Bencha ancient town in Rudong county, Nantong, Jiangsu province, will serve as the main venue of the 2026 Nantong Farmers' Harvest Festival, Golden Autumn Consumption Season and Agri-Culture-Tourism Carnival.

The opening ceremony at 2:30 pm on Sept 23 will feature fishing-farming folk performances, Bencha intangible heritage, interviews with new farmers and cooperation signings. A Bencha specialty map and three tour routes covering family trips, study tours and wellness travel will also be released.

The fun will continue with a harvest market of nearly 40 stalls offering Rudong seafood, Bencha snacks, fresh produce and ready-to-cook dishes, with free tastings.

Livestreams by farmers and village officials will sell local goods, while coffee tastings and business exchanges will add a modern touch. Village chefs will showcase their culinary skills in a competition, while visitors can participate in rice threshing, grain milling, and field picking activities in Chenwan village on October 20.

Bencha ancient town is filled with a lively atmosphere. [Photo/WeChat account: rudongfb]

Sports fans will be able to join in the rural fun run at 8 am on Sept 23, while a dragon boat show will be held on the canal at 4:30 pm and a farm-themed garden party will also be organized on the same day as the opening.

From Sept 23 to late October, coupons for farm products, food and accommodation are expected to boost local and regional spending.

From Sept 25 to Oct 5, the town will become an immersive Mid-Autumn and National Day folk park, with intangible heritage workshops, performances and nightly light shows.