This year, the May Day holiday coincides with the traditional Wu Ding Festival (伍丁诞). From May 1 to May 5, 2025, Zhaoqing City will host the Duan Inkstone Culture Carnival and the Wu Ding Festival series of events.
Renowned for producing Duan inkstones (also known as Duanyan), Zhaoqing is known as the "Inkstone Capital of China." Wu Ding (伍丁) is a legendary figure regarded as the founding ancestor of stone carving in the Duan inkstone industry. Every year, on the eighth day of the fourth month in the traditional Chinese calendar (May 5 in 2025), inkstone craftsmen celebrate Wu Ding's birthday.
Event schedule
● Dates: May 1–5, 2025
● Daily hours: 9:00 AM–9:00 PM
Event venue
● Duanyan Cultural Village (端砚文化村), Baishi Village (白石村), and Binri Village (宾日村)
● Main venue: Duanyan Cultural Village Square
● Folk activities will be held in designated areas in Baishi and Binri villages.
File photo of dragon dance at Wu Ding Festival (Photo: Luo Xinru)
Event highlights
1. Opening Ceremony of the Duan Inkstone Culture Carnival
Time: May 1, 10:00–11:00 AM
Location: Main stage at Duanyan Cultural Village
Highlights: Traditional lion dance, martial arts, and battle drum performances.
2. Panel discussion: Exploring new pathways for Duan Inkstone culture
Time: May 1, 3:00 AM–5:30 PM
Location: Duan Inkstone Museum (端砚博物馆)
Highlights: Discussions among officials, scholars, and masters about the Duan inkstone industry, cultural tourism integration, and future trends, with audience interaction.
3. Wu Ding Festival traditional activities
a. Folk activities
Time: May 5, 7:00 AM–10:00 AM
Locations: Baishi and Binri Villages
b. Apprenticeship Ceremony
Time: May 5, 10:40 AM–11:30 AM
Location: Duanyan Cultural Village Square
Highlights: Traditional celebrations and formal apprentice ceremonies with masters, scholars, and apprentices.
File photo of an apprenticeship ceremony in Zhaoqing (Photo: Lu Shuman)
4. Duan Inkstone experience
Inkstone carving and rubbing demonstrations, calligraphy, and personalized inkstone.
Time: May 1, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM and 3:30 PM-5:30 PM
5. Zhaoqing cuisines
a. Large banquets featuring local cuisine.
Time: May 1–5, evenings
Location: Second-floor Platform, Duanyan Cultural Village
b. Family workshops for Duan inkstone carving and traditional rice dumpling making.
Time: May 1–5, 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
Location: Small park under the bridge in Baishi Village
6. Cultural performances
a. Cantonese golden hits concert
Time: April 30, 7:30–9:00 PM
Location: Main stage at Duanyan Cultural Village
b. Pop music concert
Time: May 1, 7:30–9:00 PM
Location: Main stage at Duanyan Cultural Village
c. Classic Cantonese Opera performance
Time: May 2, 7:30–9:00 PM
Location: Main stage at Duanyan Cultural Village
d. Daily Folk Arts Stage Performances
Time: May 2-3 10:00–11:00 PM, and May 3-5 7:30–9:00 PM
Location: Main stage at Duanyan Cultural Village
e. "Fireball Dance" intangible cultural heritage performances
Time: May 1-5, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 PM
Location: Baishi Village
f. Arm wrestling challenge
Time: May 1-5
Location: Duanyan Cultural Village
g. Light show
Time: April 30-May 5
Location: Duanyan Cultural Village
7. Flash mobs and pop-up performances
Time: May 1-5
Location: Duanyan Cultural Village and Fengchi Water Stage (凤池水上舞台)
8. Inkstone creative market
Over 150 booths featuring the Four Treasures of the Study (brush, ink, paper, inkstone), local intangible heritage crafts, specialty foods, and trendy cultural products.
Time: May 1-5, 9:00 AM-9:00 PM
Location: Duanyan Cultural Village
9. Youth creative market
Areas for student innovation, photography exhibits, cosplay, and antique collections.
Time: May 1–5, 9:00 AM-9:00 PM
Location: Second Floor, Duanyan Cultural Village
10. Duan Inkstone livestream auction
Daily livestreams showcasing and auctioning Duan inkstones and related products.
Time: May 1–4, 3:00 PM-5:00 PM
Location: Main stage at Duanyan Cultural Village
11. Inkstone art exhibitions
Exhibition of award-winning works, intangible cultural heritage pieces, and traditional embroidery art.
Time: May 1-30
Location: Duan Inkstone Museum
12. Four Treasures games
Interactive activities themed around the Four Treasures of the Study (brush, ink, paper, and inkstone) with opportunities to win prizes.
Author | Chen Longyan
Editor | Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
