Zhangzhou, a historic city in south China's Fujian Province with over 1,200 years of history, is captivating tourists during the May Day holiday with dazzling cultural performances, spotlighting its renowned glove puppetry.
This year's May Day holiday in China runs from Thursday to Monday, offering enthusiastic holidaymakers a five-day break to travel around or enjoy unique local events.
At the city square, a captivating stilt drama inspired by Ne Zha, the legendary Chinese figure with extraordinary powers, took center stage on the first day of the holiday. The performance featured a fascinating interplay between stilt walkers and glove puppet artists, enhanced by festive robot dogs adorned with traditional decorations, drawing crowds of enthusiastic visitors.
Zhangzhou's glove puppetry was recognized in 2006 as part of the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage protection list.
"It felt very novel and exciting. The interactive performances of Zhangzhou glove puppets and stilts were particularly contrasting, and the robot dog was very cute. I can feel that this city has rich cultural heritage," said tourist Li Huanglvchen.
In the ancient city puppet art performance hall, classic plays on folk tales and mythologies were performed on repeat, enchanting audiences with their charm. Outside, the streets came alive with successive displays of giant puppets and parades celebrating traditional intangible cultural heritage.
Adding to the vibrant scene, cultural and creative products infused with local cuisine and culture also captivated tourists.
"I just had a lot of delicious Zhangzhou snacks. I plan to wander around for a while, buy some delicious food and some dolls, and bring them back to share with my good friends," said tourist Luo Qiong.
Fujian's historic city attracts tourists with vibrant cultural shows during May Day holiday
