Liaocheng Municipal People’s Government
LIAOCHENG, China, Oct. 23, 2025 — On October 18, the 17th Jiangbei Watertown • Pearl of Two Rivers (Liaocheng) Gourd Culture Art Festival commenced in Liaocheng, Shandong, a historic water town in China. Hosted by the Liaocheng Municipal People’s Government under the theme “Bringing Fortune and Prosperity Home,” the three-day event integrated commercial sales, competitions, exhibitions, and industrial production, drawing over 7,800 attendees, including gourd merchants, cultivators, collectors, and artists.
The opening ceremony featured a gourd-themed promotional video and cultural performances. Awards were presented to the winners of the Gourd Craft Competition, the Gourd Cultural and Creative Competition, and the Gourd Cultivation Skills Competition. Additionally, the festival included the release of Dongchangfu District’s gourd industry index, the unveiling of the festival mascot IP, and the signing of the Cooperative Agreement for Establishing the Dongchang Gourd Industry Research Center.
Throughout the event, a series of activities took place, such as a Dialogue on the High-Quality Development of the Gourd Industry, an Intangible Cultural Heritage Market, and various art performances. With the China Water Ancient Town serving as its main venue, the festival introduced new landmark attractions, including the large-scale “Guangyue Blessing Gourd” sculpture, dual north-south and intercity tourist routes, and limited-edition “Gourd Passports,” offering visitors a rich and diverse cultural tourism experience.
Dongchang gourd carving, recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage, has emerged as one of Liaocheng’s most distinctive industries. Dongchangfu District now functions as China’s primary gourd trading hub, with over 5,000 local farming households cultivating more than 30,000 mu of gourds across over 100 varieties. This industry generates annual revenues of 2.6 billion yuan, solidifying its reputation as a “cultural and economic hallmark” for the region.
Source: Liaocheng Municipal People’s Government
CONTACT: Contact: Ms. Zhang, Tel: 86-10-63074558
