Archive November 3, 2024

With the release of the domestic game “Black Myth: Wukong,” the trend of “Traveling Shanxi with Wukong” continues to soar. Data from Tongcheng Travel shows that during the Mid-Autumn Festival, bookings for attractions in Shanxi Province surged by 135% compared to last year, with significant increases in cities like Taiyuan, Linfen, Datong, and Yuncheng. Popular destinations such as Jin Ci Museum, Guangsheng Temple, Yungang Grottoes, and Hanging Temple have become top favorites among tourists.

The Mid-Autumn holiday saw a bustling cultural and tourism market in Shanxi, with attractions rolling out a variety of activities to welcome visitors. Local tourism departments implemented numerous convenience measures to ensure a delightful travel experience for all.

During the festival, the Jincheng Huangcheng Xiangfu scenic area offered free and half-price admissions for “Destined Ones.” Visitors could gain access for free or at a discount by presenting their ID, game purchase records from “Black Myth: Wukong,” or game completion screenshots, attracting many gaming enthusiasts to check in at the scenic area. Throughout the day, non-heritage performances, immersive storytelling, and local folk shows created a festive atmosphere of reunion and celebration for visitors.

At Qiao’s Compound, the “Qiao Courtyard Stamp Collection” activity was a hit among young tourists. Participants collected stamps while touring, entering a lucky draw for prizes such as the “Black Myth: Wukong” Ruyi Golden Cudgel, WeGame activation codes, and traditional Shanxi treats like hollow mooncakes and aged vinegar. Tourists also engaged in activities like marriage customs performances, riddle games, DIY rabbit figurine crafts, and a traditional performance showcasing Qitai Yangge, Jin opera, and folk songs, adding a sense of ceremony to their travel experience.

This year, the Jin Ci Museum’s National Style Cultural Festival coincided perfectly with the Mid-Autumn Festival. Activities like immersive “Journey to the West” tours, situational performances, poetry reading sessions, and cultural shows invited visitors into a rich experience. The iconic four protagonists from “Journey to the West” interacted with guests daily in the museum, while a themed photography spot from the 1986 adaptation drew crowds, enriching the experience with a blend of history and modernity.

The Zhangbi Ancient Castle introduced a traditional yet trendy Mid-Autumn garden party, attracting many foreign visitors to sit at long tables alongside Chinese tourists for a “Long Table Tea and Flower Banquet.” Rows of long tables filled with various traditional snacks and flowers created a lively atmosphere where hundreds gathered to enjoy tea, admire flowers, and savor delicious food. Performances of Hanfu parades, suona music, and traditional Mid-Autumn experiences like lantern lighting and moon worship enriched the festivities. Huang Kangjian, the scenic area’s PR manager, expressed, “We hope activities like the Long Table Tea and Flower Banquet will allow tourists to savor authentic traditional cuisine and appreciate the profound essence and unique charm of Chinese culture. Throughout the day, we offer various themed events to enhance visitors’ experiences.”

Amidst the excitement of “Traveling Shanxi with Wukong,” authentic Shanxi cuisine and traditional Jin-style residences have captured tourists’ attention. In Pingyao Ancient Town, traditional Shanxi dishes like Stir-Fried Tofu, Hunyuan Cold Noodles, and Guoyou Meat are extremely popular. Some restaurants have creatively integrated cultural themes into their menus, such as the Tianyuan Northern Wei Family Feast, which features favorites like smoked pork hocks, Hu Bing, and Pingcheng roast chicken, all within a setting that evokes a traditional Jin-style residence, making many visitors feel as though they’ve stepped back in time.

To prepare for the holiday rush, tourism departments and attractions across Shanxi made extensive preparations in advance. In Datong’s Yungang District, to accommodate the sudden influx of visitors, over 3,000 parking spots were organized in public areas such as Jinhua Palace Middle School and Xiaozhan Village, ensuring ample parking for guests. Emergency shuttle points were set up in Xiaozhan Village, the main access route to the Yungang Grottoes, providing quick transfers to enhance visitors’ experiences. Shou City’s Chongfu Temple offered free hot water, charging stations, and storage for small items. From September 1 to October 31, a limited number of 200 travel documents and 400 themed postcards were distributed daily to meet tourist demand. Meanwhile, the Muta Scenic Area in Yuncheng launched a “Real-life Wukong’s Journey through the Millennia” event featuring themed checkpoints, time-travel dialogues, and gathering of “Destined Ones,” encouraging visitors to slow down and extend their stay.

According to a travel summary released by Ctrip on September 17 regarding the 2024 Mid-Autumn holiday, the popularity of Shanxi ancient architecture tours is striking. Tourism orders in Datong, Xinzhou, and Shuozhou increased by nearly 40% compared to the Dragon Boat Festival, with young people emerging as the driving force behind visits to various popular attractions in Shanxi.

The enthusiasm for Shanxi ancient architecture tours continues unabated. On social media, many users have shared, “’Traveling Shanxi with Wukong’ is so hot right now! We’ve already bought our train tickets for a family trip to Shanxi during National Day!” and “I can’t wait to taste Shanxi cuisine, experience its culture, and admire its ancient architecture. This year, I must visit Shanxi!”

On July 27, local time, at the 46th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India, resolutions were passed to inscribe three sites from China into the World Heritage List.

Firstly, “Beijing’s Central Axis: The Epitome of China’s Ideal Urban Order,” a masterpiece spanning north to south through Beijing’s ancient core, was recognized. Established in the 13th century and evolving throughout the 16th century, this 7.8-kilometer-long axis stands as the world’s longest urban axis. Comprising ancient imperial palaces and sacrificial edifices, along with civic management facilities and monumental roads, it embodies the ideal urban paradigm described in ancient Chinese texts. Reflecting China’s imperial traditions and urban planning philosophies, it symbolizes Beijing’s historical evolution and ongoing societal centrality.

Secondly, the “Badain Jaran Desert-Shashan Lakes” and the “Yellow (Bohai) Sea Migratory Bird Habitat (Phase II)” were also successfully added to the list during the previous day’s session. Situated in the extreme arid temperate desert region of the Alashan Plateau, the Badain Jaran Desert features towering sand dunes and numerous inter-dune lakes, showcasing dynamic geological and geomorphic characteristics. Renowned for its towering fixed sand dunes, extensive singing sand areas, and diverse wind-eroded landscapes, it exemplifies extraordinary natural aesthetic value.

Thirdly, the “Yellow (Bohai) Sea Migratory Bird Habitat” encompasses the world’s largest tidal flat wetlands. Initially inscribed in 2019 as Phase I, this session saw its expansion to include Shanghai’s Chongming Dongtan, Shandong’s Dongying Huanghe Estuary, Hebei’s Cangzhou Nandagang, Liaoning’s Dalian Shadao-Laotieshan, and Dandong’s Yalu River Estuary. Serving as critical stopover points along the East Asia-Australasia Flyway, this migratory route spans 22 countries and supports millions of waterfowl annually, providing indispensable breeding, resting, and wintering grounds.

These additions bring China’s total World Heritage sites to 59, encompassing 15 natural, 4 mixed, and 40 cultural properties. Each site not only represents China’s rich cultural and natural diversity but also underscores its commitment to global biodiversity conservation and ecological governance.