Fushan Fair's Annual Mountain Festival to Open, North-South Intangible Cultural Heritage to Compete on the Same Stage

Source: YMG

Reporter: Zou Chunxia

Correspondent:Zhang Hongtao

In May, Fushan is brimming with vibrant local flavor. The 2026 Fushan Fair Mountain Festival is scheduled to be held from May 16th to 18th at the Fushan Fair (No. 179 Qiquan Road), lasting for three days. Centered on intangible cultural heritage (ICH) folk performances, the event will also feature traditional markets, local cuisine, family-friendly games, and other sections, offering citizens and visitors a warm, down-to-earth cultural feast for early summer.

North-South ICH "Showdown"

Yingge Dance vs. Yangge Dance

The main highlight of this year's Mountain Festival is the first-ever on-stage competition between two national-level ICH representative items from the north and south. The Yingge Dance from Chaozhou-Shantou, Guangdong, and the local Haiyang Yangge Dance from Shandong will take turns performing, creating a spectacular "blast" of culture.

At 8:30 a.m. on May 16th, the opening ceremony will be held at the main entrance square of the fair. The event will kick off with a majestic gong and drum performance, followed by a parade of the Chaozhou-Shantou Yingge Dance, featuring a rhythmic beat and energetic dance moves, marking the start of three days of celebration.

According to the schedule, at 3:00 p.m. on May 16th, the Yingge Dance will interact on the same stage with the Shanxi Waist Drum Dance and the Northeast Yangge Dance across the fairgrounds. At 7:00 p.m. that evening, a spectacular performance of the Haiyang Yangge Dance will take place. On May 17th, a full day of diverse folk performances will be held, including a fun parade on traditional stilts, retro 80s/90s Hong Kong-style dance, and a luminous dragon and lion dance show. The combination of tradition and trendy elements will recreate the lively scenes of this century-old mountain festival.

A Century-Old Fair with a Wealth of Goods

Four Zones Recreate the Atmosphere of a Traditional Market

As one of Yantai's oldest rural markets, the Fushan Fair retains a strong local character during the Mountain Festival.

Four special commercial zones will be set up on-site:

ICH Handicraft Zone: Local ICH items such as Jiaodong flower steamed buns, folk paper-cutting, handmade straw weaving, Fushan handmade sand pots, traditional carved molds, wood carving, and fabric art will be showcased, allowing citizens to experience the craftsmanship of Jiaodong artisans up close.

Fushan Specialty Agricultural Zone: Local, authentic, and affordable native products will be available, including Yantai apples, Fushan cherries, chestnuts, wild mountain vegetables, grains, dried seafood, and fried meat crisps.

Traditional Farmers' Market Zone: A wide range of daily necessities will be offered, including fresh produce, meat, eggs, milk, poultry, household goods, agricultural tools and supplies, clothing, and footwear, preserving the most authentic market experience.

Trendy Internet Celebrity Zone: New, fashionable products such as cultural and creative goods, niche accessories, trendy toys, and fresh flowers and plants will also be featured, with some vendors engaging in live-streaming sales to attract a younger audience.

Taste Flavors from North and South in One Place

Traditional Favorites and Internet-Famous Snacks Share the Spotlight

Food is an essential part of the Mountain Festival. The event will feature two main food sections: "Fushan Traditional Flavors" and "North-South Internet-Famous Snacks."

The Fushan Traditional Flavors section will recreate classic Jiaodong tastes: fair-style fried dough (Mianyu), freshly baked pancakes, special fried meat, meat crisps, various pork offal, tofu pudding, fried dough sticks, roasted melon seeds, and handmade candied hawthorn sticks — aromas that awaken local taste memories.

The North-South Internet-Famous Snacks section will gather popular varieties from across the country, including grilled squid, stinky tofu, takoyaki, grilled gluten, handmade sugar paintings, cotton candy, and specialty cold drinks and desserts, catering to the preferences of different age groups.

The event organizer stated that the 2026 Fushan Fair Mountain Festival aims to revitalize the century-old market through the deep integration of ICH performances, traditional goods, authentic cuisine, and classic entertainment, adding a rich touch of human warmth to the lives of Yantai citizens.