File photo shows people enjoying folk activities in Guangyuan, Sichuan province. [Photo by Guangyuan city]

This weekend, on the 23rd day of the first lunar month, Guangyuan of Sichuan province beckons you to immerse yourself in the traditional Chinese style and charm of the Tang Dynasty (618-907), with an array of captivating activities.

Scheduled from Mar 3 to 8, the event will hold river sightseeing tours, a Tang-style market, and an array of ancient games, like touhu, an entertainment that requires players to throw arrows from a set distance into a pot, chuiwan, a ball game considered a precursor to golf, and mushe, a game to knock down the pins from a distance with a rolling wooden ball.

The launch ceremony on March 3 will feature scenario interpretations and vibrant folk performances to set the tone for the festivities.

Over the course of the 6-day event, visitors will also be treated to a showcase of folk activities such as tage (stomping and dancing), juggling, and pingshu, a traditional Chinese form of oral storytelling. The performers will hold a parade, providing an immersive and participatory experience for attendees.

In olden times, people preferred to visit Huangze Temple in memory of Empress Wu Zetian on her birthday, which fell on the 23rd day of the first lunar month. On that day, women would dress up and invite someone to stroll along the Jialing River in the hopes of receiving good luck.

On March 3 this year, women can enjoy complimentary access to Huangze Temple and Qianfo Cliff.

Throughout the event, there will be daily giveaways including 1,000 free tickets to city scenic spots, movie vouchers, and discounted hotel accommodation, which are expected to provide visitors with the most enticing spring travel incentives.