Hangzhou’s historic Grand Canal waterfront came alive again with the 12th China Grand Canal Temple Fair from November 13 to 16. The fair this year, themed “Old Hangzhou, New Life,” spans six vibrant districts along the river course. The immersive cultural events breathed fresh energy into the millennia-old waterway, weaving the past and the present into one dynamic experience.
The undisputed highlight? A city-wide scavenger hunt called “Monopoly Meets Song Dynasty” - a playful twist on the classic board game. The entire street became a real-life time-warp adventure - where visitors strolled cobblestone lanes and wandered among whitewashed walls and dark-tiled roofs, collecting specially designed canal-themed stamps by interacting with street peddlers or snapping photos with costumed NPCs (non-player characters). Complete the full set, and you could score free tickets to performances, attractions, and even a complimentary meal at select eateries. It was like stepping straight into the bustling streets of the “Along the River During the Qingming Festival” (清明上河图) scroll, but with modern-day rewards.
Each of the six venues brought its own creative spin on Song-era elegance and contemporary lifestyle:
Dadou Road unveiled its brand-new mascot “Doudou the Kitchen God,” making his debut at the market. National-level performers dazzled crowds with a stilt-walking parade - towering on stilts in ornate costumes, reenacting everyday life in the Song dynasty and instantly transporting onlookers back 1,000 years.
Qiaoxi became a haven for intangible cultural heritage and chrysanthemum art. Traditional crafts like paper-cutting, oil-paper umbrella making, and seal carving were showcased in living demonstrations. Meanwhile, the “2025 Yangtze River Delta Chrysanthemum Art Festival & Hangzhou’s 11th Chrysanthemum Show (Gongshu Venue)” filled the air with autumnal charm. Visitors could try their hand at Song-style “Four Refined Pastimes” - flower arranging, hairpin decorating, incense appreciation, and guqin playing - and might even bump into a stilt-walking street vendor who’d lead them straight to family-friendly art activities at the nearby Canal Arts Park.
Xiaohe Park hosted a lively “Bakery Fest,” drawing nearly 50 beloved local and international bakeries. Paired with improv comedy from Kaixin Mahua and live sets by Shanwa Music, it offered a relaxed, joyful escape for locals and tourists alike. The fun extended online too - through the “Canal Walk” mini-program, people may check in at six heritage sites to unlock custom digital posters and limited-edition “Good Luck” gifts.
Xiaohe Zhijie recreated the raucous energy of Southern Song-era entertainment quarters. Street performers - dubbed “hustlers of old” - delivered slapstick comedy and acrobatics, while guests tried their luck at traditional games like pitch-pot and cuju (ancient Chinese football), getting a hands-on taste of how people played centuries ago.
At Canal World, the focus was squarely on Gen Z. Dubbed the “Youth De-Stress Program,” it featured stress-busting markets, pickleball courts, and even pop-up street massages (“Ma Sha Ji,” a playful nod to Thai massage). The nightly “De-Stress Live Music” sessions lit up the area from November 14, complemented by sunset cinema screenings and performances at Midi Livehouse, proving that youthful energy pulses strongest right alongside the ancient river.
“We wanted to re-imagine heritage in ways that feel fresh and engaging,” said Zhang Zhiyi, Deputy General Manager of Cultural Tourism at Hangzhou Commercial & Tourism Group (Grand Canal Group). “This temple fair is a living example of how we can creatively transform cultural legacy for today’s audiences.” To secure such connections, the event also introduced a content co-creation incentive, i.e. “to share your moments and get exclusive gifts.”