By Jin Yuhan

On the morning of November 10, Ningbo's historic Shi Yue Zhong Festival came to life in Shenzhen Town, Ninghai County, marking over three centuries of tradition in this annual celebration held in the middle of the tenth lunar month.

The festivities began with a parade led by musicians playing folk instruments, winding through the streets of the town. A spectacular "Nine Dragons Dance" performance set an energetic tone, officially kicking off the 14th Shi Yue Zhong Festival and Ninghai Forest Hot Springs Festival.

The Shi Yue Zhong temple fair in Shenzhen, recognized as an intangible cultural heritage event in Ningbo, draws vendors, performers, and tourists every year around the 15th day of the tenth lunar month. This year's fair offered an array of local specialties, especially foods from Shenzhen's various villages, including wonton soup, roasted duck, and Wanghai tea, providing visitors a taste of authentic rural flavors.

Throughout the festival, visitors enjoyed a rich lineup of activities, including traditional opera performances, a captivating light show, an art photography exhibit, and a village singing competition, among other attractions.

"Shenzhen, as a nationally recognized town known for its pristine ecological environment and as a center of trekking pole manufacturing, will continue to elevate the Shi Yue Zhong Festival as a celebration of our scenic landscapes, rich traditions, hot springs, and vibrant communities," said Hu Renjie, Party Secretary of Shenzhen Town.

"Our goal is to enhance Ninghai's reputation as a destination with a welcoming environment and rich cultural heritage, using cultural revitalization to fuel the broader revitalization of rural life," he added.