Tradition and tech converge in mountain festival

A performer appears against the scenic backdrop of Muluojia goddess valley in Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

From Saturday to Sunday, a "March 3" guochao (China-chic) festival, themed "Picturesque Jincheng River, carefree as immortals", was held at the Muluojia goddess valley scenic area in Hechi, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

Set against the karst landscape, staff members dressed in flowing hanfu (traditional Chinese attire) and visitors in traditional ethnic costumes wove through the valley, where time-honored folk customs met cutting-edge technology, creating a spring cultural and tourism experience for guests near and far.

March 3, also known as the Shangsi Festival, is celebrated by multiple ethnic groups in China, on the third day of the third month of the Chinese calendar. As an important traditional festival among the Zhuang-Dong ethnic language group, it holds deep cultural meaning and has become a distinctive tourism IP of Guangxi.

According to legend, Muluojia is the creator goddess in Zhuang mythology, symbolizing life, reproduction, and creation. The Muluojia goddess valley, considered her cultural birthplace, combines striking karst scenery with a rich cultural heritage, making it an iconic regional landmark.

An actress playing goddess Muluojia leads 12 flower deities in "bestowing flowers and blessings" ritual for visitors. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

At the heart of the event, a professional actress portraying Muluojia, draped in a regal purple robe and holding sheaves of wheat symbolizing life and renewal, leads 12 flower deities, six male and six female, in a ritual of "bestowing flowers and blessings" for visitors. The performance turns layered cultural memory into a vivid, participatory experience.

Lingzi Kan Shijie (Lingzi watches the world), a travel blogger with millions of followers, said: "The scenery here is absolutely stunning! It's a place for all ages. You can take in the views, try local delicacies, and experience Zhuang culture and lifestyle. It's truly special."

Another online influencer, Huasheng (peanut) Camille, who traveled all the way from Beijing, said: "The scenery here is exceptionally beautiful, so different from Northern China — lush mountains, clear waters, birdsong, and a calm, almost ethereal atmosphere. I love it!"