On September 14, the 2025 China Culture and Tourism Expo was bustling with visitors.
On September 14, the 2025 China Culture and Tourism Expo concluded successfully in Wuhan, presenting a cultural feast that bridged ancient and modern times and blended the virtual with the real.
The 100,000-square-meter exhibition space unfolded like a grand “scroll of the future.” Over just three days, it attracted 220,000 visitors for immersive experiences. Robots that could recite poetry, guide tours, and even dance with guests moved among the crowds. VR technology brought to life the moonlight over Yellow Crane Tower, the depths of the Qin Mausoleum, and the rushing waters of the Three Gorges.
Here, technology was no longer cold jargon but a tangible, interactive, and resonant new experience, quietly reshaping how people perceive the world.
Here, the “future of cultural tourism” was vividly previewed, and host province Hubei seized the opportunity to transform from a cultural resource powerhouse into a model of cultural and tourism innovation.
“Shenwuxia” and “Chihuanghong” Make a Splash
In the “Zhiyin Hubei” exhibition area, a 6-meter-high LED screen shaped like the Qin bamboo slips from Yunmang Shuihudi instantly transported visitors into the long history of Jingchu civilization. The most curious attractions were the two major cultural and tourism axes: “Shenwuxia” and “Chihuanghong.”
“Come quick, this is the ‘Chihuanghong’ route,” exclaimed Aunt Li, a tourist from Changsha, excitedly pointing at the display in the Xianning exhibition area. This Jingfeng Chuyun cultural tourism route links the ancient battlefield of Chibi, Yellow Crane Tower, and the Red Memorial Park in Hong’an, allowing visitors to experience the Three Kingdoms’ history, urban charm, and red culture in one trip.
Accompanied by the melodious tune of “Chibi New Tide,” actors dressed in exquisite ancient costumes portraying Zhou Yu and Cao Cao took the stage, instantly transporting the audience back to the era of rival warlords. The Chibi watchtower exhibition area was crowded with tourists taking photos, and many foreign visitors eagerly took pictures with the actors.
In the Wuhan pavilion, Yellow Crane Tower made a stunning appearance in a new digital form: mechanical数控 matrix screens, circular screen projections, and light-illusion Yangtze River installations worked together to recreate the tower’s millennia-old grandeur in an audiovisual spectacle. The most eye-catching was the “human-robot dance” performance—five Guanggudongzhi robots coordinated seamlessly with dancers to recreate the dazzling “Phoenix Nirvana” scene from the Spring Festival Gala.
Meanwhile, the “Shenwuxia” route took visitors on a journey through natural wonders. This international eco-cultural tourism route spans central China, connecting 12 national 5A-level scenic spots including Shennongjia, Wudang Mountain, the Yangtze River Three Gorges, and Enshi Grand Canyon, making it a condensed version of Hubei’s natural and cultural landscapes.
On the opening day, the themed float “Shenwuxia,” jointly created by Shennongjia, Shiyan, and Enshi, made a spectacular debut. The float’s three-dimensional design vividly showcased Shennongjia’s rare flora and fauna, Wudang Mountain’s ancient architecture, and the majestic Enshi Grand Canyon, drawing countless onlookers.
During the expo, the Shennongjia exhibition area also launched a VR experience that allowed visitors to instantly “teleport” to Shennongjia’s winter and experience “cloud skiing.” “It’s amazing—I must go skiing in Shennongjia this winter,” said Niannian, a Fujian student studying in Wuhan.
The “Xiaoyao Wudang” VR project at the Hubei Digital Culture and Tourism Experience Hall was also hugely popular. Using large-space precision positioning technology, it fully recreated the wonders of Wudang Mountain’s nine palaces, eight temples, 72 peaks, 36 cliffs, and 24 streams. The Yichang exhibition area, designed around the “Yangtze River Three Gorges No. 1” electric cruise ship, vividly displayed Yichang’s cruise tourism and Yangtze River conservation efforts. The “Qu Yuan’s Heavenly Questions” interactive session was full of fun, with visitors winning prizes by answering questions about Qu Yuan culture.
Several exhibitors from Shandong marveled after their visit: “The richness of Hubei’s cultural and tourism resources and the innovation in development methods far exceeded our expectations.
