HONG KONG — TVB travel-and-entertainment host Wong Cho-Lam and actor Alan Ng put their stamina, singing chops, and comedic timing to the test in the latest episode of “Friends on the Road,” airing tonight, as the duo immersed themselves in the indigenous culture of Nanning, Guangxi.
The pair explored two distinctly local traditions: the ancient Yao ethnic group’s courtship rituals and Nanning’s signature opera form, Yongju. What began as a cultural tour quickly turned into a series of laugh-out-loud challenges, with Ng at the center of an impromptu “marriage” that had him joking about quitting his day job.
In the Yao tribal village, Ng discovered that the community, which follows a matriarchal social structure, holds a unique criterion for prospective grooms: a man who cannot pound rice cakes with a heavy wooden mallet is deemed too weak to marry. Seizing the moment, Ng grabbed the long pestle and delivered an enthusiastic—if theatrical—performance, shouting, “Here I come, wife!” while hammering away.
But the trials didn’t end there. To be accepted as a Yao bridegroom, Ng had to pass two additional tests: singing and climbing a stilted wooden tower. Having trained in martial arts since childhood, Ng showcased his athleticism by leaping onto suspended rungs, displaying his abs and arm strength to win over the village women. His reward came in the form of a bracelet, symbolizing his new status as an “adopted” Yao son-in-law. True to form, Ng responded with a mock declaration: “TVB, I’m not renewing my contract!”—before quickly backpedaling with a playful apology.
Ng also took a turn at singing, performing a self-styled “mountain song” with humorous lyrics praising the beauty and sweetness of Yao women, while expressing his newfound desire to stay in Guangxi’s scenic countryside.
The fun escalated when Wong and Ng donned traditional Panyao attire for a gender-swapped parody of “Flirting Scholar,” a classic Chinese comedy. Standing in a line while Yao women made their pick, Ng was chosen and immediately thrust into a full wedding ceremony. The rituals included twelve formal bows, drinking a shared cup of tea, a long-table feast, and an intricate “Yao-style” wine-pouring rite—which proved to be the most challenging of the day.
Earlier in the episode, the pair attempted to learn Yongju, a local opera form recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. Despite Wong’s familiarity with Peking opera and Cantonese opera, he was visibly stumped by Yongju’s exaggerated facial expressions and stylized dialogue. Under the tutelage of Ning Jing, a master inheritor of the art, both celebrities struggled—Wong delivered lines with a comically pinched nose, while Ng slurred his words like a tipsy bar patron, punctuating the lesson with a yelp of “That hurts!”
The episode offers viewers a lighthearted glimpse into Guangxi’s rich cultural tapestry, from centuries-old theatrical traditions to the enduring customs of the Yao people. Beyond the laughs, it highlights the region’s efforts to preserve and share its heritage—an endeavor that, as the show demonstrates, can be as entertaining as it is educational.
“Friends on the Road” airs tonight on TVB.
