undergone five corrective hand surgeries but continues to preserve the traditional craft. 

“This was made by my mother, and I’ve kept it ever since. I think this craft is truly beautiful. I wanted to make it my lifelong career. I’ve had five corrective surgeries on my hand. When I was learning embroidery, everyone had already written me off. They thought I would never be able to learn it. I couldn’t pull the thread with this hand, so I used my teeth to hold it. Then I used my other hand to help pull it through. As long as I can still stand, I won’t give up on this craft,” Lu said. 

“A single embroidery needle may be small, but thousands of needles can stitch a magnificent landscape. When I think about the work I’m doing today, I’m not afraid. I may have a disability, but compared with the hardships the Red Army soldiers went through, I feel very fortunate today,” she continued. 

Dong-language guide Lu Xianying tells the history of the Long March through Dong songs. 

“In Dong communities, many older people don’t understand Mandarin. So when I explain this history, I have created several Dong songs based on the history of the Long March. We should approach the history of the Long March with respect. When we tell its story, we have to base it on facts and not distort or alter it. What I most want to do is to bring red culture and Dong culture together, so that both can be passed on,” said Lu Xianying, a Dong-language guide of Liping Meeting Memorial Hall. 

Zhou Wei, a guide at the Houchang Meeting Memorial Hall, puts it another way.

“I left teaching to become a guide telling the history of the Long March. After learning about this history, I was deeply moved and inspired by the journey of the Red Army. The Red Army soldiers ate tree bark and grass roots back then, so that future generations would never have to do the same. Every generation has its own Long March, and every generation has its own path to walk,” said Zhou Wei, deputy director of Houchang Meeting Memorial Hall. 

Other young people are working at the grassroots and dealing with challenges of their own. Ninety years later, the mountains and rivers remain, but every generation has its own path to walk. 

“More than 90 years ago, when the Red Army crossed the Wujiang River, the current was extremely fast. At the time, the Red Army crossed the river at night to avoid enemy pursuit. They used what was known as the ‘Red Army water horse,’ which was a type of bamboo raft used to cross the river. This story is known as the ‘Red Army water horse’. We tell this story to everyone who comes here to learn about the history,” said Wang Yinyin, an official of Jiangjiehe Town Government.

“It was really a matter of chance that I joined the Western China Volunteer Program and was assigned to Jiangjiehe, a village known for the Red Army’s crossing of the Wujiang River. I mainly work on rural revitalization, shooting videos and editing social media posts to share stories from Jiangjiehe,” said Yu Yaojia, a volunteer of the 2026 Western China Volunteer Program. 

“I think the biggest mountain I have to cross is gaining experience at the grassroots level, then using it to better serve people on a bigger platform,” said Tian Yintan, an official of Jiangjiehe Town Government.