On the evening of 19 August, beneath the foot of Banshan Hill in northern Hangzhou, starlight mingled with festive lanterns as the 11th Grand Canal Collective Wedding and Qiaoshan Qiqiao Folk Event—themed “Love on Qixi, Vows at Wangchen”—unfolded as planned.

Carrying forward the romantic tradition of previous years, the event kicked off simultaneously at the Grand Canal Hanggang Park and Banshan National Forest Park, weaving together traditional wedding customs and the Qiaoshan Qiqiao culture in a deep fusion. It’s yet another chapter in the ongoing effort to shine a spotlight on Banshan’s distinctive cultural identity and write the next page of the “Harmonious and Beautiful Banshan” story.

Qiaoshan, located within the Shenjiaqiao area of Banshan Subdistrict, was once known as Longzhu (Dragon Pearl) Hill. It earned its fame as the official Qixi gathering place in Hangzhou—a tradition that stretches back a thousand years—when King Qian Liu of Wuyu visited to watch folk Qiqiao activities on Qixi, and later when Emperor Gaozong of the Southern Song made a royal stop here.

The event was built around a human narrative arc saying “Qiqiao at Qiaoshan—Daughters Coming of Age—Fate Brings Lovers Together—A Union for a Hundred Years.” With intangible cultural heritage as its vehicle and folk customs at its heart, it created an immersive, traditional-Chinese-style feast. Alongside, a special heritage bazaar, night tour experiences, and other fresh new offerings helped cultivate a sweet new consumption scene, giving the district’s cultural tourism a steady upgrade.

That evening, ten couples dressed in Song-dynasty wedding attire slowly made their way into the ceremony area as the master of ceremonies chanted ancient rites. After the ceremonial music and welcoming fanfare, the couples proceeded through a series of traditional rituals: the Que Shan Li (face-veil fan ceremony), the Wo Guan Li (hand-washing ritual), the Bai Tang Li (bowing to heaven, earth, and parents), the He Jin Li (drinking from a bonded goblet), the Jie Fa Li (tying a knot of hair), and the Qiqiao San Li (three Qiqiao rites)—as if bringing a thousand-year-old wedding pageant back to life on Banshan Hill. Friends, family, and onlookers watched in rapt attention, bursting into warm applause from time to time, while many young visitors raised their phones to capture the rare spectacle. A couple married for 11 years was also invited to share their thoughts on a happy marriage, spreading a message of harmony and mutual respect.

Down at the foot of the hill, the “Qiaoshan Heritage Qiqiao Bazaar” was alive with chatter and steam from food stalls. The market was neatly laid out with seven Qiqiao heritage hands-on experiences and seven traditional-style shops. With every step, visitors felt as if they'd travelled a thousand years back to a Southern Song Qixi night. Interactive photo check-in points added to the fun, and the seven Qiqiao experiences—threading needles for skill, floating needles to test dexterity, worshiping the Kuixing Star, welcoming the lucky spider, making qiaoguo pastries, dyeing fingers with garden balsam, and seeking the Weaving Maid’s blessings—were all on offer, giving the public a real taste of the ancient “Daughters’ Qiqiao” festivities.