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The Star
7 hours ago
- The Star
China Focus: China sees surge in culture-driven tourism
BEIJING, June 15 (Xinhua) -- A large-scale VR immersive experience, "The Recluse Dongpo," premiered at the Hainan Museum in May, attracting eager fans of the iconic Song Dynasty poet Su Shi to embark on a virtual journey through millennia of Chinese history. Wearing VR headsets, participants came face-to-face with a digital rendition of Su Shi (also known as Su Dongpo), who vividly recounted his dramatic life -- from political exile to literary legend -- in an interactive narrative. This fusion of technology and tradition exemplifies China's ongoing reinvention of cultural tourism. Alongside its iconic landscapes, the country is witnessing a surge in heritage-driven travel, where films, live performances, and immersive experiences spawn compelling new destinations. According to a recent China Tourism Academy survey, travelers show growing interest in cultural activities: Nearly 29.2 percent of respondents prioritize cultural experiences in their itineraries, while 78.3 percent express general enthusiasm for such engagements during trips. Cultural spaces can serve as new settings for tourism experiences and consumption, while tourism spaces can also function as new platforms for cultural display and dissemination, said Li Xinjian, executive dean of the Capital Institute of Culture and Tourism Development at Beijing International Studies University. In a major government reshuffle in 2018, China merged two government agencies to form a new ministry -- the Ministry of Culture and Tourism -- "to promote the integrated development of cultural undertakings, cultural industries, and tourism," according to an official document. The development of culture-driven tourism has since picked up speed. A 2023 high-level meeting on cultural development underscored the need to promote the "creative transformation and innovative development of China's fine traditional culture." Government at all levels have been tapping into local cultural resources to enhance tourist appeal and boost the economy. During the Dragon Boat Festival holiday from May 31 to June 2, the city of Beijing held more than 1,700 cultural tourism events, including dragon boat carnivals, intangible cultural heritage markets, and Hanfu (traditional Chinese attire) workshops. The Chinese capital recorded 8.21 million tourist visits during the period, up 5.4 percent year on year. It generated 10.77 billion yuan (about 1.49 billion U.S. dollars) in tourism revenue. Traditional festivals proved to be high seasons for travelers. This year, during the first Spring Festival after it was inscribed on the UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list, travelers flocked to temple fairs, dragon dance performances, and intangible cultural heritage experiences to celebrate an authentic Chinese New Year. The 2025 Aranya Theater Festival, which will open in the coastal city of Qinhuangdao in north China's Hebei Province, will stage 29 theatrical productions from 12 countries. During the festival, cultural activities such as art exhibitions and workshops will also be held in the coastal resort of Aranya. The 2024 edition of the festival received about 164,000 visitors, including foreign travelers. With the improvement of people's living standards and increased opportunities for travel, there is a growing demand for cultural experiences during tourism activities, and participation takes diverse forms, said Dai Bin, president of the China Tourism Academy. Museums, historical cities, ancient towns, cultural districts, live-action shows, concerts, and music festivals have become major attractions in numerous tourist destinations, Dai added. A government initiative on boosting cultural and tourism consumption launched earlier this year proposed specific measures, such as encouraging public cultural institutions to actively develop cultural experiences, arts education services, and other offerings, enriching the supply of cultural and entertainment products, and allowing local governments to allocate special bond funds to support cultural and tourism projects. According to Dai, the integrated development of culture and tourism will be a focus for boosting the tourism sector during China's 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030). Efforts will be made to promote the integration of cultural industries and tourism supply to create more new cultural experience venues and novel tourism consumption settings for visitors, he added.
