Beijing’s historic Moshikou street is bringing the Duanwu Festival alive with its third annual Guochao Culture Festival, running June 19–21. The centuries-old commercial corridor — once a key stop on the camel-bell trade route west of the capital — transforms into an immersive stage where traditional folk customs, Ming Dynasty heritage, and contemporary guochao aesthetics converge.
Hanfu Society Takes the Stage
On the morning of June 19, the Hanfu Society from RDFZ Shijingshan School (人大附中石景山学校) partnered with Moshikou’s historic street for a campus-community collaboration. Students conducted historical research walks along the Ming-era architecture, then staged a dedicated showcase wearing dignified Ming-style hanfu — their garments’ refined elegance resonating with the street’s Ming Dynasty building facades. The program featured guzheng performances, Duanwu folk custom displays, cultural interactions, hanfu dance, and traditional etiquette demonstrations, channeling youth energy into activating regional cultural heritage.
The festival’s signature event is a folk parade combining dragon dance and Jingxi Taiping Drum — both recognized intangible cultural heritage forms. Visitors can register to join the parade itself, though the notice explicitly states: “Participants must wear hanfu on the day.” Parade runners at 15:00 and 18:00 each day are handed seasonal botanical offerings — mugwort and peilan herbs — carrying forward the ancient custom of epidemic-avoidance and well-wishing.
Five folklore NPCs roam the street in elegant hanfu: Qu Yuan the poet-sage, and four “immortal maidens” representing calamus, peilan, lotus, and mugwort. Their scripted storylines blend with the real street scenery — every step a poetic tableau. Visitors engage in challenge-based quests, collecting “Camel Bell Currency” redeemable for crafted gifts.
Two timed workshops let visitors touch tradition directly: sachet-making sessions at 11:00–11:50 and zongzi-wrapping sessions at 17:00–17:50, both running all three days. Participants can register online or spend two Camel Bell Currency notes on-site — materials are limited and distributed first-come-first-served.
Guofeng Flash Performances
Guzheng and bamboo flute flash concerts echo through the ancient street, while six landmark check-points offer custom single-color and limited four-color overlay souvenir stamps. A free stamp-collection booklet guides visitors through the street’s most photogenic corners.
This year’s festival also marks the debut of the “2026 Moshikou Gifts” collection — over ten locally curated artisan products officially launched at Dragon King Temple Square on Duanwu Day. From Ningxia Guyuan’s mountain goods to Jingxi craft specialties, the street proves that heritage is not just looked at — it is walked through, worn, tasted, and carried home.
