The 2025 "Girls Tour Jialing River" festival took place in Guangyuan, Sichuan province, over the weekend. With the resounding strike of a gong, the highly anticipated Tang-style market opened on Feng Street, transporting visitors back in time.

The Tang-style market opens on Feng Street in Guangyuan, Sichuan province on Feb 20. [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

A Vibrant Marketplace

From sweet delicacies and traditional snacks to exquisite calligraphy and paintings, the bustling marketplace was alive with eager visitors exploring its diverse offerings.

Street performers captivated crowds with mesmerizing juggling acts, while cosplayers dressed as historical figures such as Wu Zetian, China's only empress, and Di Renjie, the famed judge and statesman of Tang Court, wandered the market, immersing tourists in the grandeur of a bygone era.

At a calligraphy booth, Mr Zhang, a visitor from Tianshui, Gansu province, commissioned a handwritten piece from a skilled artist. With a graceful dip of the brush, the artist elegantly inscribed the phrase "Health is Fortune," drawing admiration from onlookers for his masterful strokes.

Cosplayers dressed as historical figures of Tang Dynasty wander the market. [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

A Feast for the Senses

Vendors clad in Tang-style attire called out to passersby, offering candied hawthorns, popcorn, and cotton candy. One of the most popular stalls was the handmade rice tofu stand from Longtan township, Lizhou district, where visitors eagerly lined up to savor the traditional dish.

"It's delicious, spicy, and brings back childhood memories," said Mr Li, a local resident, as he purchased two portions after sampling the cold rice tofu.

According to Guan Qin, a representative from Longtan township, the handcrafted rice tofu, a recognized intangible cultural heritage delicacy of Lizhou district, was in high demand. By 11 am, all 500 portions prepared for the morning had sold out, with many customers pre-ordering for the afternoon.

People enjoy the festive atmosphere in Guangyuan, Sichuan province, the hometown of Empress Wu Zetian of the Tang Dynasty. [Photo provided to cngy.gov.cn]

Engaging Cultural Experiences

To enhance visitor participation, ten interactive experience zones featuring Tang Dynasty cultural activities were set up along the route. Traditional games such as pitch-pot, archery, and cuju (an ancient form of Chinese football), along with lantern riddles, butterfly-themed poetry challenges, and coin-tossing for blessings, drew enthusiastic participants.

Dedicated to Empress Wu of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), the fete has evolved over centuries, continuing to enchant visitors. Historically, people visited Huangze Temple on the 23rd day of the first lunar month — Empress Wu's birthday — to pay tribute to her legacy. On this day, women would dress in their finest attire and invite companions for a riverside stroll along the Jialing River, hoping to receive good fortune.