Monkey King competition to kick off in Jiyuan

More than 40 years after the classic TV series Journey to the West first beamed into China's living rooms — turning actor Zhang Jinlai into the face of the beloved Monkey King — his appearance on Thursday at the China National Botanical Garden, where the 1986 series once filmed, brought die-hard fans to tears.

A news conference for the 2026 National Great Sage Cultural Arts Week and China Monkey Mountain Monkey King Competition was held in Beijing on Thursday, announcing that the latest edition of the event will take place from May 19 to 25 at the Wulongkou Scenic Spot in Jiyuan, Henan province.

Noting that the scenic area is home to the world's northernmost wild macaque population, the 67-year-old Zhang, who began learning the traditional opera techniques of the Monkey King at age 6, said that every time he visits Jiyuan, it feels like returning to the hometown of the Monkey King.

According to the organizers, the event will feature performances, competitions and cultural exhibitions, with contestants competing in professional, amateur and youth categories through classic interpretation, stunt displays and creative adaptations. Artists from multiple traditional Chinese opera genres will also participate, showcasing the enduring vitality of Monkey King-themed performance art.

Li Huilin, deputy director of the standing committee of the Jiyuan people's congress, highlighted the broader cultural significance of the event. "We hope to revive collective memories of the classic and inspire greater attention to ecology, nature and traditional culture," Li said, adding that the initiative aims to promote the creative transformation and innovative development of Chinese cultural heritage.

The program also seeks to integrate culture and tourism by linking scenic sites across the country and launching new creative projects, including short dramas inspired by Journey to the West. A dedicated cultural venue and a themed creative industry park are also planned to extend the influence of the iconic series.