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The Xiasha banquet has a long history, originating around 800 years ago when troops protected the emperor as he fled south to escape the enemy during the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). Arriving in the Shenzhen Bay area, they stopped in a village in what is now Hong Kong’s New Territories. Local villagers served them homemade food in a large pot to alleviate their hunger. Since then, the tradition of preparing a feast to commemorate the emperor’s arrival has continued and gradually developed into a Lantern Festival custom in Xiasha.

International vibe

The Lantern Festival fair at Sea World in Shekou attracted a diverse crowd. Hosted by the Zhaoshang Subdistrict, the fair boasted 17 booths offering food, arts, games, and cultural experiences. Live music, a drone show, and fountain performances added to the festive ambiance.

Ali Shoaib, a Pakistani who has resided in China for three years, said: “This is my first time celebrating the Chinese New Year and Lantern Festival in Shenzhen, and it has allowed me to immerse myself in Chinese culture. I have captured videos and photos as mementos, sharing them with my friends.”

“We celebrated the Chinese New Year in Chinatown in Los Angeles with a dragon dance and a simple parade, but the experience here in China is very different,” Gannt Wystix, from the U.S., remarked after volunteering at the fair. “The fair at Sea World has allowed me to explore various aspects of Chinese culture including different foods and snacks from across China.”

Bi Mingyan, director of the Nanshan International Cultural Exchange & Service Center, highlighted the importance of such events in promoting international cultural exchange. Zhaoshang Subdistrict, as an international locale, leveraged the festival to deepen foreigners’ understandings of Chinese culture and local traditions, according to her.