The dazzling nightscape and rich performances of the Tangcheng Scenic Area, Xiangyang, Hubei Province, attract numerous visitors. (Photo by Yang Dong, journalist)

Visitors watch performances at the OCT FABLAND, Xiangyang, Hubei Province. (Photo by Yang Dong, journalist, and Liu Xining, correspondent)

In Tangcheng, Xiangyang, Hubei Province, women dressed in Hanfu parade and perform as the “Twelve Flower Goddesses.” (Photo by Yang Dong, journalist)

Visitors experience the “Ark Adventure” at the OCT FABLAND. (Photo by Yang Dong, journalist, and Liu Xining, correspondent)

The Second Pear Blossom Cultural and Art Festival opens in Xiawan Village, Zhuji Town, Xiangzhou District, Xiangyang, Hubei Province, where visitors enjoy a grand banquet for over a thousand guests. (Photo by Wang Hu and Zhang Xuefei, journalists)

Everywhere in Xiangyang, Hubei Province, spring bursts into full bloom—flowers flourish, branches sway in splendor, and mountains and rivers unfold into vibrant springtime paintings. (Photo by An Fubin, journalist, and Zeng Qinghong, correspondent)

By Peng Yiwei, journalist, and Xiang Changhai and Wang Haoyue, correspondents

During the Qingming Festival, spring in Xiangyang, Hubei Province, is at its peak. Beneath the Ancient City of Xiangyang, a river of clear water reflects fresh greenery; along the alleys of North Street, the hustle and bustle rises as crowds of visitors move about, their laughter filling the air. As night falls, the glowing lights of the OCT FABLAND and the song-and-dance performances of the Tangcheng illuminate this thousand-year-old city. From urban leisure to rural flower viewing, from daytime vibrancy to dazzling nights, Xiangyang, with its profound historical heritage and lively energy, presents visitors from all directions with an immersive spring panorama.

Strolling the Ancient City of Xiangyang:

Finding Spring Amid Lively Alleys

On April 5, the second day of the Qingming Festival, bright sunshine fueled people’s enthusiasm for travel. The Ancient City of Xiangyang was packed with crowds. Some visitors strolled along the riverside, admiring the picturesque spring scenery where green waters encircle the Ancient City of Xiangyang; others wandered along North Street, rich with local delicacies, savoring Xiangyang’s lively atmosphere through its cuisine.

Zhou Zhou from Suizhou, Hubei Province, traveled with her daughter from Changmen Park to Xiangyang Park. The towering Ancient City, shaded trees, shimmering lake waters, and drifting boats formed a vivid spring outing scene. “The last time I rowed a boat in Xiangyang Park was twenty years ago when I visited a classmate,” she said. After waiting about half an hour, they finally boarded a pedal boat. As they pedaled forward, the boat cut through the breeze, and time seemed to slow down, bringing a sense of relaxation.

North Street remained lively in holiday mode, with visitors speaking different accents from across China. From the Prince Zhaoming Tower, one could take in both the vibrant street life and the surging crowds below. Guanjia Lane, a sister street of North Street, was equally bustling. NPC (non-player character) performers in Three Kingdoms-themed costumes and young women wearing floral hairpins danced enthusiastically. Tourists took photos with the performers and interacted with them, capturing joyful holiday moments.

A Luminous Night Feast:

Light and Shadow Enchant Visitors

As night descends, the OCT FABLAND and the Tangcheng present another lively scene, their brilliant lights illuminating the evening.

At night, the OCT FABLAND reveals a different kind of beauty: a blue castle glows dreamlike under the lights; the roller coaster soars skyward; a carousel turns slowly to music; and a fierce “snow monster” lifts a carriage full of visitors high into the air…

Beyond thrilling rides, visitors can also enjoy close-up performances such as the “AI (Artificial Intelligence) Animal Fantasy Show” and the “Fantasy China-Chic Grand Parade.” A cyber-style “panda” interacts playfully with visitors, drawing laughter with its adorable gestures, while robotic ponies trot along charmingly, winning hearts. The newly upgraded “Fantasy China-Chic Grand Parade,” blending animal mascots with themed floats, becomes a moving spectacle in the night. During the Qingming Festival, the OCT FABLAND extends its hours to 10 p.m., further energizing the nighttime tourism market.

In Tangcheng, the night “flourishes” through music and dance as the night tour program “Flourishing Tangcheng Scenic Area: Dreaming of the Great Tang Dynasty, Vol. II” returns in an upgraded version. “Victory Ode of the Mingde Gate” resounds with thunderous drums as warriors line up to welcome guests; “Vermilion Bird‌ Displays National Prestige” showcases fluttering banners and the grandeur of the High Tang period; “‌Whirling Dance of the Western Regions” enchants with graceful movements and strong Western Region influences. The giant mythical sea creature (aoyu), which went viral during the Spring Festival, makes a comeback—its blue eyes gleaming and white whiskers swaying as it “swims” among Tang-style eaves, creating a dreamlike scene.

Seeking Blossoms in the Countryside:

Embracing Spring Through Hiking

During the Qingming Festival, late-blooming cherry blossoms, azaleas, and wisteria compete in full bloom. Vast seas of flowers attract visitors to rural areas, scenic mountain-water destinations, and urban green spaces to encounter the beauty of spring. Cultural mountains like the Xian Mountain and Lumen Mountain saw a surge in hiking enthusiasts, who experienced Xiangyang’s cultural charm while embracing nature.

At the Ancient Longzhong Scenic Area, lush greenery fills the landscape. Visitors stroll along mountain paths, watch the performance “Songs, Dances, Poems, and Paintings: Longzhong Dialogue” in front of a stone archway, relive the historical story of “Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage” at the Three Visits Hall, and engage face-to-face with NPC performers at the Zhuge Liang Thatched Cottage—stepping into a slowly unfolding landscape of history and art.

Outdoor enthusiast Guo Yi hiked the Xian Mountain with friends during the festival. “Spring is the most beautiful season here,” he said. “Fresh green trees, tender grass, and unknown wildflowers dot the landscape.” The mountain paths were filled with hikers heading toward the summit.

On the Lumen Mountain, many visitors enjoy both hiking and foraging for wild vegetables, rediscovering childhood pleasures. The scenic area maintains a relaxed and friendly management policy—except for bamboo shoots, other wild vegetables can be freely gathered—adding a touch of rustic charm to spring outings.

On Yuliangzhou Island, Xiangyang’s “green heart,” a camping trend has taken off. Tents and canopies “grow” across grassy fields and among flower beds. Children run and laugh around the tents, fully enjoying the spring breeze and sunshine.

During the Qingming Festival, Xiangyang responds to every imagination of spring with its blooming scenery, bustling streets, dazzling night tours, and fragrant countryside. From the leisurely pace beneath the Ancient City to the cyber revelry of the OCT FABLAND; from Tangcheng’s grand night spectacles to the tranquil nature of the Xian Mountain and Lumen Mountain—this is both a place of “poetry and distant dreams” for visitors and a “spring at the doorstep” for locals.

As travelers depart with albums full of smiling faces, lingering tastes, and warm memories, this thousand-year-old city once again proves that the most beautiful holiday is when people and the city journey toward each other in spring.