Lululemon Holds Yoga Event at Great Wall, Apologizes Over Drum

Lululemon issued a public apology after using a drum resembling a Japanese taiko drum during a promotional yoga event staged at the Great Wall of China at the end of May 2026. More than 2,000 people attended the festival, which also featured Chinese actor Zhu Yilong.

The company said the event was intended to celebrate Chinese culture but removed all related promotional content after online criticism.

Lululemon posted the apology on Weibo, addressing both Zhu Yilong and the public. “Due to limitations in our professional knowledge, we were unable to identify potential controversies,” the company stated. ” Percussionist Xu Yang published a video analyzing the instrument, which drew additional scrutiny.

Critics noted that the Chinese dagu, a broad category of traditional Chinese drums, was not used at the event. The Great Wall controversy follows earlier public-relations issues for Lululemon. 5% drop in its share price.

In 2024, the company pulled its “Breezethrough” leggings after customers mocked the design online, and founder Chip Wilson made comments criticizing the company’s DEI efforts. ” Philip described the backlash as “a warning shot, not a death blow” for Lululemon’s China business, noting the market remains one of the company’s fastest-growing regions.

Foreign brands operating in China often encounter cultural and political sensitivities that can quickly become flashpoints on social media.

Diplomatic tensions between China and Japan have also been running high in recent months.