Sichuan celebrates New Year with Dujiangyan Village Candy Fair 2026 combining water conservancy history modern creativity and visitor engagement

Sichuan rang in the New Year with the spectacular Dujiangyan Village Candy Fair 2026, an event that seamlessly blends the region’s rich water conservancy history with modern creative experiences and interactive visitor engagement. Centered in Dujiangyan, home to the world’s oldest functioning irrigation system, the fair opened with a dazzling lantern show inspired by centuries-old engineering achievements and local legends. Visitors were immediately immersed in a vibrant cultural landscape where giant lantern installations, historical storytelling, and creative displays highlighted the ingenuity of ancient water management while offering modern aesthetic appeal. Beyond the nighttime spectacle, the festival extends across Guanxian Ancient Town and the Sustaining Water Forever Culture and Creation Industrial Park, featuring themed bazaars, interactive trails, gamified challenges, and cultural performances. Together, these experiences not only showcase Dujiangyan’s unique heritage but also actively involve attendees in discovery, learning, and celebration, reinforcing the city’s position as a premier destination for cultural tourism and holiday festivities.

The opening ceremony unfolded after nightfall with a spectacular lantern exhibition that set the tone for the celebrations. Drawing inspiration from Dujiangyan’s deep-rooted relationship with water management, the lantern displays transformed public spaces into illuminated storytelling zones. Towering installations depicted scenes drawn from historical legends, folklore, and the enduring legacy of the Dujiangyan irrigation system. Through light, color, and scale, the displays recreated the spirit of an era when engineering innovation and respect for nature shaped the region’s prosperity. The lantern show offered visitors an immersive visual journey, turning history into an engaging nighttime experience that appealed to families, culture enthusiasts, and holiday travelers alike.

As festivities continued, Guanxian Ancient Town emerged as a central hub for daytime exploration. A themed bazaar running through January 3 brings together an extensive range of local flavors and craftsmanship. Stalls feature Dujiangyan’s signature beverages, traditional teas, regional liquors, and an array of local snacks, giving visitors a taste of the city’s culinary identity. The market also highlights several geographical indication products associated with Sichuan’s agricultural heritage, alongside refined handicrafts representing intangible cultural traditions. Adding further diversity, specialty products from across Sichuan broaden the fair’s appeal and encourage visitors to explore the province’s wider cultural landscape through food and craftsmanship.

To deepen engagement with the historic town, organizers introduced an interactive urban orienteering activity designed around exploration and discovery. Two themed routes guide participants through waterways, historic streets, and food-focused neighborhoods, blending sightseeing with playful challenges. Using a digital mini-program, visitors can check in at designated locations, collect stamps, and unlock special offers from partnered local businesses. This interactive format encourages longer stays, boosts local consumption, and turns traditional sightseeing into a participatory cultural experience.

Beyond the bazaar and orienteering routes, a rich program of cultural and tourism activities fills the holiday calendar. Live demonstrations of traditional skills, immersive performances, themed parades, and interactive street shows animate the ancient town throughout the day. An exhibition featuring specialty products from Dujiangyan’s international sister cities adds a global dimension, highlighting cultural exchange while expanding the fair’s commercial and tourism reach.

From January 1 to 3, celebrations extend to the Sustaining Water Forever Culture and Creation Industrial Park, where visitors can take part in an ancient-style immersive experience. Designed to evoke historical settings, the event invites guests to interact with performers dressed in traditional attire and imaginative costumes. Participants follow themed routes, complete challenges, answer quizzes, and showcase talents to earn symbolic “silver notes,” which can be exchanged for gifts or used in prize draws. This gamified approach transforms cultural learning into an engaging and memorable experience for visitors of all ages.

One of the most talked-about highlights at the industrial park is the appearance of the original anime-style creative IP “Nine-Tails Lingjiu.” Its official participation underscores the importance of originality and creative authenticity in cultural tourism. By integrating contemporary design with traditional themes, the character adds a modern cultural layer to the festivities while reinforcing respect for original creative work.

Looking beyond the holiday period, the industrial park plans to host ongoing exhibitions, markets, and interactive programs centered on water conservancy culture. These initiatives aim to bring together traditional heritage items and innovative cultural products, ensuring year-round engagement rather than a single seasonal attraction.

Complementing the physical fair, an online Village Candy Fair marketplace has also been launched. Digital avatars inspired by Dujiangyan’s local culture act as virtual ambassadors, promoting events, introducing products, and extending the fair’s influence into the digital space.

Together, these initiatives present the Dujiangyan Village Candy Fair as a comprehensive cultural tourism platform. By weaving history, creativity, technology, and local commerce into one cohesive experience, the event reinforces Dujiangyan’s identity as a destination where ancient wisdom continues to inspire contemporary travel and celebration.

The post Sichuan celebrates New Year with Dujiangyan Village Candy Fair 2026 combining water conservancy history modern creativity and visitor engagement appeared first on Travel and Tour World