Kathmandu, Sept 23: The 2025 Inaugural National Great Sage Culture and Arts Week and the China Monkey Mountain Monkey King Contest opened with grandeur on September 20 at the Wulongkou Scenic Area in Jiyuan.
According to organizers, the event, hosted jointly by the Liu Xiaolingtong Office and the Jiyuan Cultural Tourism Investment Group, was held under the theme: “China’s Monkey Mountain, Cultural Splendor in Jiyuan.”
The festival aims to explore China’s rich traditional culture, elevate Jiyuan’s cultural tourism brand, and inject fresh energy into the “Travel in Henan, Understand China” initiative.
Spectacular Opening Ceremony
The opening featured thrilling monkey opera performances, martial arts displays, and traditional dances, captivating the audience. Nearly 300 contestants from across China, all dressed as “Monkey Kings,” made a collective appearance, with countless visitors capturing the moment on their phones. The presence of Liu Xiaolingtong, nationally beloved as the iconic Sun Wukong, brought the ceremony to a climax amid cheers and applause.
Cross-Cultural Dialogue: China’s Monkey Mountain and Nepal’s Monkey Temple
A highlight of the event was a special video connection between China’s Monkey Mountain and Nepal’s Swayambhunath Monkey Temple. Though separated by thousands of miles and centuries of history, the two sites share the spiritual symbolism of the monkey. This cross-cultural resonance has made both “Monkey Mountain” and the “Monkey Temple” enduring cultural symbols in China and Nepal, representing shared spiritual values and offering a vivid example of civilizations engaging in dialogue across time and space.
International Voices: Bridging China and Nepal
The ceremony featured heartfelt video remarks from Nepali leaders and former diplomats:
Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, Former Nepali Ambassador to China, highlighted the historical and cultural ties between China and Nepal. He noted that the image of Sun Wukong, spread through television and radio, has captured the imagination of Nepali youth, deepening awareness of shared mythology. He emphasized that monkeys symbolize rebellion, justice, and strength in China, and are revered as guardians and associated with Hanuman in Nepal.
Tanka Karki, Former Nepali Ambassador to China, reflected on the spiritual links of Manjushri Bodhisattva and historical visits of Chinese monks Faxian and Xuanzang to sacred sites in Nepal, including Lumbini,Ramagrama and Kapilvastu. He also praised Liu Xiaolingtong, noting how his portrayal of Sun Wukong has inspired millions worldwide and strengthened both national and people-to-people exchanges.
Lila Mani Paudel, Former Nepali Ambassador to China, expressed gratitude to Liu Xiaolingtong for promoting Nepali tourism at a 2018 Beijing event and added, “His dedication has created enduring cultural bridges that continue to inspire friendship between our nations.”
Subash Kaji Shrestha, First Deputy Mayor of Dhulikhel, noted that both the Swayambhunath Stupa and China’s Monkey Mountain embody over 2,500 years of Buddhist wisdom, with the monkey symbolizing harmony between humanity, nature, and spirituality. He praised Liu Xiaolingtong for using his artistry to bring the peoples of China and Nepal closer together.
Cultural Celebration and World Record
In his speech, Liu Xiaolingtong said: “Whether it is the courage and perseverance of Sun Wukong, or the spirit of persistence embodied in the story of Yugong moving mountains, these are the essence of China’s traditional culture. I hope that while enjoying these performances, everyone can also feel and inherit this cultural strength.”
The ceremony also witnessed the unveiling of the Journey to the West Cultural Exchange Center, marking a new step for Jiyuan in cultural inheritance, research, and industry development. Later, Liu Xiaolingtong donned his full Monkey King costume and joined nearly 300 “Monkey Kings” on Taodu Mountain to set a Guinness World Record. With golden staffs in hand, participants posed in classic Sun Wukong stances.
The record for the “Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Sun Wukong” was successfully set, delighting visitors. One tourist from Zhengzhou said, “Not only did I meet ‘Grandpa Liu Xiaolingtong,’ but I also witnessed a world record being made. This trip is unforgettable!”
Weeklong Cultural Festivities
The Great Sage Culture and Arts Week continues until September 27, featuring programs such as “Martial Rhythms, Spirit of the Monkey – Intangible Cultural Heritage Night” and “Opera Highlights – Masters’ Night”, along with cultural promotion and school activities to bring the spirit of the Monkey King to new generations.
This unique festival combines folklore, performance, and international dialogue, reaffirming Jiyuan’s role as a hub of cultural innovation and exchange, and demonstrating the global significance of the Monkey King as a bridge between
civilizations. #China #monkey #festival