Korea Herald
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Experience the Beauty of Intangible Cultural Heritage: 2025 "Chinese Hanfu Month - Celestial Craftsmanship and Heavenly Garments" Opens at the China National Silk Museum
HANGZHOU, China, May 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2025 "Chinese Hanfu Month - Celestial Craftsmanship and Heavenly Garments" launched its opening series at China National Silk Museum on May 10-11, highlighting the profound legacy of Hanfu culture and the ingenuity of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) craftsmanship through its thematic focus on traditional textile artistry. The event featured an exhibition titled "Bridging Eras: Costume Design in 'Lychees of Chang'an','" that examined how film/TV productions innovatively reinterpret traditional culture. Other event highlights included academic forums where national ICH inheritors and scholars discussed West Lake silk parasols, woodblock printing, Zhe-style guqin, and fan-making techniques. Key topics included the digital preservation of textiles techniques, ICH in contemporary fashion design and engaging youth with traditional crafts. The event offered immersive experiences, including live ICH demonstrations such as Linping Rolling Lanterns, Hangzhou Tanhuang opera, Xiaorehu storytelling, and guqin performances. Attendees also participated in interactive activities like the "ICH Discovery Challenge" scavenger hunt and explored artisan markets, creating a dynamic and engaging celebration of intangible cultural heritage. As the highlight of the "Hanfu Month," this year's Hanfu Night closely followed the theme of "Celestial Craftsmanship and Heavenly Garments." Six research teams showcased meticulously reconstructed historical Hanfu. Meanwhile, the "Lychees of Chang'an" team presented Tang Dynasty attire, with director Cao Dun dissecting its design, etiquette, and craftsmanship, highlighting TV drama's role in cultural revival. On-site, China National Silk Museum signed a framework MOU with CCTV-affiliated China Vision Media Group to co-develop silk-inspired products, leveraging textile patterns and cultural IPs like the upcoming documentary "Splendid Robes of China". The "China National Silk Museum Hanfu Festival" has been held for eight consecutive years and was upgraded to "Hanfu Month" this year. The entire event was live-streamed through official platforms of the China National Silk Museum such as Bilibili and Weibo, attracting nearly 5 million views, and ranked on Sina Weibo's national trending list on May 10th. In June, the China National Silk Museum will also carry out a twin-city collaboration in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event bridges heritage and modernity, fostering dialogue between traditional artisans, designers, and the public through exhibitions, performances, and cross-industry partnerships.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Peony Blossom Celebration: A Springtime Cultural Gathering Enchants Bulgaria
SOFIA, Bulgaria, May 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amidst a vibrant sea of peonies in Sofia's South Park, Bulgaria, the "Peony Blossom Celebration: A Springtime Cultural Gathering" kicked off on May 17, drawing hundreds from across the country eager to witness Bulgaria in full bloom. The event, graced by representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia Municipality, Chelopech Municipality, the Sofia municipal company "Parks and Urban Gardens," and the China Cultural Center in Sofia, showcased a delightful fusion of cultural heritage and floral elegance. A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. Co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria and the Publicity Department of the CPC Heze Municipal Committee, the event transformed into a vivid tapestry of Chinese culture, featuring immersive peony-themed photo exhibitions and interactive cultural experiences. A charitable aspect, supported by the "For Our Children" Foundation, saw enthusiastic public response to embassy-donated books and peony-themed cultural and creative products from Heze. The vibrant display of peony-themed photography harmonized beautifully with South Park's blooming flowers, allowing visitors to witness the peony's rich varieties and the profound heritage of Chinese culture. Guests savored peony-infused tea and delicacies, donned intricately embroidered Hanfu adorned with peony motifs, and explored artisanal creations such as peony porcelain, wheat-straw art, wood carvings, and woven rope peonies. Engaging hands-on activities, including peony painting workshops and trivia sessions, further enhanced the joyous atmosphere. "Peonies symbolize nobility, prosperity, and happiness, embodying values of harmony and shared beauty that resonate deeply with the Bulgarian people," said Sofia Deputy Mayor Nikola Barbutov, who conveyed a message from Mayor Vasil Terziev. The mayor praised the gathering as a reflection of the richness of Chinese culture and a celebration of dialogue, mutual understanding, and friendship, emphasizing the cultural and spiritual bond between the two peoples. As part of a commemorative project marking the 75th anniversary of China-Bulgaria diplomatic relations, 700 peony plants from Heze were transplanted to Sofia's South Park, Plovdiv Cultural Park, and the Botanical Garden of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences in 2024. These peonies now bloom in Bulgaria, each blossom narrating a story of friendship and peace. Wang Min, Chargé d'Affaires of the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria, referred to the event as a celebration of friendship and beauty. She expressed hope that Heze's peonies would flourish in Bulgaria, serving as enduring symbols of friendship, cultural exchange, and emotional connection between the two nations. Milena Vaseva, Director of Sofia's "Parks and Urban Gardens," reflected on her recent visit to Heze, commending the city's comprehensive peony industry, which integrates cultivation, trade, and full-plant utilization. She highlighted the city's peony gardens, which blend horticulture, cultural festivities, and leisure, expressing hopes for continued collaboration to ensure Sofia's peonies flourish. Source: Publicity Department of the CPC Heze Municipal Committee CONTACT: Contact for media only: Contact person: Ms. Zhang, Tel: 86-10-63074558Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Borneo Post
