Summer Vibe of the Mountain City Attracting Visitors, Cultural Tourism Bridging People Across the World

This summer, leveraging opportunities such as the Lancang-Mekong Tourist Cities Cooperation Alliance and the 50th anniversary of China-Philippines diplomatic relations, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development has built an international cultural tourism bridge, showcasing the unique charm of the “Majestic Landscapes, Dynamic Chongqing”.

Laotian Travel Agents Visiting Chongqing, Embarking on Their First Journey to Explore Bayu Culture

At the end of July, a “Chongqing-Vientiane Connection: Shared Joyfulness” themed familiarization tour, consisting of 25 Laotian travel agencies, visited Ciqikou Ancient Town and Jindaoxia Town. They immersed themselves in Chongqing’s natural wonders and cultural essence, injecting new vitality into Chongqing-Laos cultural tourism exchanges.

On the first day, the Laotian delegation stepped into Ciqikou Ancient Town, the most renowned ancient town in Chongqing. The stone-paved lanes wind forward, unfolding before them intangible cultural heritage crafts and traditional folk customs hidden in the town’s alleys: the crispy Chen’s Mahua (Fried Dough Twists) carrying a century of craftsmanship, and delicate handmade sugar paintings sketching memories of folk life. As they strolled through the alleys, the agents gained a deep sense of the profound cultural heritage and vibrant vitality of Bayu culture. This immersive experience provided them with “first-hand materials” for promoting Chongqing tourism in the future.

The next day, the delegation traveled to Pianyan Ancient Town in Jindaoxia Town, coinciding with the opening of the Summer Food Festival: intense water basketball matches, entertaining water mahjong, and a lively floating market filled the air with excitement. These unique activities delighted the Laotian guests, who exclaimed that it was “refreshing and novel,” eagerly taking photos and joining in. Later, they explored Jindaoxia Scenic Area, where the karst topography created breathtaking gorges, and thrilling canyoning activities perfectly combined adventure with summer leisure, vividly demonstrating Chongqing’s diverse appeal.

A representative of the Laotian delegation remarked: “Chongqing offers both the cultural warmth of Ciqikou and the natural wild charm of Jindaoxia. We will wholeheartedly recommend this ‘8D Magic City’ to Laotian tourists when we return!” This familiarization tour not only showcased to the international market Chongqing’s unique dual advantage of driving tourism with “culture + nature”, but also built a bridge for deeper tourism cooperation between Chongqing and Lao PDR.

According to an representative from the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, since the beginning of this year, the introduction of awards for independent marketing and emerging market development has continuously optimized incentive policies, greatly enhancing market entities’ enthusiasm for exploring the international tourism market. On one hand, the initiative to use direct flight resources has been fully unleashed — countries and regions with direct flights, such as Cambodia and Lao PDR, have been incorporated into potential target markets, with the “Promote Along the Direct Flights” campaigns achieving notable results. On the other hand, coordination between districts, towns, travel agencies, and scenic areas has become more streamlined and efficient, allowing for the swift integration of resources to launch a variety of themed and customized products. A four-season themed product system has now been largely established.

Chongqing Being the “First Choice, First Stop” for the China Roadshow 2025: A New Chapter in Chongqing-Thailand Cultural and Tourism Cooperation

On July 28, the China Roadshow 2025, jointly organized by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) with strong support from the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, was held in Chongqing. Over 200 representatives from cultural and tourism departments, travel associations, and leading cultural and tourism enterprises from both sides gathered to discuss new chapters of cooperation.

Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, stated that Chongqing is the “First Choice, First Stop” city for the China Roadshow 2025 of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of Thailand and TAT. This highlights Thailand’s strong focus on the Chongqing market and marks a new stage in Thailand-China tourism cooperation. Thailand will simultaneously launch three major initiatives: the “Nihao Month” Mid-Autumn Festival special package, the “Amazing Thailand, The Joy Never Ends” thematic marketing campaign, and the “Thailand Summer Blast” charter flight and MICE incentives. These measures aim to enhance Chinese tourists’ travel experience in Thailand, build a new two-way tourism ecosystem, and promote sustainable, mutually beneficial tourism development between the two countries.

Mr. Sake Nopthaisong, Consul-General of Royal Thai in Chengdu, noted that this year marks a “golden year” in Thailand-China relations, bringing historic opportunities for tourism cooperation. Thailand will continue to improve its services and provide Chinese visitors with diverse and high-quality experiences.

