On May 1st, the Baihu Mountain Fair in Haizhou District, Lianyungang City, opened under the theme “Golden Dragon Soars to the Sky, White Tiger Jumps and Shines.” With a 300-year-long history, this traditional folk fair gained an international dimension for the first time by featuring products and cultural performances from 20 countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. Domestic and foreign participants experienced both the traditional Chinese festival atmosphere and cultural exchanges from around the world. More than 200,000 people visited the fair on its first day.
Products such as rooibos tea from South Africa, Russian matryoshka dolls, and lapis lazuli from Afghanistan were displayed at the event, while the most popular attraction was the Xinjiang food section. A giant pot of traditional pilaf drew crowds, accompanied by local specialties like red dates and walnuts. Dancers from Xinjiang energized the stage with vibrant performances, immersing visitors in a multicultural experience. Live broadcasts from booths also helped Xinjiang fruits reach thousands online, generating over a thousand orders within just two hours.
With its roots in the Qing Dynasty, the Baihu Mountain Fair was held this year in a hybrid format combining an on-site market, online exhibitions, and digital trade, leveraging Lianyungang’s strategic location along the Belt and Road. Chen Yimin, one of the event organizers, expressed hopes of transforming the fair into an annual international cultural brand. Bringing together folk traditions and modern digital commerce, the fair opened a new chapter for cultural exchange and Silk Road connectivity in this eastern Chinese port city.