Kwai Chai Hong, the heritage alley in Kuala Lumpur Chinatown, presents its brand new installation titled ‘Moonlit Blossom’ (花月) to celebrate this Mid-Autumn Festival 2025 which falls on Oct 6.
The installation, which is inspired by Chinese folklore, transforms the laneway into a stage where heritage, technology and imagination collide in a dazzling immersive art experience.
Curated by Kwai Chai Hong co-founder Javier Chor, Moonlit Blossom celebrates the legendary Osmanthus Tree (桂花樹), forever entwined with the tale of Wu Gang (吳剛) – the woodcutter condemned to an eternity of futile attempts to cut down a self-healing Osmanthus tree.
Yet against his endless strong axe strikes, the Osmanthus tree stood unaffected, blooming in full pride like a poetic symbol of perseverance and beauty.
“The story of Wu Gang teaches us that true success and enlightenment demand dedication, sacrifices, and effort,” said Zeen Chang, co-founder of Kwai Chai Hong.
“Moonlit Blossom is a reminder to us to stay focused to creating meaningful and innovative experiences. We hope to preserve the fleeting beauty of the Osmanthus bloom and share meaningful Chinese folklore for generations to come,” added Chang.
Visitors entering Kwai Chai Hong will begin their journey through the Red Bridge (紅橋). As they wander through the alley, they will be enveloped by the glow of 100 floral-themed Chinese lanterns, with 48 gracefully suspended above the bridge.
At the end of the bridge, visitors are greeted by the soft glow of a magnificent moon suspended above the alley.
On its radiant surface, the tale of Wu Gang unfolds – a futile attempt to chopping down the self-healing Osmanthus Tree as the delicate blooms shed, swirled and dance across the moonlight.
One side of the moon captures this eternal toil, while the other reveals the graceful Chang’e (嫦娥) and the gentle Jade Rabbit (玉兔), timeless guardians of the moon’s celestial beauty.
In collaboration with award-winning creative digital storytelling studio Seeing Artelier, founder Wong Si Ying and Lead Motion Designer Chia Yuan Hong, reinterpret the myth through a striking fusion of art and technology.
Their work brings the laneway to life with augmented realityand digital design, inviting visitors to journey beyond their imagination, directly into the realm of Wu Gang.
Adding rhythm to the spectacle, performers from Drum Up JB, a mixed percussion ensemble, delivered a performance during a media preview on August 28, 2025, that transformed Wu Gang’s relentless chopping into a thunderous percussion act. Each beat echoed with intensity, a classic example of sheer tenacity, resilience and creativity.
The troupe will return to Kwai Chai Hong on September 7, 2025 at 6pm for a special performance dedicated to the public, offering a meaningful and memorable experience.
“Moonlit Blossom 花月 reflects our spirit at Kwai Chai Hong, where tradition and technology meet. Wu Gang’s axe shall never fell the Osmanthus Tree, and by sharing these timeless folklores, we hope to spread a piece of Chinese culture that came with lessons learned to spark appreciation across all communities,” added Chang.
The Moonlit Blossom art installation is open to the public from August 29 to October 12, 2025, from 9am to 12 midnight.
For more information, visit Kwai Chai Hong’s social media in FB or IG @kwaichaihong.
