Kinghelm Electronics Sales Director Chen Suwei
As the Xingquan Railway train slowly pulled into Shicheng Station, the scenery outside the window shifted from the dense skyline of bustling cities to the verdant mountains at the source of the Gan River. As someone from Shicheng who has spent many years away from home, I set out on my journey back for the 2026 Spring Festival in the Year of the Horse.
In just one year, the changes in my hometown were no longer simply about “a few new buildings” or “a few repaired roads.” Instead, from transportation to cityscape, from festive atmosphere to everyday life, Shicheng has undergone a comprehensive renewal. This trip home brought not only the warmth of reunion after a long absence, but also the surprise of seeing my hometown in a completely new light.
The Old Town Takes on a New Look, and the Ancient Streets Come Alive
After putting down my luggage, I couldn’t wait to walk toward the center of the county town. The most remarkable transformation over the past year is undoubtedly the Minyue Tongqu Cultural District, a project with a total investment of 1.2 billion RMB. The once slightly worn old streets have now transformed into the most eye-catching new landmark in Shicheng.
As night falls, Xuhua Gate, the ancient opera stage, and the riverside promenade all light up together. In the flowing lights, the charm of Hakka heritage blends perfectly with modern illumination. Inside the district, 100 uniformly designed temporary stalls line the streets neatly. From February 6 to March 7, the market remains open throughout the entire first lunar month, filling the air with festive energy.
Here, I saw the familiar Hakka lantern performances. Tea-basket lantern dancers moved gracefully through the ancient streets; in front of the old opera stage, the melodious tunes of the tea-picking opera captivated elderly spectators; and atop the city gate, a live performance of “throwing the embroidered ball to welcome a bride” ignited excitement among the crowd.
Hakka Heritage Blends Perfectly with Modern Light and Shadow
What surprised me most was the traditional papermaking workshop set up in the district. Craftsmen demonstrated the process of scooping pulp and drying paper on the spot, allowing children to experience the charm of intangible cultural heritage while having fun.
This year’s market is also very different from the past. Instead of loosely organized stalls, everything is standardized—wooden lattice structures, tiled eaves, clear signage, and transparent price tags. Visiting the market has become an enjoyable experience. Such “standardized” management not only improves the visitor experience but also marks a shift from short-term holiday stimulation toward sustainable festival economy operations.
A New Style of Festive Atmosphere: Tradition Meets Trend
The Spring Festival in Shicheng in 2026 carries a stronger festive spirit and offers more diverse ways to celebrate. Traditional Hakka customs are preserved in their authentic form, while many trendy elements have been added, allowing people of all ages to find their own joy.
On the first day of the Lunar New Year, my family and I visited the Tongtianzhai Scenic Area. It is no longer just a place for sightseeing—it has become a “trendy playground.” In front of Nanlu House, a calligraphy master freely wrote and gifted the Chinese character “Fu” and Spring Festival couplets, spreading New Year blessings through the fragrance of ink.
In the scenic area, a specially designed “cultural creative stamp booklet” became extremely popular. Visitors carried the booklet around, searching for eight horse-themed stamps and creating their own unique Year of the Horse souvenir album. At the playful “Pat the Horse” photo checkpoint, young people struck creative poses, hoping to capture the good fortune symbolized by the phrase “good luck arrives immediately.”
Great Fortune and Prosperity — I’m Waiting for You in Shicheng
This year, even our reunion dinner felt different. In the past, my mother would spend the entire day cooking in the kitchen. Now, a mix of Hakka pre-prepared dishes and local traditional cuisine has become popular.
Classic Hakka dishes such as lotus-seed pork rib soup and stir-fried wild scallion with cured pork were paired with prepared dishes like braised pork and fish balls. This combination saves time while preserving the familiar flavors of home.
After dinner, instead of sitting together watching television, our family took group photos, visited scenic areas, or experienced traditional Hakka round-table banquets in local guesthouses. The ways of celebrating reunion have become more flexible and diverse.
Spring Is Full of Promise — It’s the Time to Strive!
During the Spring Festival, I also returned to my old village. In recent years, Shicheng has been vigorously promoting the construction of beautiful countryside communities. Today’s villages are no longer associated with “dirty and messy” conditions but have become pleasant and thriving places to live and work.
The roads leading into the villages have been upgraded from cement to asphalt. Security infrastructure has been improved, and both buses and ride-hailing services now reach nearly every village, making visits to relatives incredibly convenient.
The village environment has also been completely renewed. Waste sorting stations can be found everywhere, and treated wastewater runs clear again. Many previously unused rural houses have been transformed into distinctive Hakka guesthouses. Around Bagua Nao and Tongtianzhai, accommodations are fully booked during the Spring Festival. Many returning residents even choose to stay in these guesthouses with their families, enjoying a unique reunion amid green mountains and clear waters.
On the sixth day of the Lunar New Year, the holiday was coming to an end, and I was about to return to Shenzhen. Standing on the platform of Shicheng Station and looking back at this rapidly developing town, I felt both reluctant to leave and deeply proud.
In 2026, the Xingquan Railway connects Shicheng more closely with the outside world. The general aviation airport project is accelerating, gradually forming an integrated transportation network of rail, road, and air. The Minyue Tongqu Cultural District has become a new benchmark for cultural tourism integration, while the vitality of all-region tourism continues to grow. Meanwhile, the vision of rural revitalization is unfolding steadily, bringing increasingly prosperous lives to local residents.
A New Shicheng — My Hometown
The changes in my hometown are visible, tangible, and deeply felt in the heart. Shicheng is no longer the underdeveloped county town it once was, but a vibrant and livable home full of opportunity.
No matter how far I travel, Shicheng will always remain the warmest place in my heart. I firmly believe that in the near future, this quiet Hakka town at the source of the Gan River will shine even brighter.
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City: Shenzhen
Country: China
Website: www.kinghelm.net
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To view the original version on ABNewswire visit: Chen Suwei of Kinghelm: A 2026 Year of the Horse Homecoming – Shicheng Has Changed
