Chongqing Shizhu Tujia Ethnic Tourism Promotion Event Held in Guangzhou to Expand Greater Bay Area Market.
The “Fengqing Tujia · Health and Wellness Shizhu” tourism promotion event (Guangzhou station) was held on April 24, aiming to enhance the visibility and influence of cultural tourism resources in Shizhu Tujia Autonomous County within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and to further deepen tourism exchanges and cooperation between Chongqing and Guangdong.
Scene from the promotion event.
Shizhu is located in eastern Chongqing, on the southern bank of the Yangtze River, and at the heart of the Three Gorges Reservoir area. It is the only ethnic minority autonomous county in the reservoir region. The area boasts a long cultural heritage, stunning scenery, and outstanding transportation advantages, closely connecting with neighboring provinces such as Sichuan, Shaanxi, Hubei, and Hunan.
In recent years, Shizhu has adhered to a development path of “comprehensive health and green rise,” closely following the “Fengqing Tujia · Health and Wellness Shizhu” positioning. Relying on its excellent ecological environment and rich Tujia culture, the county has comprehensively promoted the quality and efficiency of cultural tourism and health industries, fostering vigorous growth.
The promotion event fully showcased Shizhu’s abundant natural landscapes and unique cultural customs. Among the highlights, Qianye Grassland is known as “Chongqing’s Most Beautiful Grassland” and “Camping Paradise,” integrating ten thousand acres of stone forests, firethorn bushes, forests, and grasslands. Xituo Ancient Town features Yunti Street, known as “the first street along the Yangtze River,” and is one of the first famous historical and cultural towns in China. Dafeng Fort has a forest coverage rate of over 95% and extremely high levels of negative oxygen ions, making it a “natural oxygen bar.” Guanghan Palace is the core scenic area of the Qiyao Mountain National Geopark, famous for its karst cave wonders and immersive experiences based on the Chang’e legend.
Xituo Ancient Town.
Additionally, Shizhu boasts rich cultural heritage, including the national intangible cultural heritage “Shizhu Tujia Luo’er Tune” and the world classic folk song “The Sun Comes Out Joyfully,” as well as specialty foods like water shield, Tujia cured meat, and du ba. The county has launched a year-round tourism product featuring “spring flower viewing, summer escape, autumn leaf viewing, and winter skiing.”
At the promotion event, a strategic cooperation agreement was signed between Chongqing Shizhu Agricultural Tourism Integrated Development Group and Guangzhou Guangzhilv International Travel Service under Lingnan Holdings. The travel agency has optimized the “Chongqing Wulong + Shizhu” product route, introducing the “Huayu Xianzong” activity along the route, incorporating elements such as flower viewing at Qianye Grassland, intangible cultural heritage performances at Xituo Ancient Town, a double grassland experience, and hot spring hotels, which have been widely welcomed by tourists.
The tourism cooperation foundation between Guangdong and Chongqing is deep, and Shizhu’s rich and distinctive tourism resources, especially its unique health and summer escape resources and ethnic culture, are highly attractive to the Guangdong market.
Qianye Grassland
Qianye Grassland, located in the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau of China, is a vast alpine meadow known for its lush green landscapes and rich biodiversity. Historically, it has been a vital grazing area for local ethnic groups, such as the Yi and Miao peoples, and served as a strategic corridor along ancient trade routes. Today, it is a popular tourist destination, offering visitors a glimpse into traditional pastoral life and spectacular natural scenery
Qianye Grassland
Qianye Grassland, located in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, is a vast, picturesque highland prairie known for its rolling green hills and diverse ecosystems. Historically, the area has been inhabited by ethnic Zhuang and Yao communities, who have maintained traditional pastoral lifestyles and cultural practices there for centuries. Today, it serves as a popular destination for eco-tourism and outdoor activities, offering visitors a chance to experience its serene landscapes and rich local heritage.
Xituo Ancient Town
Xituo Ancient Town, located in Shizhu County, Chongqing, China, is a historic riverside settlement with a history spanning over 1,900 years. It thrived as a key port and commercial hub along the Yangtze River during the Ming and Qing dynasties, featuring well-preserved traditional architecture and stone-paved streets. Today, it offers visitors a glimpse into ancient Chinese trade and culture, with its distinctive stilted houses and scenic river views.
Dafeng Fort
Dafeng Fort is a historic military fortress located in Dafeng District, Yancheng, Jiangsu Province, China. Originally built during the Ming Dynasty to defend against coastal piracy, it played a key role in regional maritime security. Today, the site stands as a cultural relic, offering visitors insight into China’s coastal defense history and architectural heritage.
Guanghan Palace
Guanghan Palace, also known as the “Cold Palace,” is a legendary celestial palace in Chinese mythology, often associated with the Moon and the goddess Chang’e. According to folklore, it was built as a residence for Chang’e after she consumed the elixir of immortality and ascended to the moon. The palace is frequently depicted in classical Chinese literature and poetry as a symbol of solitude and ethereal beauty.
Qiyao Mountain National Geopark
Qiyao Mountain National Geopark, located in Hunan Province, China, is renowned for its unique Danxia landform characterized by red sandstone cliffs and striking peaks. The area has a geological history spanning hundreds of millions of years, shaped by tectonic activity and erosion. It also holds cultural significance as a site of ancient quarrying, with historical records indicating stone mining activities dating back over a thousand years.
Shizhu Tujia Luo’er Tune
“Shizhu Tujia Luo’er Tune” is a traditional folk song form originating from the Tujia ethnic group in Shizhu County, Chongqing, China. It dates back centuries, emerging from the daily labor and mountain life of the Tujia people, often performed with a distinctive nasal tone and accompanied by simple percussion. This cultural treasure was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006, showcasing the unique musical heritage and oral traditions of the Tujia community.
The Sun Comes Out Joyfully
“The Sun Comes Out Joyfully” is a vibrant public art installation or cultural site, likely named to evoke a sense of optimism and renewal. While its specific history is not widely documented, such sites often celebrate community resilience or natural beauty, drawing inspiration from local folklore or seasonal changes. It serves as a gathering place where art and nature blend, inviting visitors to reflect on joy and the enduring cycle of light.
Three Gorges Reservoir area
The Three Gorges Reservoir area is the region along the Yangtze River in central China that was flooded following the construction of the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest hydroelectric project, completed in 2012. This massive reservoir submerged numerous towns, archaeological sites, and ancient cultural relics, some dating back thousands of years, while also requiring the relocation of over a million residents. Today, the area is known for its dramatic landscape of steep gorges, altered ecosystems, and its role in flood control, power generation, and navigation.
