30-Day Folk Carnival: Shenzhen’s Guanlan Ancient Market Revitalizes a Century-Old Hub with Fresh Energy

On May 30, the 3rd Guanlan Ancient Market Cultural Theme Event kicked off, co-hosted by the Longhua District Key Areas Construction Promotion Center, the District Party Committee Propaganda Department, the District Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau, and Guanlan Sub-district. Centered on the theme of "Folk Rebirth", the event blends technology, creativity, and immersive experiences, offering a cultural feast that seamlessly blends tradition and modernity, along with a festive Dragon Boat Festival celebration.

At the opening ceremony, the Songyuanxia Kirin Dance Team and intelligent mechanical lion dancers performed together on stage. Accompanied by the rhythm of energetic drum music, they showcased the new charm of traditional culture empowered by technology, drawing applause from the audience and sparking a flurry of mobile phone activity.

Event Highlights

This year’s event officially launched four signature cultural projects, injecting continuous vitality into the ancient market and ensuring that its thousand-year cultural heritage thrives through innovation. The century-old watchtower has been transformed into the Yingge Dance Training Hall and Kirin Culture Museum. Guihutang Old Enclosure has been repurposed into a Hakka Courtyard cultural tourism project. New ventures such as the martial arts interactive light comedy Laughing Wulin have upgraded traditional spaces within the market. The Digital Experience Hall from Anyuan County, Jiangxi, has also settled in the ancient market, using VR technology to offer a panoramic view of southern Jiangxi’s landscapes and Hakka customs, further deepening regional cooperation.

In an effort to preserve century-old memories, descendants of the Yin family donated the century-old plaque of “Caihua Xuan,” which embodies the 140-year-old Su Biao lantern craftsmanship, helping preserve the legacy of the historic market’s cultural heritage. Additionally, the "Guanlan Holiday Direct Bus" was officially launched, connecting cultural and tourism resources across the area to offer convenient travel options.

Huang Limin, Member of the Standing Committee of the Longhua District Party Committee and Director of the Propaganda Department, stated at the opening: “This event is rooted in the new mission of cultural confidence and self-improvement. With folk customs as the core theme, it aligns with the strategic goals of the Municipal Party Committee and Government to position Shenzhen as a world-class tourism and leisure destination. We have especially launched innovative projects like the 'Folk Custom Integration Show', which blends 'folk customs + intangible cultural heritage + technology', creating a vibrant 30-day cultural field and ensuring the century-old ancient market shines brightly in the new era.”

During the event, citizens can join the Kirin Dance parading through the ancient alleys, encountering flash mobs set to folk music along the way. Visitors can trigger “time-travel blind boxes” in the recreated arcade streets, immersing themselves in the folk custom integration show. They can also experience Yingge makeup, learn Chinese martial dance, and explore the charm of intangible cultural heritage. Families can take part in parent-child photo ops with folk-themed installations, collecting stamps to exchange for town cultural products.

From the vibrant life under the ancient market’s eaves to the innovative presentation of the folk custom integration show, Guanlan Ancient Market—a cultural landmark etched with history—is inviting citizens to embark on a time-travel journey that beautifully blends tradition with modernity.

(Text/Photos: Longhua Key Areas Construction Promotion Center)