Global Teochew Community Reunites at Chaozhou's Qinglong Temple Fair: “It's Great to Be Home!”

On March 12, 2026, the annual Qinglong (Green Dragon) Temple Fair Intangible Cultural Heritage Parade took place in the ancient city of Chaozhou, Guangdong Province. Amid this grand cultural celebration, a special contingent stood out: a formation of 986 representatives from Teochew associations worldwide. Holding banners of their respective organizations, they paraded through the streets, carrying nostalgia for their ancestral roots and renewing their bonds with their homeland through immersive cultural experiences.

Scene from the 2026 Chaozhou Qinglong Temple Fair Intangible Cultural Heritage Parade

During the parade, flags from 134 Teochew chambers of commerce and fellowships from around the globe fluttered in the wind. Representatives beamed with joy, chanting blessings in unison and taking in the transformations of their hometown and the richness of its culture.

"I came back from Thailand, and this time I feel a strong sense of nostalgia for my native land," said a guest from the Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce. He was deeply impressed by the intangible cultural heritage performances, including the Yingge dance, grand drum ensembles, and the Buma (cloth horse) dance. "The streets are filled with our dialect, which feels so familiar and touching. The festive atmosphere is back as soon as I return!"

Xue Renzhou, vice president of the Zhanjiang Teochew Association and the Zhanjiang Chaozhou Chamber of Commerce, praised the displays: "The grand drumming, carp dance, Yingge dance, and iron-rod puppetry were performed wonderfully. They truly capture the essence of Chaozhou's intangible cultural heritage. The event is a great success!"

Chen Haibin, secretary general of the Dongguan Chaozhou Chamber of Commerce, has attended the Qinglong Temple Fair parade for four consecutive years but remains as excited as ever. "The temple fair is truly a grand gathering of intangible cultural heritage. As a native of Chaozhou, I feel immensely proud."

Recognized as a provincial intangible cultural heritage item, the Qinglong Temple Fair has become a spiritual bond connecting Teochew people at home and abroad. Ling Kar Kwong, honorary president of the Teochew Federation Malaysia, expressed his hopes: "I wish for this event to continue every year, passing down our culture through the generations."

Zhang Xuebin, chairman of the Singapore Teochew Association, also noted the involvement of young people: "Seeing so many young people engaged in cultural activities shows that our heritage has a future, passed down from generation to generation."

The international appeal of the fair was highlighted by the presence of Obonna from Nigeria, who accompanied his Chaozhou-born wife Mai Xuepiao and their three children to experience the cross-cultural charm. Their daughter Maria said excitedly, "It's so much fun! The atmosphere is great, and the festive spirit is really strong." Obonna added, "This is my first time at such an event. I'm really happy, and I'll definitely come back next year. The culture here is splendid and so different from what we have in my country."

Scene from the 2026 Chaozhou Qinglong Temple Fair Intangible Cultural Heritage Parade

Many representatives also spoke of the remarkable changes in their hometown. Chen Haibin noted, "From last year's International Teochew Convention to this year's Qinglong Temple Fair, leaders of associations from home and abroad have all witnessed the transformation of Chaozhou—not only in cultural tourism but also in investment planning and the business environment. Our chamber's president is even exploring projects here, hoping to bring investments to Chaozhou." (By Zhu Xiao; Photos courtesy of Chaozhou Release)