Diagnosed as a “Song Wave Enthusiast,” Reborn as a Song Dynasty Food Courier... Traveling through a millennium of Song elegance, visitors discovered fresh delights in China-chic traditions. During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, the three-day “Song Wave Fantasy Journey · Ruiyu Aesthetic Life Festival” grandly commenced at Phase I of Dongguan Sign Launch Zone. This cultural extravaganza, jointly hosted by multiple partners, seamlessly blended Song Dynasty aesthetics with modern trends, offering citizens and tourists an immersive time-traveling escape into the “Song Wave era.”
The event meticulously crafted four core zones to showcase the allure of Song Dynasty aesthetics in all dimensions. At the Ruiyi · Song Charm Bazaar—a vibrant aesthetic market—neo-Chinese chic stalls flourished. A stunning array of gourmet delicacies, creative cultural products, and diverse offerings recreated the bustling street scenes of ancient Bianjing (Kaifeng), with snaking queues forming before many stalls. In the Ruiyi · China-Chic Music Space, impassioned performances by folk-rock bands collided traditional instruments with modern rhythms, birthing a unique fusion of contemporary Chinese melodies that immersed audiences in a poetic reverie of Chinese-style romance.
The “Feathered Robe · Ancient Fun Games” zone, designed specifically for young audiences, became a sea of joy. Staff clad in Hanfu costumes guided visitors in participating in revived Song Dynasty pastimes like cuju (ancient football) and chuiwan (precursor to golf). Families and young people immersed themselves in the elegant leisure pursuits of Song Dynasty citizens amidst laughter and delight. Meanwhile, the neo-Chinese aesthetic installations at “Feathered Robe · Cloud Terrace of Leisure” ingeniously incorporated the artistic essence of the “Four Refined Arts of the Song Dynasty” (burning incense, tea brewing, flower arranging, and hanging scrolls). These captivating displays drew crowds of citizens—particularly young visitors—who eagerly photographed and shared their experiences across social media, garnering widespread attention.
At the event site, NPCs dressed in elaborate Song Dynasty-style costumes became the biggest crowd-pullers. They either strolled gracefully or transformed into “street vendors” performing juggling acts, interacting with visitors through fun games to win prizes—significantly enhancing the immersive experience of the event. Furthermore, themed lectures delivered by renowned figures from the cultural, artistic, and collecting communities added scholarly depth to the activities.
Co-hosted by the Dongguan Cultural Industry Development Association and Dongguan Ruiyu Cultural Development Co., Ltd., this lifestyle festival served not only as a cultural feast but also as a vibrant showcase of Dongguan’s efforts to promote the “creative transformation and innovative development” of traditional culture. Over three days, the event attracted numerous visitors and generated enthusiastic responses both online and offline, providing citizens—especially younger generations—with a high-quality platform to experience tradition and embrace “Guochao” (China-chic) culture. The organizers expressed their commitment to exploring more diverse formats in the future, allowing traditional culture to shine even more brilliantly.
