Hangzhou Tonglu: 'She Township near the West Lake' Shines with Unique Charm on the Double Third Festival

On April 11, the 15th "Double Third Festival" She Ethnic Culture Festival was held in Eshan She Ethnic Township, Tonglu County, Hangzhou City. During the festival, local She people showcased their unique culture through traditional dances, cloth dragon performances, and the grand "High Mountain and Flowing Water" Outdoor Feast that can accommodate up to a thousand guests.

Event Scene

The She Ethnic Style Model Area in Hongjie (Red Street), Eshan She Ethnic Township, offers visitors an immersive experience of the She ethnic village. Zhong Xingxiu, an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage, caught the attention of many photographers. With her skilled hands, she intricately weaves the fields, sun, moon, and mountains into She ethnic ribbons. "These ribbons are traditional ornaments of the She ethnic group and serve as a 'living fossil' of our culture," Zhong said with a smile. "For the She people, they also symbolize a traditional token of affection."

What would the "Double Third Festival" be without a captivating dragon dance? Crafting dragon lanterns is a time-honored tradition of Zhongmen Ethnic Village in Eshan She Ethnic Township, dating back over 600 years. During festive occasions, skilled artisans in the village create festive lanterns and perform dragon dances to bring good fortune for the coming year. As colorful flags flutter, the Zhongmen cloth dragon performance instantly ignites the festive atmosphere. The enormous dragon soars into the sky, twisting and rolling in the hands of the dragon dancers, eliciting applause and cheers from the delighted spectators.

Event Scene

As night falls, the hospitable She villagers warmly welcome guests to the "High Mountain and Flowing Water" Outdoor Feast. The standout dish on the table is the "Stir-Fried Sweet Potato Vermicelli with Chicken Broth," one of ten renowned delicacies in She households. Each strand of tender sweet potato vermicelli soaked in flavorful broth, leaving a delightful and lingering taste on the palate.

After dinner, as a bonfire is lit, She villagers and guests gather around, singing and dancing together, reveling in the joyful festive atmosphere. (Text/Photo by Zheng Jingwen, Huangfu Dihua)

Event Scene