Poetry and lights

Wear your beautiful outfits, wander in the centuries-old Hakka compound and read classic poems; you will spend an unforgettable Lantern Festival.

Time: 8-9 p.m., Feb. 24-25, March 1-2

Venue: Dawan Ancestral Residence Book Room, Pingshan District (坪山城市书房•大万世居)

Metro: Line 14 to Jinlong Station (锦龙站), Exit B

A Lantern Festival night market at Dawan Ancestral Residence. File photos

Concerts, xiangsheng

On the night of Feb. 22, Chinese xiangsheng performer Feng Gong will lead a group of comedians to present a xiangsheng performance. On Feb. 24 afternoon, the Huayun Chinese Music Orchestra will play Chinese folk tunes spotlighting the pipa, dongxiao, suona, and other traditional Chinese instruments.

Venue: Pingshan Theater, Pingshan District (坪山大剧院)

Metro: Line 14 to Pingshan Square Station (坪山广场站), Exit D1

Kylin parade

A kylin parade will start from Dongjiang Column Memorial Hall through Dongzong Road, Dongsheng Street, Jianshe Street to Pingshan Subdistrict Office.

Time: 9-10:30 a.m., Feb. 24

Kylin dance

The Pingshan kylin dance is a city-level and provincial-level intangible cultural heritage. 

Time: 3 p.m., Feb. 24

Venue: Dawan Ancestral Residence Book Room, Pingshan District (坪山城市书房•大万世居)

Metro: Line 14 to Jinlong Station (锦龙站), Exit B

A kylin dance is performed at Dawan Ancestral Residence.

Making yuanxiao

Adjacent to Dawan Ancestral Residence, Dawan Mingxin Book Room used to be a school built in 1927. Now after renovation, the book room not only offers reading spaces and sells creative products, but also displays Hakka culture. On Saturday, let's make glutinous rice balls, or yuanxiao, to enjoy a sweet Lantern Festival.

Time: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Feb. 24

Venue: Dawan Mingxin Book Room, Pingshan District (坪山城市书房•大万明新学馆)

Metro: Line 16 to Pinghuan Station (坪环站), Exit A1

Botany workshop

On Saturday, children are invited to learn commonly seen vegetables and botanical knowledge at a workshop at Jingui Book Room, located inside the 300-year-old Jingui Village. It is a popular place for holding family-friendly activities for children to learn natural science. In addition to books, the room also houses specimens. 

Time: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Feb. 24

Venue: Jingui Book Room, Pingshan District (坪山城市书房•金龟自然书房)

Metro: Line 16 to Shijing Station (石井站), Exit D and then take a taxi

Lantern workshop

A Sunday workshop invites people to learn about traditional Chinese palace lanterns and modern paper lanterns, as well as crafting their own lanterns to celebrate the festival, at Wenwu Temple built in the late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). 

This 512-square-meter temple complex was originally used by Hakka people to honor Wenchang Wang, the god of literature and culture, and the ancient general Guan Yu, whose martial prowess was so extraordinary that he was deified as a god after his death. With the old architecture preserved, the temple has been repurposed as a division of Pingshan Book Rooms for locals to read books and hold cultural events. The book collection here has a special focus on Hakka history and culture.

Time: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Feb. 25

Venue: Wenwu Temple Book Room, Pingshan District (坪山城市书房•文武帝宫)

Metro: Line 16 to Pinghuan Station (坪环站), Exit A2

Printmaking workshop

Kylins are revered as auspicious symbols, representing protection, prosperity, success, and longevity in Chinese culture. On Sunday, residents and visitors are invited to join a printmaking workshop to make kylin-themed prints at Dawan Ancestral Residence, China’s largest and most completely preserved Hakka-style square compound built in 1791. Part of the residence has been repurposed as a division of Pingshan Book Rooms for locals to read books and host handicraft activities.

Time: 2:30-4:30 p.m., Feb. 25

Venue: Dawan Ancestral Residence Book Room, Pingshan District (坪山城市书房•大万世居)

Metro: Line 14 to Jinlong Station (锦龙站), Exit B