'Twelve Flower Gods' Take Center Stage at Longhua Temple Fair

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: Expect to encounter the Twelve Flower Gods at the temple fair.

The 2026 Shanghai Longhua Temple Fair opened today at Longhua Square in Xuhui District, blending time-honored intangible cultural heritage, vibrant floral-themed activities and immersive traditional Chinese performances for tourists from home and abroad.

The gala, which dates back to the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907), is Shanghai's largest temple fair. Held around the third day of the third lunar month each year when peach blossoms bloom in full splendor in the Longhua area, it draws crowds to experience folk customs and admire spring flowers.

This year's edition revolves around the "Twelve Flower Gods," presenting a comprehensive cultural feast featuring one main fair venue, two themed bazaars, three performance stages, more than 70 booths, 12 flower god check-in spots, 85 shows, 12 parades and 35 ICH experience sessions.

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: A traditional show is staged at Longhua Square.

On Yinxing Avenue, demonstrations of more than 10 intangible cultural heritage skills such as pankou (buttons on cheongsam), Song-style brocade, lantern art and traditional lianhuanhua (pocket-sized comic books) creation, are featured.

Across the street on Houma Road and Longhuahui, more than 50 booths have been set up, covering floral-themed lifestyle, beauty, fragrance, food and utensils. New Chinese-style designs inspired by the Twelve Flower Gods run through the entire block, creating a picturesque flower-filled strolling experience.

Making its national premiere at the fair is the immersive interactive drama "Walking with Flower Gods." The show, featuring flower god parades, live-action performances and interactive garden tours, integrates traditional folk customs with floral festival elegance. Visitors are invited to accomplish different tasks and interact with the "Flower Gods."

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: A foreign visitor poses at the fair.

Credit: Ti Gong

Caption: The temple fair draws big crowds on the opening day.

Cultural heritage inheritors from Shanghai will host on-site workshops at two activity zones for six consecutive days, allowing participants to immerse themselves in heritage skills and Song Dynasty (960-1279) culture.

From May 2 to 5, three themed events focused on Song Dynasty elegance, traditional string music and famous porcelain appreciation will be held.

Peach blossom dragon parades, Flower Gods parades, pop-up shows and sizhu (string and wind music) performances are also scheduled. The parade routes connect Longhua Square, Houma Road and Longhuahui.