STORY: Traditional horse racing held in ancient village in N China
SHOOTING TIME: Feb. 13, 2025
DATELINE: Feb. 14, 2025
LENGTH: 00:01:39
LOCATION: YANGQUAN, China
CATEGORY: CULTURE

SHOTLIST:
1. various of aerial view of the Xiadongzhai Village
2. various of the horse racing festival
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): MA ZHANFEI, Local cultural heritage official
4. various of the horse racing festival
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): JIN, Tourist
6. various of the horse racing festival

STORYLINE:

A horse racing festival was held on Thursday in Xiadongzhai Village, north China's Shanxi Province.

The festival, held on the 16th day of the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar in the village, is a Spring Festival custom with a history of over 1,800 years. It has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.

The tradition was said to have been established during the Eastern Han Dynasty (25-220) to commemorate messengers, who served as a valuable means of communication in ancient times, especially in times of war.
   
The event has taken root in Xiadongzhai, as the village has since ancient times been acting as an important commercial hub, while its location was also considered important in terms of military strategy.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Chinese): MA ZHANFEI, Local cultural heritage official
"The most exciting part of this event was that on the ancient street, which is about 4 meters wide, the audience stood in several layers, leaving only a very narrow passage. The horses raced past almost brushing against people's bodies, creating an incredibly intense visual impact and a thrilling physical sensation."

Nowadays, the horse racing festival has become a cultural tourism industry brand, integrating parades, folk performances, and fireworks shows held during the Spring Festival holiday.

SOUNDBITE 2 (Chinese): JIN, Tourist
"I'm from Taiyuan City of Shanxi Province. This event is incredibly exciting and thrilling. Just now, the horses raced past me like the wind, which was particularly exhilarating."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Yangquan, China.
(XHTV)