15-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Ancient Chinese garments find their way into global wardrobes
An Italian guest tries Hanfu at a Hanfu base in Caoxian County, east China's Shandong Province on April 8, 2025. – Xinhua photo JINAN (May 16): In an exhibition hall in east China's Shandong Province, Italian fashion blogger Camilla Pedersini explored with rapt attention, carefully learning the intricate process of Hanfu making before slipping into her first Hanfu outfit. 'This kind of clothing is gorgeous,' she marveled. 'It brings you back to ancient times. Chinese culture is fascinating.' Hanfu, the traditional attire of China, has evolved over the centuries and in recent years has enjoyed a revival, driven by a renewed interest in traditional culture among young people and its growing visibility on social media platforms. Yet, few people know that the country's largest Hanfu production hub is Caoxian County in Shandong. Caoxian's connection with Hanfu started about 17 years ago, when a few villagers began experimenting with making Hanfu costumes for photo studios and performances. With the rise of e-commerce in China, local Hanfu makers opened online stores and were pleasantly surprised by the strong demand for their dresses. With a population of over 1.3 million, Caoxian is now home to 2,753 Hanfu businesses. Last year, the county's combined online and offline Hanfu sales surpassed 12 billion yuan (about US$1.67 billion), accounting for nearly half of the national market share. In the first quarter of 2025 alone, Hanfu sales exceeded 3.14 billion yuan, marking an increase of 15.8 per cent from last year. A woman sells Hanfu via livestreaming in Ancailou Township of Caoxian County, east China's Shandong Province on July 6, 2023. – Xinhua photo In Caoxian's Ancailou township, workers at Huaqianyuexia Textile Co Ltd are bustling to fulfill a flood of orders. Six jacquard machines run around the clock, producing 600 meters of fabric daily for the horse-faced skirt, a distinctive Hanfu style known for its high, flat front and pleated sides. There has been particularly strong demand for the horse-faced skirt. 'We have orders for around 10,000 meters of fabric to be delivered by the end of June,' said An Peng, general manager of the company. 'While we're working flat out to complete these orders, new ones keep coming in.' In the face of a booming Hanfu market, innovation has become key. Luoruyan, a designer brand where a single dress can sell for thousands of yuan, has embraced this trend. Last year, it launched its 'fragrant Hanfu' line, incorporating fibers from flowers such as peony, rose and lotus blossom into the fabric. 'We would like to find a way to inject modern fashion into traditional Hanfu,' said Yao Chixing, founder of the brand. He added that the brand has also collaborated with universities to develop an antique-style brocade weaving technique in an attempt to successfully restore traditional patterns with over 90 per cent accuracy. They have also introduced an 'AI+ Hanfu' intelligent design system, which has already generated more than a thousand innovative patterns using algorithms. 'The Hanfu industry is a vivid manifestation of the vitality of Chinese culture,' said Pan Lusheng, chairman of the China Folk Literature and Art Association. A worker sews Hanfu in Caoxian County, east China's Shandong Province on July 6, 2023. – Xinhua photo The Hanfu dresses made in Caoxian have been exported to more than 20 countries, including the Republic of Korea (ROK) and Italy. At the beginning of this year, when Luoruyan launched its clothing line-up themed on Chinese New Year celebrations, the company quickly received orders for over 100 pieces from Britain. 'To meet the demand of the international market, the company has not only created customised designs but also modified patterns and expanded the range of sizes to ensure that overseas consumers can find dresses that fit,' Yao said. Seeing the business opportunity, Hu Chunqing, who holds a doctorate in material processing engineering, moved to Caoxian in 2018 with his wife to launch their own brand. Thanks to social media platforms like TikTok and Facebook, he managed to expand his overseas market. 'We used to sell our dresses mainly to Southeast Asia,' said Hu. 'Now, with a significant increase in inquiries from clients in Europe, Japan, ROK, America, South Africa, and the Middle East, we are working hard to expand the export channels for our Hanfu.' Models present Hanfu on the stage during a Hanfu launch event in Caoxian County, east China's Shandong Province on April 10, 2025. – Xinhua photo At the third Caoxian Hanfu cultural festival in April, five individuals from Egypt, Russia, Brazil and Italy, including Camilla Pedersini, were appointed as ambassadors to promote Hanfu overseas. 'This is not only fashion, but also a vivid expression of Chinese traditional culture,' she said. 'In China I see that creativity is deeply rooted in its culture, which is inspiring.' 'In an era when China-chic is on the rise, Hanfu is not only a carrier of traditional Chinese culture, but also a name card of the country on the international fashion stage,' said Cao Jiachang, president of the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textiles. – Xinhua China clothes fashion garments Xinhua