Zhu Mao, Deputy Director-General of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, emphasized that as one of the founding members and key driving forces of the Lancang-Mekong Tourist Cities Cooperation Alliance, Chongqing has maintained close ties with Bangkok and other Thai sister cities. Since the implementation of the China-Thailand visa exemption agreement in March 2024, the “Thailand-Chongqing” travel route has quickly become a model for regional cooperation, with the phenomenon of “Chongqing being packed with Thai tourists” turning into an international tourism highlight. He expressed hope that this event would serve as an opportunity for deeper cross-border cooperation, establishing long-term mechanisms for resource sharing, complementary strengths, market interaction, and mutual benefit. The goal is to transform tourism resource advantages into economic advantages, further boost bilateral trade and cultural exchange, and actively advance Lancang-Mekong tourism integration.

To deepen joint marketing and promote win-win development in cross-border tourism, the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development also organized the “Meet Thailand in Chongqing” cultural exchange and promotion event. It featured Bayu cultural and artistic performances, presentations of Chongqing’s tourism resources, and business matchmaking sessions between travel enterprises, fully showcasing Chongqing’s warmth, sincerity, strengths, and responsibility as the headquarter of the Lancang-Mekong Tourist Cities Cooperation Alliance.

Vietnamese Students Exploring Chongqing: Building a “Heart-to-Heart Bridge” Between Chinese and Vietnamese Youth

Recently, under the coordination and guidance of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development, the Commission of Culture and Tourism Development of Beibei District, together with the Chongqing Natural History Museum, travel agencies, as well as colleges and universities, launched a new inbound youth study tour program, which welcomed its first delegation from Viet Nam.

The delegation included Vietnamese middle school, high school, and university students, along with parent representatives. From July 24 to 29, they embarked on a six-day journey in Chongqing, visiting universities, engaging in cultural experiences, and exploring city landmarks. Through this program, they gained a deep understanding of Chongqing’s cultural atmosphere and educational strengths, leaving a vivid mark on China-Viet Nam educational and cultural exchange.

This study tour marked another important step in Chongqing’s efforts to integrate culture, tourism, and education, enriching its inbound tourism offerings. The Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development coordinated high-quality resources citywide, designing a curriculum centered on “educational immersion + cultural perception.”

From July 25 to 28, the delegation first visited Southwest University, where the strong academic atmosphere inspired many students to consider studying in Chongqing. At the Chongqing Natural History Museum, they explored palaeontological fossils and geological wonders in an immersive experience of natural science. They also visited Liziba Station of Metro Line 2 and the Chongqing Auditorium of the People to admire Chongqing’s unique architecture, and explored TESTBED2 and Ciqikou Ancient Town to experience the city’s lively urban culture. The modern prosperity of Jiefangbei, the folk traditions of Shibati Traditional Scenic Area, and the traditional stilted buildings (diaojiaolou) of Hongyadong gave the delegation a full taste of the “Majestic Landscapes, Dynamic Chongqing.”

This program served not only as a hands-on “experience class” for Vietnamese youth to learn about Chinese education but also as a “heart-to-heart bridge” for mutual cultural understanding between China and Viet Nam.

A spokesperson from the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development stated that the next step will be to deepen resource integration, linking universities, museums, and intangible cultural heritage venues to enrich the “Tracing Hongyan Spirit · China-Viet Nam Youth Dialogue” study tour routes. A regular exchange mechanism will also be established with Vietnamese cultural and educational institutions to create platforms for youth exchanges, encouraging reciprocal visits. Additionally, cooperation will be expanded by combining study tours with study-abroad promotion and cultural performances, enabling more Vietnamese youth to become witnesses and messengers of China-Viet Nam friendship.

“The Workshop on the Protection & Inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Francophone African Countries” Opening in Chongqing

From July 28 to 31, the foreign aid training program “The Workshop on the Protection & Inheritance of Intangible Cultural Heritage for Francophone African Countries,” (Séminaire sur la Sauvegarde et le Développement du Patrimoine Culturel Immatériel pour les Pays Francophones d’Afrique — Déplacement à Chongqing) sponsored by the China International Development Cooperation Agency, was officially launched in Chongqing. Thirty-five officials, experts, and scholars from nine Francophone African countries, including Mauritius, Guinea, and Morocco came to Chongqing for a four-day trip of learning Chinese culture, aiming to explore new paths for safeguarding and inheriting intangible cultural heritage through study tours and dialogues.

