District puts on a holiday show to delight visitors

Gu Xianhui, Yu Junli and Shen Li

During the seven-day National Day holiday, eight scenic areas in Jiading received 310,000 visitors and top hot spots included Nanxiang Old Street with 120,000 visitors and Guyi Garden with 70,000 visitors.

Nanxiang’s Scenic Zone organized an orientation competition in the ancient town, a bonsai art show, Shanghai style puppet show and a Guyi Garden qipao show.

Shanghai Flower Arrangements Association also presented a live art show on October 2 and visitors enjoyed watching floral artists arrange their displays.

Guyi Garden had actors and actresses taking part in reenactments including calligrapher Dong Qichang writing on horizontal inscribed boards, the origin of techniques of making small steamed buns, the origin of Guyi Garden as an entertainment venue of Jiading Town’s God Temple, children as ancient apprentices cleaning courtyards, ancient bamboo carver Zhu Sansong presiding over the construction of Guyi Garden and carving works on pillars and corridors.

There were also stories about Li Yizhi’s renovation of Guyi Garden and writing an ode to the garden, and beautiful ladies playing the guqin, a plucked seven-string musical instrument played since ancient times. All the performances are related to periods in Jiading’s history.

A visitor surnamed Chen from Hongkou District in downtown Shanghai, who brought his family to the garden, said he was amazed by the show.

More than 200 pots of bonsai attracted the attention of flower fans. Zou Haihua, president of the district’s bonsai and stone appreciation association, said Jiading has a 450-year history in bonsai art, the most ancient bonsai art area of the whole municipality.

October 7’s orienteering contest attracted 30 teams of 180 participants.

The contest also involved some traditional games such as making steamed buns, rolling hoops, Chinese character relays and reciting ancient poems.

The Shanghai Puppet Troupe brought the classic puppet show “Little Red Army Soldier” to Nanxiang Cultural and Sports Center’s small theater on October 7, attracting more than 300 children and parents. This time, the puppets were bigger wooden rod puppets making the show, which also featured classic songs, even more amazing.

Young people participate in the orienteering contest held during the National Day holiday.

Two actors take part in the reenactment of an ancient Chinese story at Guyi Garden in Nanxiang Town.

A bonsai featured in Tanyuan Garden

Classic puppet show “Little Red Army Soldier”