SATV, Kathmandu Sept 21: 2025 — Monkey Mountain welcomed visitors with the grand opening of the 2025 Inaugural National Great Sage Culture and Arts Week and China Monkey Mountain Monkey King Contest on September 20 at the Wulongkou Scenic Area in Jiyuan. The event was jointly hosted by the Liu Xiaolingtong Office and the Jiyuan Cultural Tourism Investment Group, under the theme “China’s Monkey Mountain, Cultural Splendor in Jiyuan.”

The festival aims to deeply explore China’s outstanding traditional culture, upgrade Jiyuan’s cultural tourism brand, and inject fresh vitality into the “Travel in Henan, Understand China” campaign.

At the opening ceremony, spectacular monkey opera performances, martial arts and traditional dances thrilled audiences. Nearly 300 contestants from across China, all dressed as “Monkey Kings,” made a collective appearance, with countless visitors raising their phones to capture the moment. The arrival of Liu Xiaolingtong—nationally beloved as the iconic Sun Wukong—brought the atmosphere to a climax, with waves of applause and cheers filling the venue.

Cultural Dialogue: China’s Monkey Mountain and Nepal’s Monkey Temple

A highlight of the ceremony was a special video of China’s Monkey Mountain and Nepal’s Swayambhunath Monkey Temple. Despite being separated by thousands of miles and centuries of history, the two sites are bound by the spiritual symbolism of the monkey. This cross-cultural resonance has made both “Monkey Mountain” and the “Monkey Temple” enduring cultural symbols, representing shared spiritual values in China and Nepal. As one in the East and one in the West, the two mountains offered a vivid example of civilizations engaging in dialogue across space and time.

International Voices: Cultural Bridges Between China and Nepal

The event featured heartfelt video remarks from Nepali leaders and former diplomats:

Lila Mani Paudel, Former Nepali Ambassador to China, expressed gratitude to Liu Xiaolingtong for his contributions to cultural exchange, recalling his promotion of Nepali tourism at a 2018 Beijing event and added, “His dedication has created enduring cultural bridges that continue to inspire friendship between our nations.” 

Bishnu Pukar Shrestha, Former Nepali Ambassador to China, highlighted the deep historical and cultural ties between China and Nepal. He noted how the image of Sun Wukong, spread through television and radio, has captured the imagination of Nepali youth and deepened awareness of shared mythology. He emphasized that in China, the Monkey King symbolizes rebellion, justice, and strength, while in Nepal, monkeys are revered in Buddhism as guardians and associated with Hanuman in Hinduism. “The cultural connections between our two nations—embodied in the symbolism of the monkey—can further strengthen people-to-people ties and deepen exchanges at the cultural level,” he said.

Tanka Karki, Former Nepali Ambassador to China, reflected on the spiritual links of Manjushri Bodhisattva, believed to have traveled from Mount Wutai to Nepal. He recalled visits by Chinese monks Faxian and Xuanzang to sacred Buddhist sites in Nepal, including Lumbini, Ramagrama, and Kapilvastu. He also spoke warmly of his friend Liu Xiaolingtong, whose portrayal of Sun Wukong in Journey to the West has inspired millions worldwide. “Figures like him not only contribute to strengthening relations at the national level, but also expand friendly exchanges at the people-to-people level,” he said.

Subash Kaji Shrestha, First Deputy Mayor of Dhulikhel, emphasized that both the Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) and China’s Monkey Mountain embody more than 2,500 years of Buddhist wisdom. He noted that the symbolism of monkeys represents harmony between humanity, nature, and spirituality, and praised Liu Xiaolingtong for using his artistry to bring the peoples of China and Nepal closer together.

A Festival of Culture and Records

In his own speech, Liu Xiaolingtong said: “Whether it is the courage and perseverance of Sun Wukong, or the spirit of persistence embodied in the story of Yugong moving mountains, these are the essence of China’s traditional culture. I hope that while enjoying these performances, everyone can also feel and inherit this cultural strength.”

The ceremony also saw the unveiling of the Journey to the West Cultural Exchange Center, marking Jiyuan’s new step in cultural inheritance, research, and industry development.

Later, Liu Xiaolingtong donned his full Monkey King costume and joined nearly 300 “Monkey Kings” on Taodu Mountain in an attempt to set a Guinness World Record. With golden staffs in hand, the performers posed in classic Sun Wukong stances. After official verification, they successfully set the record for the “Largest Gathering of People Dressed as Sun Wukong.” Visitors erupted in cheers, with one tourist from Zhengzhou exclaiming, “Not only did I meet ‘Grandpa Liu Xiaolingtong,’ but I also witnessed a world record being made. This trip is unforgettable!”

A Week of Cultural Celebrations

The Great Sage Culture and Arts Week continues until September 27, featuring events such as “Martial Rhythms, Spirit of the Monkey – Intangible Cultural Heritage Night” and “Opera Highlights – Masters’ Night”, along with cultural promotion programs and campus activities to bring the spirit of the Monkey King to schools.

This unique celebration blends folklore, performance, and international dialogue, reaffirming Jiyuan’s role as a hub for cultural innovation and exchange—and demonstrating the global significance of the Monkey King as a bridge between civilizations.