On February 7, the 36th Huairou District Mass Art Festival under the theme "Blessings Over the Capital, Spring Greetings to the Nation"（“福满京城 春贺神州”） kicked off grandly at the Service Area Plaza of Mutianyu Great Wall Scenic Area.
With the majestic Mutianyu Great Wall as its stage, the festival takes folk customs as the medium, art as the soul and the Year of the Horse as the rhythm. It deeply integrates Great Wall culture, local folk traditions and Spring Festival vibes, serving as a cultural feast for citizens and tourists, as well as a vivid practice of Huairou's in-depth integration of agriculture, culture, tourism, commerce, sports and technology.
At the foot of the Great Wall, the plaza was bustling with visitors. The JD "Come to Huairou for the Spring Festival" Spring Festival Goods Fair opened lively for two days. With nearly 20 distinctive booths, it offers chestnut pastries and other local delicacies, interactive experiences such as plant tie-dye, and Huairou-themed cultural and creative products, creating a strong festive atmosphere for all visitors.
The fair was full of interactive activities:
Cultural volunteers wrote exquisite Fu (blessing) characters and Spring Festival couplets on site to send New Year wishes to everyone; traditional games including check-in lucky draws, touhu (ancient arrow-throwing game) and flip-card games delighted adults and children alike, with cheers echoing at the foot of the wall; the online live stream "Host Takes You to the Opening" brought an immersive, guided and interactive experience by showcasing the fair and performances from a first-person view.
The opening ceremony featured a spectacular cultural show, including dances, drum formations and lion dances, highlighting the charm of traditional festivals. Selected classic Peking Opera excerpts let the audience appreciate the allure of traditional opera.
Instrumental performances with sanxian (three-stringed Chinese lute), morin khuur (horse-head fiddle), Tuva drum and other intangible cultural heritage (ICH) musical instruments, combined with dance, became the highlight of the event, presenting the profound heritage of traditional Chinese music.
The festive excitement will continue at Mutianyu Great Wall from February 18 to 23!
The scenic plaza, pedestrian street and other popular spots for international tourists will become the main stages for folk performances. Towns and villages will take turns presenting shows including big drum performances, dragon & lion dances, Erkui Wrestling, ICH folk cart performances and ICH craft displays. Meanwhile, vibrant markets of internet-famous snacks and time-honored brands are also open, waiting for your visit.
Right now, Mutianyu boasts clear skies and fresh air. Magnificent winter scenery stretches across the Great Wall, and the festive vibe of the Spring Festival is growing stronger by the day.
We sincerely invite you to this Spring Festival Ice & Snow Carnival—explore the art festival, marvel at the breathtaking ice and snow views, climb this timeless treasure of human civilization, and bring home unique intangible cultural heritage creative souvenirs. This one-of-a-kind, Great Wall‑exclusive festive experience awaits you. Let's welcome the Spring Festival together with the world.
