Actors playing the role of constables from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) are seen in Huigang village, Tonglu county, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]

A cultural and tourism festival featuring Xijie, a folk custom with a history of more than 300 years, opened in Huigang village, Tonglu county, East China's Zhejiang province on July 14.

Xijie is a traditional custom around Major Heat, the 12th solar term of the year, during which the outlets of large wells in Huigang village are blocked so that the mountain's spring water can overflow the ancient streets. Besides cleaning the streets, this act also helps lower the ground temperature.

The overflowing of the water is made possible due to the village's underground water system, which was built under the guidance of Liu Bowen, a statesman in the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), who lived in Huigang village in seclusion for three years.

The customary practice also carries the auspicious meaning of warding off disaster and bringing fortune and peace.

Visitors have fun in water flown out of wells in Huigang village, Tonglu county, East China's Zhejiang province. [Photo provided to ehangzhou.gov.cn]

Visitors can experience the traditional custom on the Huigang Ancient Street from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm on weekends during the festival period. They can also go on immersive tours in which professional actors take on roles such as constables, acrobats and touting stall vendors from the Song Dynasty. These actors will also interact with visitors, making them feel as if they have traveled back in time.

Other activities available during the festival include archery, Cuju (a ball-kicking game), duck fighting, guessing lantern riddles and other games that were popular in the Song Dynasty.

The recreation of certain scenes from hit costume dramas like A Dream of Splendor, which stars Liu Yifei and Chen Xiao, is also something visitors should not miss.

The festival, which is in its second edition this year, comes as part of local authorities' efforts to revive the ancient village through tourism development, said an official at the Fengchuan sub-district where Huigang village is located.