Local authorities across China are using their unique resources to continuously create new cultural and tourism experiences, attracting visitors for sightseeing and recreation.
The tourism department in north China's Hebei Province started a Hong Kong-Hebei cultural tourism week, launching a series of events in Hong Kong, including artistic performances and demonstrations of intangible cultural heritage.
The activities are aimed to provide the residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) with a deeper understanding of the charm of Hebei's culture and tourism.
"Today, I am very excited to be in Hong Kong. I brought these exhibits to allow residents of Hong Kong to experience traditional culture, which makes me feel very proud," said Ma Fuliang, a filigree inlay artist, also a national intangible cultural heritage (ICH) bearer.
"I have heard that the ancient town of Zhengding is very beautiful. I would like to go and see it," said a Hong Kong resident.
Leveraging its ice and snow resources, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province has combined sports events with ice and snow tourist attractions and hosted an ice marathon on Wednesday, the first day of 2025, attracting over 2,000 marathon enthusiasts from across the country.
At the same time, a self-driving event was launched on Saturday in Xilingol League of Inner Mongolia in north China, bringing together thousands of vehicles from across the nation.
During the opening ceremony, parade formations and artistic performances were presented to offer a visual feast for the spectators.
"This is our second year coming here, and we are participating in the second race. It has been very enjoyable," said Guo Junke, a participant from Beijing.
Up to date, Xilingol League has received over one million visitors from across the country this winter.
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As the Qingming Festival approaches this Friday, various traditional folk activities have been held across China, celebrating the rich cultural heritage of the occasion.
With a 2,500-year history, Qingming Festival, or the Festival of Pure Brightness, observed in early April, uniquely combines ancestral worship with the celebration of spring. Falling on the 15th day after the spring equinox, this ritual-rich observance reflects China's enduring values of ancestral veneration and inspires deep introspection about what gives life meaning.
In Sijia Village, Huayin City, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, a unique swing festival is held to mark the occasion. Eighteen different types of traditional swings, such as the spinning wheel swing, the Bagua swing reminiscent of a rotating carousel, and the balance swing designed for two people, have attracted many visitors.
Historically, Sijia Village served as a military post guarding the strategic Tongguan pass, a former mountain pass and fortress located south of the confluence of the Wei and Yellow Rivers. The swing tradition in the village has its origins in military training exercises like climbing and river crossing. The local swing culture further developed as regional trade flourished, eventually evolving into the "swing festival" that continues today.
"It's very exciting and tests your skill, endurance, and most importantly, your arm strength. You need to maintain balance," said Qu Xiangyang, a visitor.
In Rudong County, Nantong City, east China's Jiangsu Province, another traditional Qingming activity takes place - kite flying.
Flying kites as a way of making wishes is an age-old Qingming custom in this region. As a result, the Qingming Festival in Nantong is also known as the "Kite Festival."
The local Banyao whistling kite making skills is listed as one of the first national intangible cultural heritage items.
According to a folk culture expert, people traditionally write the names of diseases or misfortunes on paper, attach it to a kite, and release it into the sky. This practice is believed to drive away illness and disaster, while also serving as a way to make wishes.
In south China's Guangdong Province, a large tug-of-war competition is underway in Maoming City. Teams from different towns and streets are competing, attracting many locals to cheer on their teams.
Tug-of-war, which originated during the late Spring and Autumn period (770 BC - 476 BC), became part of Qingming customs during the Tang Dynasty (618-907). Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty once organized large-scale tug-of-war competitions for the festival.
"Tug-of-war became very popular in the Tang Dynasty, even emerging as the national sport. It originated in the Jingchu region and later spread across the country. In ancient Lingnan (Southern China), tug-of-war games were a common tradition. Through these events, people seek to pray for peace, prosperity, and abundant harvests," said Yao Guojun, vice dean of the College of Arts and Law, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology.
Traditional folk activities held for Qingming Festival
