From May 29 to 31, amid the serene and festive atmosphere of the Dragon Boat Festival, permeated with the fragrance of rice dumplings, the opening ceremony of the 41st Wudalianchi Volcanic Holy Water Festival and the launching ceremony of the Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) Exhibition were held at Wudalianchi Global Geopark. Guests from all corners of the country converged on this wellness haven, forged by volcanic lava and nourished by sacred spring water, to celebrate this annual grand gala of national-level intangible cultural heritage, kicking off a magnificent feast where natural wonders and cultural treasures shine in mutual splendor.
At 8 p.m. on May 30, as night fell and colorful lights blazed simultaneously, streets and alleys across Wudalianchi Global Geopark were bustling with crowds. The opening ceremony of the 41st Wudalianchi Volcanic Holy Water Festival was held grandly at Holy Water Square.
The stage that followed transformed into an ocean of joy and harmony. A dazzling array of singing and dancing performances unfolded in succession, featuring not only golden oldies that evoke generational memories such as Thousands of Songs and I Like You, but also resounding anthems that express profound love for the motherland and hometown, including Walking in a Beautiful China, Home in Northeast China and Great China. An all-female folk music ensemble played Ode to Wudalianchi, its melodious tune delivering a heartfelt tribute to this magical land. The treasures of intangible cultural heritage blazed with dazzling radiance: Wen Tao’s Peking Opera Face-Changing and Fire Dance for a Flourishing Age were nothing short of breathtaking, demonstrating the extraordinary vitality of traditional art. The performance reached its climax with the tender song Wudalianchi Is Thinking of You, specially composed for this year’s festival. Its soulful melody conveyed the longing of the volcanic holy water for wanderers from afar, striking a chord with the entire audience.
On the morning of May 30, the solemn and grand Holy Water Worship Ceremony kicked off in all its glory by the side of Erlongquan Spring. With the invocation “Worship the sacred spring water, pray for the well-being of all people”, a powerful dance infused with primal energy and faith was staged spectacularly, as the host narrated the historical context of the holy water sacrifice in a soothing tone. Six young girls from different ethnic groups, holding holy water fetched from the Liuyanshen Spring of Wudalianchi, jointly poured the water—embodying the essence of the earth and the aspirations of the people—into the Holy Water Vessel. This symbolic ceremony vividly interpreted the shared reverence of people of all ethnic groups for the sacred spring water, as well as their sincere yearning for harmony and well-being.
The revelry of the festival extended far beyond the stage. By Beiyin Spring, tourists vied with each other to taste the magical cold mineral water hailed as a “golden treasure”. At the foot of the volcanoes, beside Zhongling Zen Temple, and along the banks of Eryan Spring, visitors could be seen lingering everywhere, marveling at the natural wonders and exchanging warm greetings of “Happy Dragon Boat Festival”.
For the first time, this year’s festival extended the opening hours of the cultural market and food street (from May 29 to June 2). As night fell, Holy Water Square was bathed in brilliant lights and thronged with a constant stream of people. Stalls offering nearly 100 types of featured goods, including volcanic mud facial masks, cold mineral spring drinks and exquisite birch bark paintings, were swarmed with customers. The ICH exhibition corridor vividly showcased the unique charm of local handicrafts from Heilongjiang Province. Amidst waves of laughter and cheer, the traditional Dragon Boat Festival and the ancient holy water culture blended seamlessly, depicting a vivid picture of northern border customs themed “Holy water nourishes all things; culture nurtures the human heart”.
