Changsha Festivals and Events

Changsha, a place with many ethnic minorities, has many unique folk festivals and the strong customs, which have become the major scenery line of Hunan Tourism. Although there are many traditional festivals in China, the most exciting is undoubtedly unique festivals for all ethnic groups. Here, China Dragon Tours will introduce the representative ethnic festivals in Changsha.

Hunan World Famous Flowers Eco-cultural Festival

The 2019 Hunan World Famous Flowers Eco-cultural Festival kicked off at Hunan Forest Botanical Garden on March 20. The 35-day festival enables visitors to enjoy world famous flowers such as cherry, peach blossoms, azaleas, and tulips. Cherry Blossom Garden is home to one hundred varieties, including Somei Yoshino (Yoshino Cherry), Weeping Cherry, and cherry blossom with multi-layer petals or single-layer petals.

Cherry Blossom Garden is home to one hundred varieties, including Somei Yoshino (Yoshino Cherry), Weeping Cherry, and cherry blossom with multi-layer petals or single-layer petals. A tulip show attracts many tourists. It also includes many rare bulb or perennial flowers which are introduced to Hunan for the first time, including onion- or garlic-scented bulbous herbs, anemone, Iris hollandica, and iris germanica. During the festival, eight themed activities will be held, including Huazhao Festival (literally birthday of all flowers), 2019 Mango Music Festival, and “Learning from Lei Feng” public welfare activity.

Hua Zhao Festival Observed on Orange Isle

On March 24, 2019, a cultural activity to celebrate Hua Zhao Festival, also known as Hua Shen Festival (literally means “festival of the god of flowers”), was held on Orange Isle, Changsha. More than 500 people dressed in Hanfu (the traditional costume of Han people) participated, showing the charm of traditional culture. They also sang songs to express their love for the motherland. The photo above shows girls dressed in Hanfu pay homage to the Flower God. 

Hua Zhao Festival celebrates the birthday of all flowers. It is a traditional festival of the Han people, usually celebrated roughly between the solar terms Jingzhe and Chunfen, on day 2nd, 12th or 15th of the second month of the Chinese lunar calendar (on the beginning of spring, around March and April in the Gregorian calendar). The festival symbolizes that flowers are blooming when spring comes.

Lantern Festival Activities in Changsha

The Lantern Festival is an important part of the Spring Festival. It marks the end of the Chinese New Year's celebration. The Lantern Festival, also known as the Yuan Xiao Festival, falls on February 19 this year. Lantern displays are a big part of this festival. To celebrate the occasion, a variety of activities such as lantern show and lantern riddle guessing are being held or to be held in Changsha.

Huogongdian Temple Fair

With a history of more than 260 years, Huogongdian is famous for offering the most authentic Hunan snacks. Huogongdian, a temple to worship the god of fire in ancient times, is now a must-see for those who want to experience traditional folk cultures. A grand temple fair featuring a series of traditional folk activities will be held in Huogongdian on festive occasions, like Spring Festival and Lantern Festival. The temple fair will include a lantern show, lion dances, folk performances, and local delicacies, aiming to showcase folk culture to visitors. Attendees can enjoy a one-stop travel experience here, covering dining, leisure, and entertainment.

Tujia June 6(土家六月六)

Tujia June 6 is celebrated on June 6 in the lunar calendar and is held in Tujia Towns and Villages. Tujia June 6 has a very rich festival customs, some related to the sky, some related to the earth, some related to God and some related to the ancestors. The customs related to the sky are mainly "worshiping the Sun God." Therefore, it is necessary to worship the sun god, pray for the sun god to give sunshine,  and ensure a good harvest.