The second Oh! Castle Festival in Topu commenced on July 11 in Haimen, Nantong. [Photo provided to nantong.gov.cn]

The second Oh! Castle Festival in Topu began on July 11, attracting over 100 global artists to Haimen district, Nantong, Jiangsu province, where they commenced a splendid arts and cultural celebration.

Upon arriving in Haimen, artists began their exploration of the Qinglong Port 1806 Scenic Area, walking along a timeline corridor marked by milestones that highlight Qinglong Port's industrial history and the patriotic contributions of ZhangJian (1853-1926), a notable industrialist and educator in modern China from Nantong.

Waves lapped against the riverbank as light, joyful melodies played. Attendees enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere — watching the Yangtze River, chatting, or taking photos of memorable moments.

The artists explore the Qinglong Port 1806 Scenic Area in Haimen. [Photo provided to nantong.gov.cn]

Armenian artist Artashes enthusiastically shared: "Since school days, I've heard countless tales of the Yangtze River. Today, I'm thrilled to see this majestic river in person. This is my second time attending the Topu art festival, and we will debut a new play, Gulliver's Travels."

At the Kaily Embroidery Gallery, they were mesmerized by a masterpiece inspired by the classical painting A Thousand Miles of Rivers and Mountains. The embroidery combined Shen Embroidery techniques with shimmering gold and silver threads, bringing ancient landscapes to life with detailed craftsmanship.

Iranian performer Parisa practiced Shen embroidery under the guidance, shared: "This is a unique Chinese tradition. I love experiencing such singular artistry — it's priceless."

At Yisheng Cultural Expo Park, they watched the process of creating the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item Yisheng Wine and sampled its authentic flavor. Nearby, a pottery workshop buzzed as participants shaped clay vessels. Meanwhile, at calligraphy stations, artists traced brushstrokes to write their names in Chinese characters.

The artists sample the authentic Yisheng Wine, a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage item dating back to 1894. [Photo provided to nantong.gov.cn]

From July 11 to 20, the second Oh! Castle Festival in Topu will turn Haimen into a global art hub, where over 150 performances from 11 countries and regions spark creativity and take audiences on an international theatrical journey.