During this year’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, Ganlushan Resort in Wuhan’s Huangpi District became the heartbeat of celebration — a destination where global creativity met traditional Chinese charm. Nearly 400,000 visitors flocked to the resort over the eight-day “Double Festival,” transforming it into a vibrant hub of cultural exchange, entertainment, and tourism vitality.
From October 1 onward, the Ganlushan International Street Art Festival set the tone with dazzling performances. Among the most talked-about was The Grand Magician, China’s first stilt-walking fantasy show created by the same visionary team behind the renowned Wuzhen Theatre Festival. Characters such as the white-robed wizard Harry, elven mage Rachel, and the dark-cloaked Heron roamed through the audience on towering stilts, weaving spellbinding stories that earned roaring applause.
“I’ve never seen a stilt performance from such a close distance before — it was simply breathtaking!” exclaimed Zhao Yuyi, a visitor from Jiangxi.
For performer Wang Pengcheng from Chengdu, who portrayed the white-robed wizard, the energy of Wuhan’s audiences stood out. “Every time I perform here, the enthusiasm is overwhelming,” he said. “Ganlushan’s scenery is stunning, and I can’t wait to explore nearby attractions like the Mulan area.”
Adding to the excitement, the interactive “African Drum Circle” created a rhythmic connection between cultures. Hundreds of participants joined in a collective drumming session, moving to the beat of vibrant African rhythms. Martin, a PhD student from Africa studying in Wuhan, captivated the crowd with his heartfelt rendition of I Love You, China, earning thunderous applause.
Running concurrently, the International Gourmet Market offered a culinary passport to the world with over 40 food stalls serving global delicacies. “Our Eastern European Kitchen booth has always been popular with young people in Wuhan,” said operator Zhang Qibiao. “Ganlushan is the perfect place to showcase our flavors to an even wider audience.”
The celebrations reached their peak on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival with the “Blessed Moon Bunny Lantern Festival.” Families and couples gathered under the glowing full moon, holding luminous rabbit-shaped lanterns, exchanging blessings, and taking photos to capture the festive warmth.
Beyond the festivities, Ganlushan’s various attractions enjoyed a major surge in visitors. The Ganlushan International Ski Resort, Central China’s largest indoor competition-grade facility, stood out as a magnet for sports lovers. National Snowboard Parallel Giant Slalom Team Head Coach Zorica Stanković praised the venue, calling it “one of the top three indoor ski resorts in China” and expressing optimism for Wuhan to host future international snow sports events.
Accommodation demand soared as well — all four of Ganlushan’s boutique hotels reported full occupancy for the first six days of the holiday. Among the guests, a local couple, Mr. Wang and Ms. Jiang, chose to move their wedding celebration from May Day to October 3 to coincide with the festive atmosphere, holding their ceremony at the newly opened Ganlushan Floral Hotel – Lanxue.
Developed by Wuhan Urban Construction Group, Ganlushan Resort stands as Central China’s first large-scale, ice-and-snow-themed cultural tourism complex. Since its opening, it has welcomed nearly 10 million visitors, embodying a model of “four-season, all-age, multi-experience” leisure tourism.
According to the Huangpi District Bureau of Culture and Tourism, the region is accelerating efforts to shape a world-class “Mulan Tourism” destination. As one of its key pillars, Ganlushan Resort will continue introducing innovative formats and cultural experiences, helping the “Mulan Tourism” brand reach both domestic and international audiences.
The celebrations aren’t over yet — from October 24 to 26, Ganlushan will host the International Snow Friends Festival, featuring interactive snow-themed activities, fun competitions, and lively parties for winter sports enthusiasts, ensuring the festive spirit continues well beyond the holidays.