Dangyang, as a historic city, is well-known for being the major battlefield during the Three KingdomsPeriod (220A.D-280A.D). The Mausoleum of Guan Gong(the honorary title of Guan Gu), who is generallyacknowledged as the saint of warand themost loyal figure in Three Kingdom’s stories, is also located here. On November 26th, the 10thGuan Gong Cultural Tourism Festival themed “The History of Loyalty and Glory in Dangyang”isheld in Guan Gong Cultural Town, Dangyang City. Representatives from GuanGongTemples scattered all over theworld, GuanGong's descendants and thepeople from all walks of life gathertogether to worship GuanGong,feelingthe spirit of Guan Gong in the new era.

　　The Guan Gong Cultural Tourism Festival is co-sponsored by the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism and the People's Government of Yichang City. Yang Jun, deputy director of the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, deliversa speech. Wang Guobin, member of the Standing Committee of Yichang Municipal Committee and Minister of Publicity, announcesthe opening of the 10thGuan Gong Cultural Tourism Festival.Zhou Zhengying, the Vice Mayor hoststhe opening ceremony.

　　As thelocation of the soleGuanGong Mausoleum in the world being named according tothe Emperor's Mausoleum Regulations, Dangyang has occasionally hosted the Guan Gong worshippingceremoniesand become one of themost importantplaces to impart Guan Gong culture. In his speech, Yang Jun says that the Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism will actively support and guide the construction of important cultural and tourism projects related to the GuanGong Mausoleum in Dangyang, strengthen the overall planning, design and promotion of relevant projects aboutGuan Gong in the province, and effectively consolidate the foundation of theGuan Gong cultural andtourism industry, with thepurpose of improving the cultural carrying capacity of Guan Gong, promoting the integration of culture and tourism, and striving to create a first-class cultural tourism brand.

　　“Apart frombeingloyal to his countryand courageousenough to fight for its glory, Guan Gong is also a righteousand benevolentperson…”At 9:00 am, the opening ceremony officially kicks off as the flag slowly shows up on the stage accompanied by the chorus of children. After the agenda like the first tribute, second tribute and final tribute successively made by people of all circles at home and abroad, 300 representatives reverently chant Ode to Guan Gong-Saint of War in unison. It is then followed by many otherwonderful programs, including theJishan flower drum “Climb High and Look afar to commemorate Guan Gong”, thedrama “The Loyalty of Guan Gong”, themartial arts performance “Soul of Chinese Martial Arts”, thesouthern lion performance “Awaken Lion in theEast”, and thetheme song “World Hero”. All of these performances are demonstrations of Guan Gong’s patriotism, benevolenceand courage.

　　In 120 chapters of The Three Kingdoms, there are many stories taking place in Dangyang, which include:Zhao Zilong won a great victory in the Changbanpo battle, Zhang Yide broke Dangyang Bridge with a roar, and Guan Gong’s soul was manifested in Jade Spring Mountain…. As a famous historic and cultural city, Dangyang has successively held the 27th GuanGong MausoleumFair and the 9th GuanGong Cultural Tourism Festivalsince 1991.

　　It is understood that Dangyang City will take this Guan Gong Cultural Tourism Festival as an opportunity to fully explore its historical and cultural resources, focus on the integration of culture and tourism to constantly satisfy people’s needs for a better life through a batch of major cultural projectsand“Cultural Feast”. (Reporter Xiong Donghua; correspondents Wang Tao and Wang Yunqin)