Tourism festival memorializing Zhuge Liang opens in Nanyang

The plaque of Wolonggang hanging at the Wuhou Temple in Nanyang. [Photo/nydt.cn]

A ceremony commemorating Zhuge Liang, one of the greatest military strategists during the Three Kingdoms Period (AD 220-280), was held during a cultural tourism festival on Oct 7 at Wuhou Memorial Temple in the Wolonggang tourist attraction, Nanyang.

Thousands of people read Chu Shi Biao, an article written by Zhuge Liang and presented flower baskets to his statue. Su Dingkun, director of the department of culture, radio, film, TV, press and publication of Nanyang, spoke of how the festival aims to teach those present about Zhuge Liang's spirit of perseverance in adversity, struggle in difficulty, and intense devotion to his ideals.

The Zhuge Liang Cultural Tourism Festival has been held in Nanyang for many years. The event typically includes many activities such as the commemoration ceremony, hanging the plaque of Wolonggang, singing and dancing performances and a tourism commodity exhibition and sale.

Zhang Xiaogang, deputy curator of the Nanyang Museum, said that the aim of the 2018 Zhuge Liang Cultural Tourism Festival is to explore Nanyang's local culture and integrate its cultural resources. The event will promote the development of cultural tourism and related industries in the city through showcasing its long history and unique folk culture.

A prominent mandarin of the Shu Kingdom, Zhuge Liang was granted the title of "Marquis of Wu County (Wuxiang hou)" in his lifetime and the posthumous title of "Marquis of Loyalty and Martialness (Zhongwu hou)".

The temple of Zhuge Liang was named "Wuhou Temple" and was his retreat. Featured in the story Three Visits to the Hut, it has been respected by people throughout the dynasties. The tradition of worshipping Zhuge Liang dates back 1,784 years.