Cultural activities held across China to celebrate National Day

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Various activities were held across China to celebrate the seven-day National Day holiday which started on Tuesday.

In Hancheng City, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the immersive exhibition activity "Explore the Ancient City and Experience Intangible Cultural Heritage" showcases the unique charm of traditional culture.

Performances of intangible cultural heritage such as shehuo, a traditional folk celebration, and yangge folk dance were staged to enable visitors to feel the charisma of traditional culture as they strolled down the ancient city streets.

At the city's food street, local specialties like mutton noodles and Hancheng flowery steamed buns caught visitors' eyes. Tourists can enjoy delicious dishes while also immersing themselves in experiences like making dumplings and crafting flowery steamed buns.

Visitors also gathered together and sang patriotic songs such as "Ode to the Motherland," expressing their love for the country.

"I'm very happy and fortunate to be here singing today. I wish for my country to prosper and for the people to live in peace and safety," said a local resident named Hu Yafang.

In Baquan Village, Heshan Town, Tongxiang City in east China's Zhejiang Province, over 200 villagers lifted a 300-meter-long dragon adorned with handmade silkworm flowers above their heads.

The dragon dance team, accompanied by the sounds of drums and gongs, passed under the hanging red lanterns, gracefully moving along the rural road.

Along the sides of the road, villagers and tourists waved national flags, experiencing the festive atmosphere together.

Multiple areas in central China's Hubei Province also boast a strong festive atmosphere. In Danjiangkou, the core water source of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, local authorities have created nighttime boat tours on the Han River. The integrated light and sound show has attracted many tourists.

Xiamen City in east China's Fujian Province has launched over 150 cultural and tourism activities, featuring intangible cultural heritage classics, trendy events, and musical performances, offering citizens and tourists an immersive new experience in culture and tourism.

Starting from September 30, Zhongshan Road Pedestrian Street in Siming District of Xiamen City, is hosting hundreds of performances showcasing Minnan (southern Fujian Province) cultural heritage.

"We want more tourists to learn about our traditional skills in Minnan and to promote and pass down our local culture," said Hu Wenxian, an inheritor of the Minnan brick carving.

Gulangyu island in Fujian, which is famous for its varied architecture and multicultural history and was included on the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2017, has organized over 50 high-quality music events, including concerts in courtyards, squares, and on the beach for the National Day holiday, allowing citizens and tourists to fully enjoy the unique charm of the "Island of Music."

Cultural activities held across China to celebrate National Day

Macao has been emerging as a global hub for conventions and exhibitions in recent years by exploring the enormous opportunities in the sector, driving the region to advance its economic diversification and embrace a brighter future.

Macao has received many awards this year, such as the Best Convention City (Asia) and the Best BT-MICE City, showcasing the recognition for and influence of Macao's exhibition industry.

More than 1,000 electronic game enthusiasts from all over the world gathered recently in Macao to participate in a esports themed event.

Su Zhili, organizer of the event, said that Macao's rich experience in hosting large-scale events, coupled with its good infrastructure, has driven him to choose the region as an ideal destination to hold such an activity.

"Macao has held many similar large-scale events. It has rich experience, and the facilities at the venue are relatively mature, so we can start our work comfortably," said Su.

During the first three quarters of 2024, Macao held more than 1,000 conferences and exhibitions in total.

"We will invite more professional, special conferences to be held in Macao and also cultivate more exhibition brands with international influence in Macao, so as to promote Macao's exhibitions to be more market-oriented, professional, international, digital and greener from various aspects. This is our goal," said Elaine Wong, member of the Macao Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute.

In addition, multiple large exhibitions and conferences, such as the Macao International Trade and Investment fair, the Macao Franchise Expo, and the International Infrastructure Investment and Construction Forum, are held regularly in Macao.

With the introduction of a series of policies and measures to facilitate the exchanges between the mainland and Macao, as well as the construction and development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Macao's convention and exhibition industry will embrace more opportunities for development in the foreseeable future.

"We have such a good industrial base in the Greater Bay Area. The mode of 'Convention and Exhibition + Industry' not only integrates the industries of Macao, but also the industries of the Greater Bay Area. In addition, Macao actively integrates into the national development and plays a role in the Belt and Road. Why are we so confident in Macao's convention and exhibition sector? Because it is backed by the motherland, and the country gives Macao great support," said Alan Ho, chairman of the Macao Association of Convention, Exhibition and Tourism Sectors.

Macao emerges as global hub for conventions and exhibitions, driving economic diversification and international recognition