The 36th Hongtong Dahuaishu Ancestor Worship Ceremony and National Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition took place on April 5 at the Hongtong Dahuaishu Ancestor Memorial Garden in Linfen, Shanxi province, with descendants from 18 provinces and cities across China whose ancestors once left Hongtong Dahuaishu in Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and surname culture researchers gathering to honor their ancestors and celebrate shared heritage.

The ceremony is held in front of the main gate of the Ancestor Worship Hall. [Photo/Shanxi Daily]

The ceremony commenced with the firing of cannons and the opening of the main gate of the Ancestor Worship Hall. The traditional Dahuaishu ancestor worship rituals, a national intangible cultural heritage (ICH), were performed, offering attendees a profound visual and spiritual experience.

As the event's organizer, the Hongtong Dahuaishu Ancestor Memorial Garden has integrated ICH preservation into its daily services, establishing a genealogy consultation and exchange center and a digital ancestral hall, making it easier for descendants of the immigrants to trace their roots and exchange migration information.

The 2026 Hongtong Dahuaishu Ancestry Seeking Tourism Season, from March 28 to May 31, also features activities that promote cultural and tourism industry development to establish an internationally renowned root-tracing cultural tourism destination.

As part of the tourism season, the first Huaishuli Food Carnival and traditional opera performances are currently underway, with upcoming events including symphony concerts and intangible heritage exhibitions within the ancestor memorial garden.