The first stop of the workshop was the Intangible Cultural Heritage Institute of Chongqing Vocational College of Culture and Arts. Chinese and African experts and scholars held in-depth discussions on topics such as the inheritance through living practice, innovative transformation, and sustainable management of intangible cultural heritage projects. Tan Xiaobing, Chairperson of the Chongqing Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association, shared Chongqing’s experience in protecting intangible cultural heritage. Representatives from Africa also presented vivid cases from their own countries. The exchange of ideas and perspectives provided new approaches to common challenges of intangible cultural heritage inheritance and protection against the backdrop of globalization.

To help participants gain a deeper understanding of Chongqing, the group joined the “8D Magic Metropolis” City Walk, passing through the Shibati Scenic Area and streets and alleys in the mountain city, discovering Chongqing’s fundamentals of intangible cultural heritage inheritance by tasting hotpot, experiencing folk crafts, and enjoying the grand scenery alongside the two rivers. They also felt the blending of global flair and local charm of this “city with vibrant nightlife.”

The participants also visited the Baiheliang Underwater Museum in Fuling District, where they marveled at the thousand-year-old hydrological stone inscriptions and modern protection technologies. At the 816 Project Scenic Area, they learned about the creativity and determination of China’s industrial construction period. The comparison between ancient and modern projects offered new insights into the role of science and technology in intangible cultural heritage protection.

Participants expressed that it was a great honor to visit Chongqing, to experience the city’s unique charm up close, and to learn advanced practices in intangible heritage inheritance and protection.

A representative from Chongqing Vocational College of Culture and Arts noted that Africa possesses rich and valuable intangible cultural heritage. It is hoped that through such high-level training and exchanges, a solid platform can be built for cultural managers, experts and scholars from China and Africa to share experience, inspire innovation and jointly safeguard the treasures of human civilization, contributing wisdom and strength to cultural diversity and sustainable development.

The Philippines “Hundred People” Travel Delegation Visiting Chongqing to Explore the Chongqing-Sichuan Cultural Tourism Corridor

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the Philippines. To deepen friendship and promote cultural and tourism cooperation, with the support of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development and the Port and Logistics Office of the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government, Air China, together with the Philippines’ main tour operator JSC, organized a 100-member Philippine travel delegation, which launched a five-day field visit on August 9.

The event served as a preliminary tour for the “Sichuan-Chongqing Five-Day Tour” premium product jointly developed by the government and firms. It was also another exploration of the “Entering Chongqing and Exiting from Chengdu; Entering Chengdu and Exiting from Chongqing” travel model, injecting new momentum into the global promotion of the Chongqing-Sichuan Culture and Tourism Corridor.

The delegation’s first stop was Chongqing. Participants strolled through the thousand-year-old Ciqikou Ancient Town, experiencing the Chongqing culture. By visiting the monorail passing through the building at Liziba Station, they marveled at the coexistence of everyday life and modern transportation. Philippine travel industry representatives walked in the Jiefangbei Commercial District, feeling the vitality of the international consumption center. By exploring TESTBED 2, they witnessed the artistic transformation of an industrial site. In front of the Guotai Arts Center, they appreciated Chongqing’s unique architectural aesthetics. By enjoying a night tour of Hongyadong Folk Customs Area, they immersed themselves in the spectacular nightscape of “a city surrounded by mountains and waters and filled with lights.” 

Representatives noted that Chongqing has remained popular on overseas social media platforms, making it highly attractive to Philippine tourists. They pointed out that tourism resources in the Philippines and Chongqing-Chengdu are highly complementary, giving them strong confidence in the market potential of the “Entering Chongqing and Exiting from Chengdu; Entering Chengdu and Exiting from Chongqing” travel route, and expressed hopes to deepen cooperation with the culture and tourism sectors in both regions.

A representative of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development stated that the event brought people innovative breakthroughs in mechanisms, products, markets, and promotion. By adopting the model of “enterprises taking the lead in organizing visitors, with the government providing support,” the initiative integrated aviation and tourism with inbound travel development in Sichuan and Chongqing, providing strong support for Chongqing’s role as an international aviation hub. By coordinating airline and high-speed rail resources in Sichuan and Chongqing, the travel experience was improved, creating synergy where “one plus one can equal more than two.” Travel agencies in Manila, Chongqing, and Chengdu have already agreed to include the route in their premium inbound tourism promotion. 

Targeting the mid-to-high-end Philippine market, a “Making the Most of a Short Trip” itinerary has been customized to enrich Chongqing’s inbound tourism offerings. With the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties as the backdrop, we will continue to develop the Philippine market, injecting lasting momentum into cultural and tourism cooperation between the two countries.