Integration of culture, tourism picks up steam

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2024-08-29 13:17

Summer vacationers have been flocking to Langfang, Hebei province, to have a vicarious experience of the past at the Unique Dream of Red Mansion theme park.

Distinctive scene settings and immersive theater performances take visitors back in time after setting foot in the park, which offers artistic renditions of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) novel Dream of the Red Chamber, also known as A Dream of Red Mansions, which recounted social life and folk customs of that time.

Since it opened in July last year, the park has staged more than 7,500 shows and attracted more than 1 million visitors, according to the park's administration.

And in Xi'an, Shanxi province, a vivid reproduction of Tang Dynasty (618-907) urban life can be found in the Twelve Hours of Chang'an themed cultural street, a former shopping mall that also has been a magnet for visitors.

Tourists can shop and watch performances, as well as wine and dine in the historical setting, which is within walking distance of the city's well-known historical landmark, the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda.

Since opening in April 2022, the cultural street has received more than 4 million visitors, with daily traffic exceeding more than 7,000 visits, said Zou Linfeng, chairman of the Shanxi Cultural Tourism Co, a major investor in the theme area.

The two tourist attractions are among many beneficiaries of the integrated development of culture and tourism, which has been advocated and supported by the country.

The resolution adopted at the third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in July reaffirmed support for such integration, calling for efforts to promote the full integration of culture and tourism. The resolution also proposed exploring effective mechanisms for integrating culture with science and technology, and stepping up efforts to foster new forms of cultural business.

Rong Xinfeng, chairman of the Badaling Culture and Tourism Group, which is in charge of tourism operations at the Badaling Great Wall scenic area in Beijing's Yanqing district, said, "We will implement the guiding principles of the plenary session into specific projects, promoting the integration of culture and tourism, and better telling the Great Wall's story."

More immersive experiences featuring the Great Wall will be launched, including performances, creative cultural items and local food, Rong said.

Mei Yi, head of the Jiangxi culture and tourism department, said the resolution adopted at the plenum pointed the way for the culture and tourism industry.

The province in East China will come up with new tourism services, products and scenes featuring local cultural heritage and ecology, Mei said.

The country has put a premium on the integrated development of culture- and tourism-related industries over the years.