On March 20th, the millennium-old "Boluodan Temple Fair" kicked off at the Nanhai Temple in Huangpu District, Guangzhou. As the most splendid folk traditional temple fair in the Pearl River Delta region, this temple fair is annually celebrated from the 11th to the 13th day of the second lunar month, a tradition spanning over a thousand years.

Early in the morning, the Nanhai Temple was already bustling with crowds. Besides local residents of Guangzhou, tourists from afar also flocked there. The food market and the areas displaying the intangible cultural heritage crafts were filled with a dazzling array of offerings. The streets were adorned with colorful flags fluttering in the breeze, while red lanterns, oil paper umbrellas, and various exquisite lanterns were hung overhead, creating a festive atmosphere.

The food market of the "Boluodan Temple Fair" this year has attracted 110 vendors, displaying over 80 types of specialty foods. In addition to snacks from across China, Lingnan delicacies such as Jun'an Steamed Pork and Double Skin Milk were also prepared, offering citizens and visitors a delightful and enriching culinary experience.

As an important cultural component of the "Boluodan Temple Fair," Boluo Zong (a special sticky rice dumpling made for the occasion) and Boluo Chicken were particularly favored by citizens and tourists. It is reported that in preparation for the temple fair, over 60,000 Boluo Zong were made this year, with an expected sale of 20,000 on the first day alone.

The "Boluodan Temple Fair" is the oldest, grandest, and most influential millennium temple fair in Guangzhou, with a longstanding saying that goes, "Come to Boluo, find aWife-to-be." This year, continuing its tradition of fostering romantic relationships, the temple fair has organized a networking event for single youths. They dressed in Tang and Song dynasty costumes and explored the garden together, engaging in games to get to know each other andexperiencingtraditional folklore up close.

Beneath Zhangqiu Hill, a 300-year-old tree has become a popular tourist attraction for visitors to take photos. Many young men and women wrote down their wishes and hung them on the blessing wall, praying for their true love to become a lifelong partner.

Wei Chunxi, a representative of the youth networking event, participated in the activity dressed in Hanfu, a traditional dress of the Han Chinese people. She said, "The old saying, 'Come to Boluo, find aWife-to-be,'is more of a traditional auspicious wish. It represents people's pursuit and aspiration for a happy life."

During the "Boluodan Temple Fair," six cultural activities are held daily on the Intangible Cultural Heritage Square, including Cantonese opera, modern concerts, intangible cultural heritage performances, and storytelling sessions. These activities allow tourists from all over the world to experience the Maritime Silk Road culture.

“波罗诞”首日预计售出2万颗波罗粽

3月20日，广州黄埔“波罗诞”千年庙会在黄埔区南海神庙正式启动，作为广州乃至珠三角地区最盛大的民间传统庙会，波罗诞每年农历二月十一至十三举行，至今已延续了1000多年。

一大早，南海神庙已是人潮涌动，除了广州的本土居民，还不乏专程从外地赶来的游客。美食集市和非遗工艺品区琳琅满目。街面彩旗飘扬，红灯笼、油纸伞、各式精美花灯也高高悬挂着，一派喜庆景象。

今年黄埔“波罗诞”美食区吸引了110家商家参展，展出80多种特色美食，不仅覆盖全国各地的小吃，更精心准备了岭南美食，例如均安蒸猪、双皮奶等，供街坊市民逛吃体验。

作为“波罗诞”重要的文化组成部分，波罗粽、波罗鸡更是受到了市民游客的喜爱。据了解，为迎接“波罗诞”，今年该工作室共制作了超过6万颗波罗粽，首日预计售出2万颗。

“波罗诞”是广州最古老、最盛大、最具影响力的千年庙会，历来有“游波罗，娶老婆”的说法。今年，“波罗诞”庙会再续良缘佳话，策划了一场单身青年联谊交流活动。身着唐宋服的单身男女一起游园闯关，在游戏中认识彼此、建立情谊，亲身体验传统民俗。

位于章丘岗下300岁的海红豆树成为游客打卡热点，不少青年男女写下美好心愿挂于祈福墙上，祈求有情人终成眷属。

青年联谊代表魏纯茜穿着华美的汉服参与了青年联谊活动，她表示，“游波罗，娶老婆”更多的是一种传统的美好寓意，代表人们对幸福生活的追求和向往。

据悉，“波罗诞”期间，在非遗广场群众舞台每天设置有6场群众文化活动，涵盖粤剧、现代音乐会、非遗展演以及故事讲古等形式，让不远万里而来的海内外游客深度体验海丝文化。

文｜记者 卢佳圳 通讯员 徐洁芹
图｜记者 潘俊华 林清石
翻译｜史洋溢