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
Global Times: Diverse cultural activities on the Great Wall highlight symbol of unity and resilience
BEIJING, May 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- At dusk, the dazzling lights began to turn on, and the Badaling Great Wall in Beijing stretches like a grand golden dragon. Exhibitions of Hanfu culture, performances of traditional instruments such as guzheng, and dance shows attracted many visitors to gather and watch. As the 2025 Great Wall Cultural Festival, which features varieties of cultural activities along many sections of the man-made defensive structure, kicked off on Tuesday. The night tour on the Badaling Great Wall has opened to visitors. Under the embellishment of lights, the Great Wall reveals a distinctive charm different from that in the daytime to the tourists. Mei Lanfen, one of the voluntary Great Wall guardians living in the Shixia village in Beijing's Yanqing district, can experience the diverse charm of the Great Wall almost every day during her seven-kilometer patrol through steep mountain paths. In Mei's eyes, the enduring charm that motivates her to continue patrolling for nearly six years stems from the deep cultural significance of the Great Wall. "The Great Wall is a symbol of the Chinese nation standing strong for thousands of years. In the face of storms and adversity, it has taught us resilience and courage," she noted. Going closer The 2025 Beijing Great Wall Cultural Festival started with the string quartet Great Wall Ballad on Wednesday. Musicians from the Beijing Symphony Orchestra complemented the children's cheerful voices from Yanqing No. 2 Primary School. At the opening ceremony, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism announced 10 self-driving tour routes along the Great Wall. These routes connect six districts, including Mentougou, Changping, Yanqing and Huairou and link to multiple sections such as the Badaling Great Wall, Juyongguan Great Wall, Mutianyu Great Wall, Huanghuacheng Water Great Wall and Simatai Great Wall. The tour routes also extend to over 20 key rural tourism villages and towns across the country. Liu Wenyan, a deputy director of the Great Wall National Cultural Park Protection Institute at the Chinese Academy of Cultural Heritage, told the Global Times that this "culture-commerce-tourism-sports" model has revitalized rural economies along the Great Wall through heritage-inspired products and tourism programs. In recent years, ongoing efforts to explore the cultural significance of the Great Wall and to protect and preserve its heritage have led to increased interests from both domestic and international visitors. As a result, more and more people now have the opportunity to experience and connect with this remarkable symbol of Chinese history and culture through various creative methods. For example, starting from the May Day holidays this year, the Badaling Great Wall scenic area has introduced an exoskeleton climbing device rental service to visitors. Shen Bingtang, a publicity staff member with the Badaling Culture and Tourism Group, told the Global Times that by combining artificial intelligence with ergonomic design, this equipment helps tourists enjoy a more effortless climbing experience. For many visitors, climbing the steep steps of the Great Wall is a physical challenge. Buckled around the waist and strapped on the legs, the exoskeleton device can intelligently detect inclines and declines, automatically adjusting its assistance mode to ensure optimal support on varying slopes. This device significantly reduces physical strain for its users, especially the elderly, making the experience of climbing much easier and more enjoyable, according to Shen. In addition to climbing the ancient architecture, attending traditional temple fairs and participating in photo competitions themed around the Great Wall during the cultural festival are also meaningful ways for enthusiasts to connect this historic heritage. To be continued Currently, a team of over 20 members in Badaling township, including Mei, takes turns patrolling the unopened sections of the Great Wall. "I love standing atop the Great Wall's towers, feeling the wind swirl around me. Even if it means sweating through summer patrols, it gives me a strong sense of fulfillment," Mei told the Global Times. Addressing the evolving ethos of the Great Wall, Liu noted the need to reinterpret its spirit amid technological progress and shifting values in this new age. Historically, a testament to the interplay between agricultural and nomadic civilizations, the Great Wall now embodies "harmonious coexistence." In order to pass on the Great Wall culture as far into the future as possible, various works covering restoration, digitalization and exhibition have been carried out on by local authorities or individuals along the heritage that spans thousands of miles. While the Great Wall National Cultural Park is under construction, the China Great Wall Museum is expected to open to the public by the end of next year or early 2027. Zhang Yu, director of the office of the Capital Museum of China, said that once completed, the museum will offer visitors a chance to explore and understand the Great Wall culture through exhibits, while also providing an opportunity to see this incredible and historical monument firsthand. By combining the building's design with the layout of the exhibits, the museum aims to create a comprehensive space that tells the story of the Great Wall and highlights its cultural spirit, Zhang said. View original content: SOURCE Global Times Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
