2nd Hanjiang festival kicks off in Jiamusi of China's Heilongjiang

People perform at the branch venue of Hanjiang festival in Fujin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 12, 2025. (Photo by Qu Yubao/Xinhua) 

The second Hanjiang festival kicked off in Jiamusi of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province on Saturday, with some branch venues established in Tongjiang City, Fuyuan City, Fujin City, Huachuan County, and Tangyuan County.

"Hanjiang" is an old custom in Jiamusi, of which local people shout to the river and pray for the new year's blessing and good harvest of fishing. In recent years, this tradition has evolved into a distinctive hallmark of the local cultural and tourism industry.

People take part in celebration events at the branch venue of Hanjiang festival in Fujin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 12, 2025. (Photo by Qu Yubao/Xinhua)

Actors perform a blessing ceremony of Hezhe ethnic group at the main venue of Hanjiang festival in Jiamusi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

An actor of Hezhe ethnic group shouts to "awaken" the river at the main venue of Hanjiang festival in Jiamusi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 12, 2025. (Photo by Zhu Zongqiang/Xinhua)

People shout to "awaken" the river at the main venue of Hanjiang festival in Jiamusi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Actors perform a blessing ceremony of Hezhe ethnic group at the main venue of Hanjiang festival in Jiamusi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 12, 2025. (Photo by Chen Zhiguo/Xinhua)

People perform at the main venue of Hanjiang festival in Jiamusi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

An actor of Hezhe ethnic group interacts with foreign tourists at the main venue of Hanjiang festival in Jiamusi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

Actors perform a blessing ceremony of Hezhe ethnic group at the main venue of Hanjiang festival in Jiamusi, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, April 12, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao)

An aerial drone photo taken on April 12, 2025 shows the branch venue of Hanjiang festival in Fujin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. (Photo by Qu Yubao/Xinhua)