Shanghai's Longhua Hui, a cultural and commercial complex in Xuhui district, celebrated its second anniversary on Sept 19 with a lively autumn festival showcasing ethnic culture and traditional crafts.

At the heart of the festivities is a Tibetan-style market, jointly presented by Longhua Hui and Nerhi, a lifestyle brand based in Lhasa, Xizang autonomous region. More than 20 original craft and design brands from Xizang and other autonomous regions have set up stalls, offering visitors a window into diverse traditions.

Highlights include Shardaa's fusion of Tibetan home decor with modern aesthetics, hands-on experiences crafting Tibetan bead bracelets, folk printmaking activities for families, and creative items inspired by alpine meadows. Products such as yak milk soap and butter lip balm from the Sanjiangyuan area in Qinghai province bring a touch of the plateau to Shanghai.

Beyond shopping, the festival offers immersive cultural experiences. Visitors can craft fragrance tablets using highland plants, make pottery candleholders, or weave coasters using traditional techniques from the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. Each creation becomes a personal keepsake, connecting ancient techniques with modern life.

Performances keep visitors entertained throughout the day. Traditional Tibetan Opera, listed as a national intangible cultural heritage, is staged alongside a stilt-walking parade play. A meditation session featuring handpans and singing bowls creates a moment of calm, while an ethnic fashion show blends traditional attire with contemporary Chinese design.

The festival also introduces Visitors from Snow Mountain, a multimedia exhibition that transforms the venue into a fantastical snow-covered world, giving guests the feeling of stepping straight into a fairytale.

When: Sept 19 to 21 & Oct 1 to 8, 11 am to 8 pm

Where: No 2778 Longhua Road, Xuhui district

Sources: Shanghai Observer, official WeChat accounts of the Shanghai Xuhui Media Center at "xuhuifabu" and Longhua Hui