Ancient Town Becomes Open-Air Theater in Art-Digital Cultural Combo

A month-long cultural festival is turning Sijing Ancient Town in Shanghai's suburban Songjiang District into an open-air theater through June 28, blending traditional art and digital experiences.

A weekend light show "The Tale of Hundred Operas" will be projected onto the Anfang Pagoda from 6:30pm to 8pm, featuring imagery inspired by Peking Opera makeup, shadow puppetry and water-sleeve dance.

The festival also coincides with the Dragon Boat Festival on June 19, when the 4th Sijing Dragon Boat Race will take place, drawing 50 teams from across China.

There's a 22-day bazaar running in two phases from May 29 to June 7 and June 19 to June 28, highlighting Dragon Boat Festival traditions. The bazaar features seasonal foods, including zongzi (sticky rice dumplings), scented sachets and traditional pastries.

Two special exhibitions are featured as well.

"Voices of Shanghai" captures street sounds, folk opera and river life across the city, and includes Sijing's traditional gong-and-drum music. A separate shadow puppetry exhibition showcases century-old puppets, carving tools and ancient scripts, highlighting the craftsmanship behind the art form. Both exhibitions are free to the public.

If you go:

Date: May 29-June 28

Venue: Sijing Ancient Town, Songjiang District

How to get there: Take Metro Line 9 to the Sijing Station, and then a 15 to 30 minutes' walk from station; or take Songjiang Bus Route 47 directly.