On July 17, the “Fish and Dragon Leap Yao River: Song Charm Opens a Thousand Years” immersive Song-style spectacle officially opened at Huangyao Ancient Town in Hezhou, Guangxi, running through August 30. The thousand-year-old 5A-grade town uses fish-dragon motifs and Song dynasty aesthetics to present day-and-night immersive performances, where visitors can experience Song-system hanfu parades, ao-yu (giant fish) lantern night tours, and cuju (ancient football) interactions.
Day shows run from 14:30 to 17:00 under the theme “Garden Dreaming: Enjoy Guofeng Elegance.” “Cloud Robes Return Together” recreates the procession of Song dynasty court ladies, with dancers in wide sleeves; “Twin Sleeves Resting” performs flowing water-sleeve dance beneath the Sleeping Immortal Banyan; “Four Scholars Ascend” presents a male group dance showing the ambition of Song literati youths. The parade winds through the gardens with classical poetry interactions along the route.
The night session from 19:30 to 20:00 brings the highlight. A Song-style ritual official enters with a jade tablet and recites; maidens with lanterns lead the way. A three-meter giant ao-yu lantern closes the show, glowing gold with drums and music, symbolizing rising success and annual peace. The night banquet blends ritual ceremony and market life: “Top Ao-Yu: Cinnabar Enlightenment” recreates a Song river-blessing rite; “Song Cuju Spring” demonstrates traditional cuju techniques; “Lantern Festival: Qing Yu An Chant” revives the Lantern Festival scene from Xin Qiji’s famous lyric, carrying the fish-dragon lantern custom inherited by Huangyao’s Han, Zhuang, and Yao communities for centuries.
On non-weekend days (except Fridays and Saturdays), the town also hosts fixed-point “Huangyao Secret Realm” shows and parade interactions from 10:30 to 21:00, with four stations at the East Gate Tower, Sleeping Immortal Banyan, Dragon Claw Banyan, and Farming Workshop, letting visitors experience Song elegance from sunrise to moonrise.
Huangyao Ancient Town was founded in the KaiBao era of the Song dynasty, known for its “small bridges and flowing water, towering ancient banyans, blue-stone old streets, and couplet plaques.” It has been rated among “China’s Most Valuable Ancient Towns for Tourism” and “China’s Famous Historical and Cultural Towns.” The scenic area launched summer discounts: from July 10 to year-end, Hezhou residents and primary and secondary students nationwide enter free; from July 10 to September 30, nationwide visitors enjoy a 66 yuan preferential ticket.