This year’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday transformed Ganlushan Resort in Wuhan’s Huangpi District into a vibrant center of culture, art, and celebration. Over the eight-day “Double Festival” period, the resort attracted nearly 400,000 visitors, creating an extraordinary experience that blended the richness of Chinese traditions with the excitement of global creativity — infusing Wuhan’s tourism scene with festive energy and international flair.
The celebrations kicked off on October 1 with the grand opening of the Ganlushan International Street Art Festival, turning the resort into a dazzling stage for music, color, and performance. The headline attraction, The Grand Magician — China’s first-ever stilt-walking fantasy show — was produced by the acclaimed creative team behind the Wuzhen Theatre Festival. Dressed as magical characters including the white-robed wizard Harry, the elven mage Rachel, and the shadowy Heron, performers roamed the streets on towering stilts, captivating audiences with breathtaking theatrics and enchanting storytelling.
“I’ve never seen anything this spectacular before — it was absolutely magical!” said Zhao Yuyi, a visitor from Jiangxi, her excitement echoing the joy of thousands who gathered to watch.
Wang Pengcheng, an actor from Chengdu who portrayed the white wizard, praised Wuhan’s lively audience. “The people here are full of warmth and energy,” he said. “Performing at Ganlushan, surrounded by such stunning scenery, feels truly special. I’m planning to visit the nearby Mulan scenic area once the festival ends.”
The African Drum Circle added even more rhythm and energy to the festivities, bringing together hundreds of participants in a “hundred-person drumming party.” The sound of synchronized beats filled the air, symbolizing cultural connection and joy. A standout moment came when Martin, an African PhD student in Wuhan, performed I Love You, China, moving the audience with his heartfelt rendition and earning a wave of applause.
The International Gourmet Market was another major highlight, offering visitors a “global food passport” with over 40 international food stalls. “Our Eastern European Kitchen booth has always been a favorite among young people in Wuhan,” said Zhang Qibiao, one of the vendors. “Ganlushan’s festival gives us an incredible opportunity to share our culture and cuisine with even more people.”
The holiday magic reached its peak on the Mid-Autumn Festival night during the Blessed Moon Bunny Lantern Festival. Families and couples strolled beneath the bright full moon holding glowing rabbit-shaped lanterns, exchanging smiles and warm wishes. The soft lights, laughter, and sense of unity captured the essence of the traditional festival — togetherness, joy, and gratitude.
Ganlushan’s attractions thrived throughout the holiday week, particularly the Ganlushan International Ski Resort, Central China’s largest indoor competition-grade ski venue. The facility drew sports lovers from across the country. Zorica Stanković, Head Coach of China’s National Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom Team, called it “one of the top three indoor ski resorts in China” and expressed hope that Wuhan could one day host international snow sports competitions.
Ganlushan’s four boutique hotels also saw full occupancy during the first six days of the holiday. Among the many memorable moments was the wedding of Mr. Wang and Ms. Jiang, who rescheduled their ceremony from May to October 3 to celebrate amid Ganlushan’s festive atmosphere. Their wedding at the newly opened Ganlushan Floral Hotel – Lanxue became a picture-perfect highlight of the resort’s celebrations.
Developed by Wuhan Urban Construction Group, Ganlushan Resort is Central China’s first large-scale, ice-and-snow-themed cultural tourism complex. Since its grand opening, it has welcomed nearly 10 million visitors, offering year-round attractions that combine recreation, entertainment, and cultural exploration for travelers of all ages.
According to the Huangpi District Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the district is rapidly advancing plans to create a world-class “Mulan Tourism” destination. As one of its three major pillars, Ganlushan continues to innovate with new events, experiences, and cultural formats that enhance Wuhan’s reputation as a premier tourism hub in China.
The festivities aren’t over yet — from October 24 to 26, Ganlushan will host the International Snow Friends Festival, featuring snow-themed games, interactive events, and winter parties designed for sports enthusiasts. With its fusion of tradition, innovation, and global energy, Ganlushan Resort has become a shining symbol of how modern China celebrates its heritage — proudly local, yet warmly open to the world.
