Thousands roll up their sleeves and wade into muddy ponds to catch fish

Updated: Jan 28, 2026 By LI MUYUN and ZHU YOUFANG in Changsha chinadaily.com.cn Print

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An annual celebration known as the Gantang Festival, or "Drying Pond Festival", takes place in Gaoli village, Hengyang, Hunan province, on Monday. [Photo by Duan Wenjing/For chinadaily.com.cn]

The afternoon featured a bustling farmers' market offering local baijiu (Chinese spirit), free-range eggs, and cured meats, alongside interactive activities like picnics and community gardening at a nearby farm.

"The Gantang Festival is more than just a folk custom; it's a new pathway for rural vitalization," Zhou Gan, a local official, said.

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