Latest Events in Jiangsu(April Updated)

The play unfolds through chapters like "The Imperial Exam," "Writing the Book," and "Mountains and Rivers," chronicling Song Yingxing's journey after failing the imperial exams six times and his subsequent dedication to studying ancient Chinese technological crafts. Through a fusion of dance, imagery, and modern technology, the encyclopedia "The Exploitation of the Works of Nature" – which documents ancient Chinese science and craftsmanship – comes to life. Audiences are transported back over 300 years, witnessing how Song Yingxing retreated from turbulent times to write his masterpiece, using his book as a vessel to spread Chinese wisdom across the world.

"Steel and Glory": European Knights' Armor and Culture Exhibition is a spectacular historical feast showcasing the splendor and honor of medieval knights. The exhibition features exquisite knight armor, weapons, and related artworks, delving into the profound influence of chivalry on European culture. Visitors will have the opportunity to admire masterful craftsmanship and designs while learning about knightly virtues and their societal roles. Through interactive experiences and multimedia displays, the exhibition offers an immersive historical journey that reveals the legends and allure of the knightly era.

The Qinhuai Lantern Festival, also known as the Jinling Lantern Festival or the Confucius Temple Lantern Festival, is among the first national-level intangible cultural heritages. It enjoys the reputation of being "the number one lantern festival under heaven" and "Qinhuai lanterns are the best in China." It is the only large-scale comprehensive lantern festival in China that integrates lantern exhibitions, lantern events, and lantern markets. It is also the country's longest-running, most attended, and largest folk lantern festival. Information on the 40th Qinhuai Lantern Festival (Bailuzhou Main Venue) is as follows: Theme: Lanterns Illuminate the Glorious Night, Anchoring in Qinhuai Highlights: Large story-themed lantern display: "Five Horses Cross the River, One Turns into a Dragon"Seven themed zones including "Galloping Horses Embrace Spring", "Qinhuai Fireworks", "Children’s Dream of the Stars", and "Prosperous Dragon and Fish Dance"Representative lantern works from Foshan, Quanzhou, Xianju, Huangyuan, Suzhou, and more Lighting period: 2025.12.26 - 2026.5.5 Opening hours: Daytime — 10:00-16:00; Evening — 17:00-22:00 Venue: Nanjing Bailuzhou Park (Wudingmen Station of Metro Line 3)

The "Next Stop Jurassic" Future Vision XR Immersive Discovery Center is an exciting experience that combines virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies to provide visitors with an immersive adventure into the Jurassic era. Here, participants can interact with lifelike dinosaurs through advanced XR technology and explore the mystery and magnificence of the prehistoric world. The center is designed with multiple themed areas, allowing visitors to observe the living habits and ecological environments of various dinosaurs up close. Whether for a family outing or for scientific education, this discovery center provides a fun and educational experience that inspires interest in paleontology and awe of the natural world.

The "Next Stop Mars" Future Vision XR Immersive Exploration Center exhibition at Nanjing Jinling Tiandi Station utilizes a 100-square-meter large-scale spatial positioning and digital twin technology to bring Martian landscapes, space capsules, and sandstorms to life in a shopping mall. Wearing a lightweight headset, visitors can freely walk around, control a robotic arm, and drive a Mars rover, completing a complete "landing-research-return" mission in just 30 minutes. Nighttime time slot also feature limited-time "Mars Aurora" lighting. After the adventure, visitors can print a "Mars Residence Certificate" at the adjacent space-themed cafe, leaving behind a cool cosmic memory of their Jinling summer.

This year's lantern festival, themed "Unfettered Imagination and Fantastic Ideas," incorporates more technological elements and regional characteristics into traditional lantern art. Walking along Hehai East Road, the "Colorful Castle" lantern display is bathed in light, with pink and purple gradient light strips outlining a fairytale-like silhouette, complementing the nearby "Dinosaur Astronaut" lantern display and attracting many passersby to stop and take photos. Further along, the "Whale Dream Tunnel" is a sea of ​​blue lights, with a giant whale shark-shaped lantern hanging overhead. The streamlined body of the lantern slowly changes color according to its built-in program, as if transporting people into a deep-sea fantasy. In the core area of ​​Dino Water Town, "Unfettered Imagination" has revealed its magnificent form. A 35-meter-wide and 25-meter-high steampunk-style mechanical Pegasus stands in the street, its intricate gear structure clearly visible, its wings able to open and close, and the light and shadow effects perfectly matching the meaning of "striving posture." In front of Jinshui Bridge Square, the "Pegasus Breaking Dawn" light installation unfolds its 60-meter-long wings. The two-tone wallpapering technique gives the light fixture a textured look even under natural light. When illuminated, the Jinshui Bridge gate is enveloped by these shimmering wings, creating a dazzling spectacle. At the foot of the 120° East Longitude Observation Tower, the 100-meter-diameter "Ten Thousand Lights" light installation surrounds the tower, with 13 fantastical tree shadows symbolizing the prosperous development of Jiangsu's 13 prefecture-level cities. Not far away, the "Changbao" light installation innovatively adopts an integrated design of "light installation + commerce," showcasing the city's IP while providing an immersive consumer experience for the cultural and creative space at the base.

The English original musical "Shark in the Park" is an interactive musical specially designed for children aged 2–10 and families. Adapted from the globally bestselling picture book series by British creative genius Nick Sharratt, including "Shark in the Park," "Shark in the Dark," and "Shark in the Park on a Windy Day," this production was adapted by the UK's Nonsense Room Theatre and introduced by Little Rascals Children's Theatre. Since its premiere in 2025, it has received widespread acclaim and is hailed as a "suspenseful, humorous, and surprising" family-friendly theater experience.

"The Worse, the Happier" is an immersive, hilarious, and heartwarming comedy presented in Nanjing. Through a series of seemingly dire yet captivating events, the play invites viewers to experience the humor and warmth of life. The actors' vivid performances and witty dialogue transport the audience into a world of laughter and heartwarming moments. The plot is full of twists and turns, offering endless laughs and profound reflections on life. Whether it's laughter or tears, this play will touch the heart, making it an emotional journey not to be missed.

Dunhuang Art Exhibition: Exploring the Silk Road is an immersive cultural feast that blends digital technology with thousand-year-old murals. Through high-precision digital restoration technology, the exhibition brings the immovable murals and painted sculptures of Mogao Caves right before visitors' eyes. Guests can enter 1:1 replicas of classic caves like Cave 3 and Cave 45, or even use VR devices to explore special caves not open to the public, achieving a cross-temporal experience of "being in the city while seeing Dunhuang." The exhibition also displays over 80 national treasure-level artifacts including the Northern Liang Stone Pagoda and the Guiyijun Government Wine Account Records, alongside the global debut of digital restoration achievements from the Library Cave, systematically narrating how Silk Road civilizations converged to form Dunhuang - this "Gobi Desert pearl." Interactive zones allow visitors to personally experience mural copying on clay tablets, 3D-printed caisson ceilings, and listen to experts explain lapis lazuli pigments and their connection to Silk Road trade history.

The Suzhou stop is a key part of the nationwide tour of "Tigress." The show will deliver a dual experience of emotional release and intellectual stimulation through rapid-fire jokes, sharp insights, and heartwarming resonance. Whether you're a seasoned stand-up comedy fan or a first-time theatergoer, this performance will use its unique female narrative to show you another possibility of life through laughter.