The 'Crossing Tongji Bridge' folk event shines in Foshan during Lantern Festival. Every Lantern Festival, residents flock to the Tongji Bridge in Chancheng District, accompanying their elders and children to take part in the festivities.

Historically, on the sixteenth day of the first lunar month, Foshan locals, hand in hand with their elders and children, embark on the 'Crossing Tongji Bridge' tradition. 'Crossing Tongji Bridge will bring you no worries' has become a mantra, symbolizing that by walking through 'Tongji Bridge', one can rid themselves of troubles and worries.

The tradition of 'Crossing Tongji Bridge' continues to thrive today, with Foshan residents starting the walk as early as the fifteenth day of the lunar month. During the 2023 Lantern Festival, a staggering 880,000 individuals participated in 'Crossing Tongji Bridge', while over 34 million people tuned in to live streams. Participants in 'Crossing Tongji Bridge' have increasingly embraced creativity, donning traditional Hanfu or Qipao. For many, 'Crossing Tongji Bridge' serves as a platform to experience traditional culture, reunite with friends and family, and engage in corporate team-building activities.

This year the event is scheduled for February 23, 24, and 25 (the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth days of the first lunar month). During this period, traffic control measures will be implemented in the areas and roads involved. Residents are advised to check out this 'Crossing Tongji Bridge' guide, plan their travels in advance, and enjoy this amazing folklore.

This year, there are changes in the 'Crossing Tongji Bridge' routes, with the previous two routes expanding to four:

Route 1: Wenhua North Road (Zhaoxiang Intersection) - Wenhua North Road - Wenhua North Road (Tongji East Road Entrance) - Tongji East Road - Arcade Passage - Tongji Bridge - Jishi Square - Pulan No.1 Road (Tongji Road, Tonghua East Road, Tonghua East No.2 Road). (Total length 2.5 kilometers)

Route 2: Jihua Road (Fenjiang Road Intersection) - Jihua Road (Lingnan Avenue Entrance) - Lingnan Avenue - Tongji East Road - Arcade Passage - Tongji Bridge - Jishi Square - Pulan No.2 Road (Tongji Road, Tonghua East Road, Tonghua East No.2 Road). (Total length 2.9 kilometers)

Route 3: Weiguo Road (Fenjiang Road Intersection) - Weiguo Road - Pujun West Road (Pujun South Road Entrance) - Pujun South Road - Tongji East Road - Arcade Passage - Tongji Bridge - Jishi Square - Pulan No.2 Road (Tongji Road, Tonghua East Road, Tonghua East No.2 Road). (Total length 3.1 kilometers)

Route 4: Wenhua Middle Road (Jihua Tunnel Top Road Intersection) - Wenhua North Road - Wenhua North Road (Tongji East Road Entrance) - Tongji East Road - Arcade Passage - Tongji Bridge - Jishi Square - Pulan No.2 Road (Tongji Road, Tonghua East Road, Tonghua East No.2 Road). (Total length 2.3 kilometers)

Alternate Route: Jihua Road (South of Lingnan Avenue) - Wenhua Park (TV Tower Square) - Wenhua North Road - Tongji East Road - Arcade Passage - Tongji Bridge - Jishi Square - Pulan No.2 Road (Tongji Road, Tonghua East Road, Tonghua East No.2 Road).

This year, the duration of 'Crossing Tongji Bridge' has been extended compared to previous years, taking place on February 23rd, 24th, and 25th (the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth days of the first lunar month). Traffic control measures are as follows:

Starting from 7 p.m. on February 24th, the traffic police department will implement closed traffic control in the area east of Fenjiang Road (from Weiguo Road to Jihua Road), Weiguo Road, Pujun West Road, south of Pujun East Road, west of Chao'an Road, Jihua No.5 and No.6 Roads. Vehicles within this area will be statically controlled and prohibited from driving on the roads until the control measures are lifted.

Reporter | Serena

Revisor | Eddie, Lynn

Photo | Foshan News and Media Center