Ghost City Temple Fair in Chongqing

? Historical Origins

The Fengdu Ghost City Temple Fair (丰都鬼城庙会) is a National Intangible Cultural Heritage of China, celebrated every year on the third day of the third lunar month.

• Origins: The fair originated during the Tang (唐) and Song (宋) dynasties, took shape in the Ming Dynasty (明代), and flourished from the Qing Dynasty (清代) to the Republican era.

• Transformation: It began as a “fragrance fair” (香会) centered on temple offerings, later evolving into a large-scale folk temple fair.

• Revival: The event was restored in 1988, fixed annually to commemorate the marriage of King Yama (阎罗天子) and Lady Lu Ying (卢瑛).

? Core Activities

? The “Underworld King’s Wedding” Parade (阴天子娶亲)

The highlight of the temple fair is the grand parade reenacting the legendary wedding of the Underworld King.

• Street processions recreate the grandeur of the “Three Realms Paying Tribute” (三界朝贺).

• Visitors can interact with performers, experiencing the blend of myth, ritual, and festivity.

? Rituals & Ceremonies

• Ghost Festival Rites (放焰口) and river lantern release (放河灯) offer prayers and blessings for lost souls.

• City God Patrol (城隍出巡) emphasizes compassion and the transcendence of restless spirits.

? Folk Performances

• Nuo Opera (傩戏), Ghost Mask Dance (鬼面舞), Water Dragon Dance (水龙舞), and Zhong Kui Marrying Off His Sister (钟馗嫁妹).

• Short folk dramas such as “Catching Qin Hui Alive” (活捉秦桧) highlight the festival’s central theme of rewarding virtue and punishing evil.

? Traditional Crafts

Witness live demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage crafts, including:

• Leaf vein paintings (叶脉画)

• Ghost-face gourd paintings (鬼脸谱瓢画)

• Bamboo weaving (包鸾竹编)

? Food & Trade

• Feast on local specialties like Beef Hotpot Banquet (万人牛肉火锅宴), Ghost Buns (鬼包子), and Spicy Chicken (麻辣鸡块).

• The fair also integrates cultural exhibitions with trade events, creating a unique “Culture + Business” experience.

? Cultural Significance

The Fengdu Ghost City Temple Fair (丰都鬼城庙会) is more than just a folk celebration:

• It blends Taoist, Buddhist, and Confucian beliefs into a unique cultural expression.

• Transforms underworld legends into educational, entertaining experiences.

• Emphasizes moral values: “Good is rewarded, evil is punished.”

• Today, it stands as one of the most influential folk festivals in the Sichuan-Chongqing (川渝) region.

? Travel Information

• Dates: Every year on the 3rd day of the 3rd lunar month (In 2025: March 29 – April 6, 2025)

• Location: Fengdu County (丰都县城) & Ming Mountain Scenic Area (名山景区), Chongqing (重庆)

• Admission: Many events are free and open to the public

• Recommended Experiences:

  • Night tour of Fengdu Ghost City (夜游酆都城)

  • Walk across the 5D Glass Bridge (5D玻璃桥)

  • DIY workshops such as Nuo Opera Mask Painting (傩戏面具绘制)

? Why Visit?

The Fengdu Ghost City Temple Fair (丰都鬼城庙会) offers visitors a rare blend of myth, ritual, folk art, cuisine, and moral philosophy.
It is not only a window into China’s rich underworld legends, but also an immersive festival where you can watch parades, join rituals, taste spicy hotpot, and paint ghost masks — all while experiencing a living cultural heritage.

? If you’re traveling in Chongqing in spring, don’t miss this one-of-a-kind festival!