Ningbo International Costume Festival
The costume industry of Ningbo, having a very long history, is the birthplace of the costume industry of China in modern history. The tailors of Fenghua of Ningbo, making the first Chinese Sun Yat-sen's uniform as well as the first western-style business suit in China, are thus called "the Tailors of Hong Bang". At present, the costume production of Ningbo holds nearly 12% that of the whole country covering a great deal of famous costume such as: Shanshan, Yager, Luomeng, Yixiu, Peaceful Bird, Peiluocheng and Bangbang etc which enjoy great prestige both at home and abroad.
In order to introduce and present thoroughly the long history and the strong cultural inside details of the costume industry of Ningbo, one-week Ningbo International Costume Festival is held annually in October in Ningbo since 1997. The Festival consists of a series of activities such as: Large-scale Theatrical Evening for the Opening Ceremony of the Festival, International Costume Fair, State Costume Design Competition, International Costume Academic Forum Exhibition of Famous Costume, Trade Activities, Travel and Gourmet Tour and so on. Through the festival, which accelerates the opening and developing steps of the economy of Ningbo especially that of the costume industry, Ningbo, an international tourist harbor, shows the world a highly opened figure as well as a prosperous future.
Time: Mid-October, lasting a week
Place: Ningbo City
Sponsors: People's Government of Ningbo and relevant departments
Reopening Fishing Festival of China
Shipu Harbor, a famous fishing harbor in China, belongs to Xiangshan County featuring the strong fishing industry. The fishermen here share a lot of unique customs such as: "Step on the Beach on March 3rd" and "Worshiping the Sea" etc, among which "Worshiping the Sea" is a kind of ceremony praying peace and harvest held by fishermen before going fishing on the sea. A few years ago, it was regulated by the state that during the period from July 15th to September 15th, fishing is forbidden in the East Sea area each year, which is called the "Stopping Fishing Period". When the "Stopping Fishing Period" ends, all kinds of local customs related with fishing are organized by the government to form the "Reopening Fishing Festival" Ceremony. During the period of the festival, all kinds of activities including the local theatrical performances, exhibitions, trade negotiations, islands and bays tour, stepping on the beach and sports competitions on the beach etc. will be held.
Aiming at strengthening the idea of developing and protecting the resources of the sea, the Reopening Fishing Festival of China, focusing on fishing light and fishing boats, has exerted a considerable influence both at home and abroad through the scenery of the sea as well as the customs of the fishing area.
Time: 14th September of each year, lasting one week.
Place: Shipu, Xiangshan County, Ningbo
Sponsor: People's Government of Xiangshan County, Tourist Bureau of Ningbo
Liangzhu Marriage Custom Festival of China
The love story of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, widely read with admiration in china, is one of the four major folk-tales in China. The leading characters-Liang Shangbo and Zhu Yingtai, also called as the "Oriental Romeo and Juliet" by the western people, have been regarded as the model for loyal and steadfast love. The Liang Shanbo Temple and the Liangzhu Tomb buried both Liang Shangzhu and Zhu Yingtai are built in Gaoqiao Liangzhu Cultural Park of Yinxian County in Ningbo, the birthplace of the love story of Liangzhu. There is an old saying in local place that if a couple want to love each other and rely on each other forever; they shall worship the Liang Shanbo Temple.
Aiming at enhancing and spreading the love, living and value view proposed by the Liangzhu custom, presenting the new culture of marriage customs and corresponding with Ningbo International Costume Festival, China Liangzhu Marriage Custom Festival is held annually by the People's Government of Yinxian County of Ningbo and the Tourist Bureau of Ningbo in the Liangzhu Cultural Park during the period from September 29th to October 3rd. The festival focuses on directly promoting the fame of Ningbo and enhancing the development of the tourist industry of Ningbo.
Liangzhu Marriage Custom Festival consists of activities below: (1) Opening Ceremony, namely, the Century Marriage Ceremony, which will invite 999 couples of all nations in China to join the classic and romantic century wedding ceremony; (2) "Love of the Butterfly" Large-scale Garden Party; (3) "Miss Butterfly" Competition and "Top Ten Couples" Competition of Ningbo; (4) Closure Ceremony, i.e. Large Theatrical Evening named "Best Wish to Tomorrow".
Time: September 29th to October 3rd each year.
Place: Liangzhu Cultural Park of Yinxian County, Ningbo
Sponsors: People's Government of Yinxian County, Tourist Bureau of Ningbo