On March 1st, the first Cross-Strait Folk Culture and Sports Gathering will be held in Shanwei, Guangdong. Hundreds of compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Strait will gather in Shanwei, known as the "Hometown of Chinese Folk Culture and Arts," to participate in this grand cultural event.

The opening ceremony will take place at Xuanwu Mountain in Jiexi, Lufeng City. The scenic area is rich in historical relics, including ancient structures such as the Yuanshan Temple, Fuxing Pagoda, Ancient Stage, and the Four Beauties Pavilion. During the event, hundreds of people from both sides of the Strait will join the Yi Si Year of the Jiexi Ancient City procession to explore the historical and cultural heritage of Jiexi Ancient City.

Participants will also visit cultural venues such as the Cultural Center and the Museum in Shanwei City, where they can enjoy the "Southern Heroic Spirit" of Lufeng's Jiazi Yingge Dance, as well as experience traditional Lingnan intangible cultural heritage like Lufeng Shadow Puppetry, Jiazi Shell-carving, Lufeng Metal Sculpture, and Jiexi Wood Carving.

The worship of Mazu, Guan Yu, and Guanyin is a shared folk belief across the Taiwan Strait. During the event, participants will visit several sacred sites, including the Five-body Mazu Scenic Area in Dahu Town, Fengshan Barra Temple, Guan Di Temple, and Nanhai Guanyin Temple, to explore the deep cultural roots of these beliefs.

Mazu worship is a vital emotional bond between people on both sides of the Strait, and the world's only Five-body Mazu statue is located in Shanwei. The Five-Body Mazu statue at the Five-body Mazu Scenic Area in Dahu Town stands at an impressive 24.88 meters tall, representing five Mazu figures: Lin Mo Niang (the Great Mazu), Zheng Zu Xi, Zhuang Jing Yun, Lin Shu Xian, and Mo Mei. Their spirits of "Virtue, Charity, and Great Love" have become a shared belief among people across the Taiwan Strait.

The famous saying "Respect Confucius for culture, honor Guan Gong for martial valor" resonates deeply in the region. The Guandi Temple in Shanwei is a significant place for those from both sides of the Strait to trace their ancestral roots. The Sanyi Palace inside the temple commemorates the "Oath of the Peach Garden" between Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei from the "Three Kingdoms", symbolizing the traditional virtues of the Chinese people, benevolence, loyalty, and righteousness.

The Nanhai Guanyin Temple in Honghai Bay, Shanwei, is renowned for its thriving incense offerings, especially during the Spring Festival and on significant dates such as the 26th of the first lunar month, when Guanyin's treasury is opened, and the 19th day of the twelfth lunar month, when the treasury is closed. The temple also features a statue of Zheng Chenggong, fully armored and holding a sword, representing "Zheng Chenggongrecovered Taiwan".

Shanwei boasts the second-longest coastline in Guangdong, stretching 455 kilometers, and is the city with the most islands in Guangdong. During the event, attendees will enjoy the romantic island landscapes of Shanwei.

The Club Med Joyview, often referred to as the "Maldives of Guangdong," features a stunning 7-kilometer-long beach with crystal-clear waters, golden sand, an elegant white sailing hall, and a picturesque sunset, creating a dreamlike atmosphere.

Known as "Little Kenting," Honghai Bay in Shanwei is surrounded on three sides by the sea and is often called the "Best Bay for Watching Waves in China." The vast, azure sea and breathtaking views offer an idyllic setting that fulfills the dreams of those seeking "poetry and distant places."

At the easternmost tip of Zhelang Peninsula in Honghai Bay, an old, weathered building has been transformed into a romantic seaside café, "The Old Castle Café." Here, visitors can enjoy the sea view, sip coffee, bask in the sun, and let all their worries fade away.

Source: Lingnan On the Cloud

民俗大赏＋风景大片！这场两岸活动亮点抢先看！

3月1日，第一届海峡两岸民俗文体汇将在广东汕尾举办。数百名两岸同胞走进“中国民间文化艺术之乡”汕尾，共赴文化盛会。

本次活动开幕式在陆丰市碣石玄武山举行。玄武山旅游区文物古迹众多，汇聚了元山古寺、福星垒塔、古戏台、四美亭等古建筑。届时，数百名两岸同胞将参与乙巳碣石古卫城进城仪式，共同探寻碣石卫城的历史风烟。

活动中，两岸同胞还将前往汕尾市文化馆、汕尾市博物馆等文化场馆，一睹有“南国雄风”之称的陆丰甲子英歌舞，了解陆丰皮影戏、甲子贝雕、陆丰金属雕和碣石木雕等多项岭南非遗。

妈祖、关帝、观音是两岸一脉相承的民间信俗。在活动中，两岸同胞将走进大湖五身妈祖景区、凤山祖庙、关帝宫、南海观音寺等祈福胜地，共探文化根脉。

妈祖信仰是两岸同胞重要的情感纽带，而全球唯一的五身妈祖像就在汕尾。汕尾大湖五身妈祖景区内的五身妈祖像高达24.88米。五位妈祖分别是大妈祖林默娘、二妈祖郑祖禧、三妈祖庄静云、四妈祖林淑贤、五妈祖莫妹，她们“立德、行善、大爱”的精神成为两岸同胞心中共同的信仰。

“文拜孔子，武尊关公”。汕尾关帝庙是两岸同胞寻根谒祖的祈福圣地之一，其中的三义殿铭记了《三国演义》中刘备、关羽、张飞桃园三结义的千古佳话，象征着中华民族的传统美德——仁义、忠义、仗义。

位于汕尾红海湾的南海观音寺香火旺盛，尤其是每年春节和农历正月二十六观音开库、腊月十九的观音还库日，祈福者络绎不绝。景区内还有郑成功身披盔甲、手按宝剑的雕像，展示了郑成功收复台湾的历史场景。

汕尾拥有全省第二、长达455公里的海岸线，也是广东省海岛最多的地级市。在活动中，两岸同胞还将与汕尾的海岛风光来一次浪漫邂逅。

保利金町湾旅游度假区被誉为“广东的马尔代夫”，拥有极美7公里沙滩。清澈的海水，细腻的金色沙滩，优雅的白色风帆礼堂，变幻的落日晚霞，犹如梦幻之境。

汕尾的“小垦丁”红海湾三面环海，有“中国观浪第一湾”之称。辽阔碧海之上，美景如画，满足了人们对“诗和远方”的所有想象。

在红海湾遮浪半岛最东端，有一座饱经风霜、斑驳古朴的老楼被改造成了一间浪漫的海上咖啡馆——“古堡咖啡”。人们在这里赏海景、喝咖啡、晒太阳，烦恼一扫而空。

文｜记者 王瑜瑛
图｜网络
翻译｜肖凯欣
审校｜赵凡