The 2026 "Zui Jiangnan" Qingpu Cultural and Tourism Festival and autumn consumption season kicked off on Monday night in the second phase of Bailian Outlets Qingpu, inviting tourists to immerse themselves in the charming autumn water town scenery and leisure experiences across the district.
Running through October 28, the event deepens the integration of agriculture, culture, tourism, commerce, sports and exhibitions, rolling out nearly 100 special events and partnering with thousands of businesses.
Activities span ancient towns, lakeside zones, rural villages and shopping districts, as the district eyes China's top inbound tourist destination of ancient towns, a preferred short-break getaway for urban residents and a benchmark region for cross-industry integration.
Divided into four chapters, the opening ceremony performance combined digital light shows, original stage arts and immersive drama. It merged local intangible cultural heritage, ethnic customs from Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, guochao (China-chic) aesthetics and AIGC technology, showcasing Qingpu's 6,000-year civilization, water-town ecology, new town development and integrated industrial landscape.
The district is lit up as the sub-venue of the 3rd Shanghai International Light Festival.
A slate of tourism benefits was unveiled at the ceremony, including an upgraded Qingpu Pass and 12 million yuan (US$1.79 million) consumption vouchers for the autumn campaign.
The opening of the second phase of Bailian Outlets Qingpu marks the start of the "Shop Qingpu" autumn consumption season. Leveraging spillover benefits from the China International Import Expo and resources from the National Exhibition and Convention Center, Qingpu positions the area as a core weekend self-drive shopping destination for the Yangtze River Delta region.
Nighttime experiences take the center stage of the festival.
The "Artistic Charm of Jiangnan" immersive cultural season in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town brings Kunqu opera and hanfu experiences to the water town, turning traditional opera into an open-air living performance. The Qingpu venue for the 3rd Shanghai International Light Festival uses prismatic light installations to tell stories of the district, presenting a visual feast.
The "Artistic Charm of Jiangnan" immersive cultural season unfolds in Zhujiajiao Ancient Town, drawing foreign tourists.
Additional night programs include "Heritage Now Festival" at Panlong Xintiandi, autumn exploration in Jinze Ancient Town, light shows and night tours at Oriental Land and Kezhi Garden, and a terraced‑field concert, enabling visitors to stargaze and admire the moon amid rural poetic scenery.
Golden rice fields define Qingpu's rural autumn. The 18th Liantang Water Bamboo Festival features camping, night village tours and ancient town gatherings. The 7th Qingpu Autumn Food Festival in late October will highlight freshwater delicacies and seasonal harvest ingredients from Dianshan Lake.
Rural coffee celebrations, harvest carnivals and rice-themed festivals will also roll out across villages, encouraging visitors to explore countryside scenery and local produce.
Water sports and competitions energize Dianshan Lake this autumn. Highlights include the National Open Water Swimming Series, PWA Professional Windsurfers Invitational and Yangtze River Delta cycling challenge. New themed travel packages pair rowing experiences with ancient town visits and water sports with homestays.
People enjoy laid-back lifestyle at Panlong Xintiandi.
A sparkling night view of Qingpu
October also brings a packed calendar of concerts and performances in Qingpu. The 2026 Qingpu Waterfront Music Festival will bring two distinctive outdoor concerts to Shangda Central Park this National Day holiday, offering a blend of classic cinematic orchestral works and youthful choral performances.
Qingpu tianshange (folk songs sung in the field by farmers), a national intangible cultural heritage, will also be featured.
A rice paddy music festival in Cenbu Village and the Hanggai band concert in Dongshe Village are also scheduled.
Outdoor offerings take advantage of Qingpu's forests, lakes and ecological corridors. Two themed trails for day hikes and multi-day micro-vacations are launched. The Qingpu Autumn Rural Homestay Season offers discounted lodging packages paired with rice paddy sightseeing, wellness trips and outdoor sports. Star camping at Qingxi Country Park and the Hongqiao Flower Valley Flower Tourism Festival are also available, alongside ecological study tours and lakeside leisure activities.
Zhujiajiao Ancient Town
A cycling race in Qingpu
