Author: jezzabellemente

NANJING, China, July 24, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

As sweltering summer heat shrouds Nanjing and hot waves surge through city streets, Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone sheds its gentle spring grace, covered in lush green woods and surrounded by leisurely sea of clouds. Its mountain-and-water Zen scenery blends harmoniously with profound cultural heritage. Tranquil healing landscapes unfold by day, while dazzling lights glow radiantly after dark. The dual charms of day and night weave a vivid cultural tourism scroll balancing dynamism and tranquility, bridging ancient and modern times, making it a poetic hidden retreat for summer leisure and cultural immersion in Nanjing.

Mountain Forest Healing & Daytime Cultural Feasts

In summer, the layered green ridges of Niushou Mountain form a cool sanctuary shut off from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Mountain breezes drift through the woods, carrying the sweet fragrance of lotus ponds, mild scent of plants and trees, and faint sandalwood drifting from ancient temples, gently soothing restlessness deep in visitors’ hearts. People may sit quietly by mountain streams to calm the mind, or meditate peacefully amid dappled forest light. Guests can also attend mountain singing bowl rituals and starry-night sound healing sessions guided by professional meditation instructors, embarking on a gentle journey of physical and mental rejuvenation amid nature.

Two brand-new cultural exhibition halls opened to the public this year. The Cultural and History Museum fully chronicles the thousand-year stories of the Niutou Chan School, Zheng He’s maritime voyages, and General Yue Fei’s great victory at Niutou Mountain. The Nanjing Buddhist Culture Museum presents special exhibitions showcasing 1,800 years of Zen heritage in Nanjing. Digital light and shadow technologies revitalize traditional intangible cultural heritage crafts, letting long-buried craftsmanship become tangible and immersive. The Maritime Silk Road Culture Week, held in July, brings together cultural scholars from home and abroad to explore the history of cultural integration along the ancient maritime trade route. Young students participating in study tours can copy Dunhuang murals and learn the craft of Nanjing gold foil forging. Weighty historical and cultural heritage is thus transformed into accessible daily experiences, touching every visitor who steps foot here.

Light & Shadow Zen Realm & Immersive Night Tour

As twilight drapes over the mine pit dome, countless lights of the Buddha Top Palace flicker to life, their shimmering reflections rippling across mirror-like ponds. Amid the interplay of reality and illusion, the grand architecture softens from its solemn daytime demeanor into an ethereal, gentle wonder. A limited summer-long night cultural exploration experience runs throughout the season: visitors wander the palace corridors with guide maps, chatting with live NPCs portraying intangible cultural heritage artisans. Collected craft imprints gathered along the way can be exchanged for exclusive cultural and creative souvenirs. Lotus-themed performances also take place in the front garden of the Buddha Top Palace, featuring lotus fairies leading the way and ancient literati composing poems along the waterfront. The melodious tunes of guzheng and bamboo flutes float with flowing water, painting the subtle, graceful poetic charm of a traditional Chinese summer night.

Lively, laid-back amusements also await guests this summer. The 3.6-kilometer mountain ring light-and-shadow track hosts fun night runs, while lawn starry-night live band performances create mellow outdoor parties, catering to both active and laid-back tastes. Many family groups come on weekends to embrace the evening breeze. Children get to experience intangible cultural crafts and trace historical tales amid light-adorned palaces, their light chatter echoing softly through the mountain woods.

This summer, Niushou Mountain encapsulates all the enchanting delights of midsummer in Nanjing. Days bring forest meditation, cultural exploration and elegant study tours; nights unfold light-and-shadow wonderlands and traditional Chinese performances. Blending mountain forest Zen healing, living heritage inheritance, cross-cultural exchanges, free public aesthetic education for youth, and all-age leisure experiences, the entire mountain relies on natural landscapes as its canvas and cultural heritage as its soul. It strips millennia of profound culture of its heavy barriers, presenting it to ordinary travelers in a warm, vivid manner.

Step away from the noisy urban traffic, cast off all restlessness amid Niushou Mountain’s refreshing breezes, starry skies and timeless Zen charm, find lasting peace and calm within, and embrace the gentle summer magic unique to Nanjing’s mountain wilderness.

Source: Niushou Mountain Cultural Tourism Zone 

–BERNAMA

^{Over 20 international mainstream media outlets explore innovation and vitality in Harbin.}

HARBIN, China, July 22, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

The 2026 International Mainstream Media Tour to Harbin, themed “Step into the Summer Capital of Ice City, Feel the Pulse of Innovation” under the Discover China in the New Era campaign initiated by Xinhua News & Information Center is held from July 20 to 23.

The Mainstream media representatives and internet influencers from 22 countries, including the United States, Canada, the Republic of Korea, Türkiye, Argentina, Brazil and Colombia, visit Harbin to experience its scientific and technological innovation, unique summer charm, profound history and culture, as well as openness and inclusiveness.

As China’s northernmost provincial capital, Harbin is a nationally renowned historical and cultural city, a hometown of Olympic champions, a City of Music designated by UNESCO, an international wetland city, and a world-class outstanding ice and snow tourism destination. The tour itinerary integrates industrial innovation, urban cultural tourism and humanistic heritage, enabling overseas media to witness the city’s development and changes up close and tell vivid stories of China in the new era to the world.

During the event, international journalists and influencers stroll along Central Avenue, immerse themselves in the citizen music carnival of “Charming Summer in Harbin” and visit the Dream Ice and Snow Museum. They tour high-tech enterprises to observe how the old industrial base advances industrial upgrading through scientific and technological innovation. They also visit the Harbin Institute of Technology Aerospace Museum, witnessing China’s progress in scientific and technological innovation from independent breakthroughs to open collaboration.

Source: Xinhua News & Information Center 

KUALA LUMPUR, July 17 (Bernama) — Abu Dhabi-based Modon Holding and Nammos Hotels & Resorts have unveiled Nammos Ras El Hekma, the hospitality brand’s first fully integrated destination in Egypt, as part of the US$35 billion Ras El Hekma masterplan on the country’s North Coast. (US$1=RM4.07)

Located within the Wadi Yemm precinct, the development will comprise Nammos Residences, Nammos Resort, Nammos Village, and the Nammos Restaurant & Beach Club, alongside wellness, retail and leisure facilities designed to offer a Mediterranean-inspired lifestyle.

Nammos Residences will feature 72 apartments and a penthouse, while Nammos Resort will offer 79 hotel keys across five accommodation categories. Residents and visitors will have access to hospitality, wellness and recreational amenities within the emerging coastal city.

Modon Holding Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Bill O’Regan said Ras El Hekma is rapidly emerging as one of the Mediterranean’s most ambitious destinations, adding that the project strengthens the company’s vision of developing a year-round city offering world-class living, leisure and investment opportunities.

Meanwhile, Nammos Chairman, Petros Stathis said the launch marks a significant milestone in the brand’s global expansion strategy, describing Egypt’s North Coast as an ideal location to extend the Nammos brand.

Nammos Hotels & Resorts CEO, Carolyn Turnbull said the destination has been designed to seamlessly integrate hospitality, residences and lifestyle experiences while reflecting the energy and identity that have defined the Nammos brand for more than two decades.

Nammos Ras El Hekma forms part of the 170.8 million square metre Ras El Hekma masterplan, which is expected to attract US$110 billion in investment by 2045, according to a statement.

Wadi Yemm is the first of the development’s 17 precincts to enter the delivery phase, with the wider project planned as a mixed-use city featuring residential, commercial, tourism and cultural districts supported by road, sea and air connectivity.

— BERNAMA