The day finally comes for fans of vintage designs! To celebrate Hangzhou West Lake Day on June 24, when the West Lake cultural landscape was officially inscribed onto the World Heritage List 12 years ago, the second West Lake Guofeng (lit. Chinese Style) Festival would be held during the three-day holiday of the Dragon Boat Festival between June 22 and 24. Fans of hanfu (traditional costume of the Han people) are welcome to come to the West Lake to experience traditional Chinese elements. 

What are the highlights of this year's guofeng festival? 

In addition to the hanfu lake tour, on the first day, exhibitions of ten elegant elements of the Song Dynasty, including qin (a string instrument), qi (the game of Go), calligraphy, painting, poetry, wine, flowers, fragrance, tea, and stones, would be presented as the opening show. Citizens are welcome to come to the exhibitions to feel the charm of the Song Dynasty.

At seven o’clock on the day, China National Peking Opera Company (CNPOC) would stage the annual masterpiece “Bai She Zhuan” (The Legend of the White Snake), a classic drama adapted from Feng Menglong’s Jingshi Tongyan (Stories to Caution the World) by dramatist Tian Han in 1950.   

It is learned that performer Guo Xiao from China National Peking Opera Company would act as Bai Suzhen, and Hao Shipeng, also from CNPOC would play as Xu Xian, another important role Xiao Qing would be performed by Wu Tong from CNPOC.

On June 23, 12 singers, including Yinpin Guaiwu, Cai Yisheng, Xiaoai’s Mother, Aki A Jie, Feicun Kebei, Xuanshang, Liulang de Wawa (Wandering Frog), would sing nearly 30 ancient style songs at the West Lake, an audiovisual feast.  

Other activities include Guofeng Market and Guofeng Role Play. Nowadays, tickets for the guofeng festival are available. For more ticket information, please go to Damai app or applet, search for the Second West Lake Guofeng Festival on the “Hangzhou West Lake” applet, or search for the location of Xihu Tiandi Lawn on Douyin to enter the purchasing channel.