The 2026 World Tourism Cities Federation Beijing Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit opened on June 2 at the Zhongguancun International Innovation Center in Beijing. The summit was hosted by the World Tourism Cities Federation and co-organized by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism and the Haidian District People’s Government.

With the theme “Digital Intelligence Leading the Future of Tourism,” the summit attracted representatives from 56 countries and regions and 73 cities. During the opening ceremony, the “2026 World Tourism Destination Digital Competitiveness Report,” jointly prepared by the World Tourism Cities Federation and the Pacific Asia Travel Association, was released. The report provides a systematic and comprehensive evaluation of major global tourism cities from multiple dimensions, including digital infrastructure deployment, smart application implementation, and data service construction. Ten major technology application scenarios for Beijing’s cultural tourism were unveiled, covering diverse areas such as robot smart services, AI travel butlers, seamless convenient access, and digital artifact activation. These scenarios span the entire travel cycle and the full chain of cultural tourism operations, showcasing Beijing’s recent achievements in empowering cultural tourism development through technology.

The World Tourism Cities Federation is the world’s first international tourism organization with cities as its main members, initiated by Beijing. It currently has 263 members. The Fragrant Hills Tourism Summit is the federation’s annual flagship event.

Fragrant Hills

Fragrant Hills, located in the Haidian District of Beijing, is a historic imperial garden and scenic area renowned for its lush vegetation and autumn foliage. Originally developed during the Jin Dynasty, it served as a royal retreat and was later expanded by Emperor Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, featuring temples, pagodas, and tranquil pavilions. Today, it is a popular public park and cultural site, offering visitors a glimpse of China’s imperial garden design and natural beauty.

Zhongguancun International Innovation Center

The Zhongguancun International Innovation Center is a modern hub located in Beijing’s renowned Zhongguancun district, often called “China’s Silicon Valley.” Historically, this area evolved from a quiet university district in the 1980s into a major technology and innovation cluster, spurred by government reforms and the rise of Chinese tech giants. Today, the center serves as a global platform for startups, research institutions, and international collaboration, driving cutting-edge advancements in fields like AI and biotech.

Beijing

Beijing, the capital of China, is one of the world’s most historic cities, with a history spanning over 3,000 years. It served as the imperial capital for the Ming and Qing dynasties, leaving behind iconic landmarks like the Forbidden City and the Great Wall. Today, it is a vibrant modern metropolis that seamlessly blends its rich cultural heritage with rapid development.