Spring Economic New Landscape | Cultural and Tourism Collaborate to Paint a New Picture of "Poetry and the Distance"

Headline: Spring Economic New Landscape｜Spring Empowers Intangible Cultural Heritage, and Culture & Tourism Co-create a New Canvas of “Poetry and Distant Places”

Xinhua News Agency, Guangzhou, March 31—With the spring breeze bringing warmth and all things flourishing, people step out of their homes to embrace the splendor of spring.

From the tea-sacrifice ceremony in Lingnan tea country to the Three Kingdoms-themed gatherings along the river in Wuhan; from the flower-in-the-eighth-day celebrations in the ancient city of Xiangyang to the immersive reality performances in Cao Wei’s former capital—intangible cultural heritage is increasingly blending into springtime culture-and-tourism scenes with a lively presence, boosting consumer vitality and empowering local development.

Meishan Ecological Tea Garden in Laokeng Town, Qujiang District, Shaoguan. Photo by Huang Guobao, Xinhua News Agency

The spring in Luokeng, Shaoguan, Guangdong, is awakened by ancient tea trees. In this land famed as one of “Guangdong’s Top Ten Tea Towns,” more than 40,000 century-old tea trees stand quietly among the mountains. The oldest one has grown in the mountains for 800 years.

On March 28, inside the Luokeng Meishan Ecological Tea Garden, the centuries-old “Spring Mountain Tea-Sacrifice Walk” kicked off. Ethnic Yao compatriots and families with children called out together for the mountain-rousing moment, with voices echoing through the valleys: “Budding now!” “Harvesting now!” About 50 stalls spread out along the grass, with local tea enterprises, featured catering, intangible cultural heritage workshops, and teams from universities all appearing together, forming an open, multi-format integrated consumer space.

The “Spring Mountain Tea-Sacrifice Walk” ceremony inside the Luokeng Meishan Ecological Tea Garden. Photo by Xinhua News Agency

“The experience is more focused on an immersive way of ‘exploring and playing at the same time,’” said Shao Linbao, head of the Meishan Ecological Tea Garden. “Visitors can learn to sing tea-harvest operas at the intangible cultural heritage workshops, experience the Yao people’s bamboo-rod dance in the interactive area, pose for a snapshot in the ancient-style makeup and costume area, and enjoy the fun of intangible cultural heritage in the springtime tea gardens.”

By the Yangtze River, flowers and culture meet; the spring is even richer, and the elegance even more pronounced. From ascending step by step at Wuchang’s Guisan Mountain in Wuhan, the eaves of the Zhi Yin Hall catch the pink-and-white blossoms; ancient-style performers appear in the parade performance. As you reach higher ground, the Yangtze River Bridge and Yellow Crane Tower come into the same frame, with the river breeze carrying the fragrance of flowers and the air of ancient charm—an atmosphere that’s taken to the max.

Visitors dressed in Hanfu pose for a group photo in front of the Zhi Yin Hall in Wuhan. Photo by Let Wenwan, Xinhua News Agency

At the Huajiaochou (flower-in-the-eighth-day) festival scene in Huangjiawan, Xiangyang, Hubei—a historic and cultural city—Duo Xinqiang, 24, wearing a blue-gray round-collar robe and carrying a bamboo-splint flower basket, walked through the spring scenery alongside other Hanfu enthusiasts. “Like many people, I’m not only here to see flowers, but also to feel a cultural atmosphere,” Duo Xinqiang said.

People put on Hanfu, go out for spring outings to admire flowers, browse the markets, and sample spring tea—opening up spring in the way of the ancients, showcasing new vitality in the integration of culture and tourism. “Over the next few weeks, as peach blossoms, cherry blossoms, azaleas, and other flowers gradually come into full bloom, we will organize themed activities every week. We’ll blend flower viewing with traditional folk customs and local specialties,” said Shi Jinmin, general manager of the Huangjiawan Scenic Area.

Scene from the 10th Huajiaochou (flower-in-the-eighth-day) Festival at the Huangjiawan Scenic Area. Photo by Xinhua News Agency

In Cao Wei Ancient City in Caoxian, Henan, the springtime atmosphere comes not only from fresh greenery on the branches, but also from a series of intangible cultural heritage feasts that feel “alive” and revived.

At 3:00 p.m., the immersive performance 《Dancing Dreams of Diaochan》 was in full swing. The red-robed “Diaochan” danced midair, with long sleeves unfurling and rolling. “This kind of show is especially great—it lets you experience the historical atmosphere up close,” said Qi Huabin, a tourist from Tianjin.

Tourists experience Three Kingdoms culture at Cao Wei Ancient City in Weidu District, Xuchang. Photo by Wang Yongtao, Xinhua News Agency

To invigorate the springtime culture-and-tourism market, local authorities delve deeper into Three Kingdoms culture, connecting scenic spots such as Cao Wei Ancient City, the Spring and Autumn Tower, and the residence of Cao Shouxiang (Cao’s prime minister), and creating a premium cultural experience route for the Three Kingdoms. Programs such as “The Lord of Wei Welcomes Guests,” “Writing Poems in Seven Steps,” and “The Peach Garden’s Three Oaths of Brotherhood” are staged one after another, turning historical stories into immersive intangible cultural heritage experiences.

From south to north and from far and near, spring scenery is like a painting, and intangible cultural heritage feels like poetry. The integration of intangible cultural heritage and culture and tourism is turning “springtime traffic” into “economic incremental gains.” By building immersive, interactive new cultural scenes, tourism is shifting from “resource dependence” to “scene-driven.” This not only meets new consumer needs for higher quality, individuality, and emotional resonance, but also allows traditional culture to enter modern life in a more vivid way.

Planning: Ling Weijia

Overall coordination: Liu Yaxuan, Huang Nanxi

Reporters: Lu Hao, Xiong Xianghe, Shi Linjing, Deng Ruixuan