China’s First National Great Sage Culture and Arts Week Opens in Jiyuan with Record-Breaking Monkey King Celebration
The inaugural National Great Sage Culture and Arts Week and China Monkey Mountain Monkey King Contest opened in grand style at the Wulongkou Scenic Area, bringing folklore, performance, and cross-cultural exchange to the forefront of Henan’s tourism scene.
Hosted by the Liu Xiaolingtong Office and the Jiyuan Cultural Tourism Investment Group under the theme “China’s Monkey Mountain, Cultural Splendor in Jiyuan,” the weeklong festival aims to spotlight China’s rich traditions, strengthen Jiyuan’s cultural tourism brand, and add momentum to the “Travel in Henan, Understand China” initiative.
Spectacular Opening
The opening ceremony featured vibrant monkey opera, martial arts displays, and traditional dances, mesmerizing thousands of visitors. Nearly 300 performers dressed as the legendary Monkey King Sun Wukong gathered on Taodu Mountain for a Guinness World Record attempt. Led by beloved actor Liu Xiaolingtong, famous for his iconic portrayal of Sun Wukong, the group successfully set the record for the “Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Sun Wukong,” delighting onlookers.
“Whether it is the courage and perseverance of Sun Wukong or the spirit of Yugong moving mountains, these are the essence of China’s traditional culture,” Liu said, encouraging audiences to carry forward this cultural strength.
China–Nepal Cultural Connection
A highlight of the event was a live video link between China’s Monkey Mountain and Nepal’s Swayambhunath Monkey Temple, underscoring shared spiritual symbolism across borders. Former Nepali ambassadors and cultural leaders sent recorded messages celebrating the deep historical and religious ties between the two countries.
Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, Nepal’s former ambassador to China, noted how Sun Wukong has inspired Nepali youth and mirrors Nepal’s own monkey-associated deities, including Hanuman. Tanka Karki reflected on ancient pilgrimages of Chinese monks Faxian and Xuanzang to sacred sites in Nepal, while praising Liu Xiaolingtong’s role in strengthening people-to-people exchanges.
Other speakers—including Lila Mani Paudel and Subash Kaji Shrestha—highlighted the 2,500 years of Buddhist wisdom shared by both nations and applauded Liu’s artistic contributions to cultural friendship.
Weeklong Festivities
Running through September 27, the festival features “Martial Rhythms, Spirit of the Monkey – Intangible Cultural Heritage Night,” “Opera Highlights, Masters’ Night,” school outreach programs, and the newly unveiled Journey to the West Cultural Exchange Center. These events aim to inspire younger generations and position Jiyuan as a dynamic hub of cultural innovation.
With its blend of folklore, record-setting spectacle, and international dialogue, the 2025 National Great Sage Culture and Arts Week demonstrates the enduring power of the Monkey King as a symbol of courage, creativity, and connection between civilizations.
