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]

By 11:30 am, temporary stoves were steaming by the water's edge. Villagers showcased traditional skills, from cleaning the fish to hand-making fish balls and preparing Hengyang's local specialty — fish rice noodles.

"Catching a fish and cooking it right here — the freshness is unbeatable!" a tourist surnamed Li told local media. For local resident Liu Song, the event evoked cherished childhood memories of the festive season.

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