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The folk parade attracts lots of visitors. [Photo by Li Zhongbo/Guilin Daily]
The annual Shuyang Festival, a time-honored agricultural celebration in Ping'an village, Longsheng's Longji town, Guilin, took place on June 14, immersing locals and visitors in a vibrant showcase of Zhuang ethnic culture and terraced farming traditions.
Festivities began with a colorful folk parade through the cascading Longji Terraces, creating a flowing ribbon of joy across the mountainous landscape. Participants then waded into waterlogged fields, demonstrating traditional farming techniques like plowing, harrowing, and transplanting rice seedlings. The celebration reached its peak with activities such as tug-of-war on the terraces and fish-catching competitions, drawing cheers and laughter from the crowds.
"This place is breathtaking, and the festival brilliantly blends local customs with fun experiences. Seeing so many international visitors enjoying themselves makes me want to return," said Chen Tao, a tourist from Nanning.
Liao Zhongnian, Party secretary of Ping'an village, said that the Shuyang Festival, held around Grain in Ear each year, historically prays for bountiful harvests. This year’s edition innovatively merged farming rituals, games, and immersive tourism, allowing deeper guest participation.
Longsheng has used such festivals to establish cultural tourism brands, blending ethnic heritage with agritourism. From January to June 2025, the county welcomed 5.8 million visitors, up 5.95 percent year-on-year, including 173,200 international tourists, marking a 43.67 percent surge.
