Tag: asia

GUIGANG’S 15TH LOTUS CULTURE SERIES BLOOMS, DRIVING TOURISM, SMART CULTURAL GROWTH

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 18 (Bernama) — Guigang, Guangxi in China, has officially launched the 15th Lotus Culture Series, a multi-month celebration that blends tradition, culture, and technology to fuel the city’s booming tourism sector.

Running from July to October, the event will feature theatrical performances, poetry contests, and the selection of “Top Lotus-Viewing Spots”, all aimed at deepening visitor engagement and cultural pride.

Endowed with exceptional ecological strengths, Guigang is building an ecotourism destination serving the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and ASEAN, with its “Three Mountains, One Gorge, One Culture” as the core.

Currently, the city boasts 52 national A-level tourist attractions, 37 rural tourist areas rated four-star or above, and 17 themed tourism camps, while its brand “Camping Paradise, Carefree Guigang” is gaining increasing acclaim.

According to the Publicity Department of Guigang City in a statement, Guigang welcomed over 32 million tourists in the first half of 2025, generating 30.121 billion Chinese yuan in tourism revenue, up 12.88 per cent and 13.87 per cent year on year, respectively. (100 Chinese yuan = RM58.82)

To extend its reach, the city is leveraging performances and events to boost urban development, which include the Guangxi division of the “Village Basketball Association”, the “Douyin Football Carnival”, the “Gangren Gangye Concert”, along with the hosting of the 15th National Games Basketball Qualifiers, highlighting its reputation as a “City of Sports, Capital of Leisure”.

The Douyin event alone earned 1.83 billion online exposures, pushing Guigang into the top three of Douyin’s city search rankings. These events generated significant spikes in hotel stays and local consumption, demonstrating a clear “event-driven, extended-stay” tourism pattern.

To sustain this momentum, Guigang is stepping up its three-year intensive campaign for the cultural and tourism industry, signing 22 new projects worth 2.401 billion Chinese yuan and accelerating 42 key cultural and tourism projects in the first half of 2025.

The city is also pushing forward with “culture-tourism + AI” integration, recently launching an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered interpretation system at the Pingnan County Museum.

With the Lotus Series in full bloom, Guigang once again embraces its millennium-old heritage as the “Lotus City”—inviting the world to explore its vibrant mix of natural beauty, cultural depth, and technological innovation.

— BERNAMA

​TOKYO SKYTREE Holds Event Celebrating 30th Anniversary of Toy Story

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

TOKYO, July 22, 2025 /Kyodo JBN/ —

TOBU TOWER SKYTREE Co., Ltd., the operator of TOKYO SKYTREE, is holding “To the Sky Beyond Imagination TOY STORY SKY IN TOKYO SKYTREE,” to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the “Toy Story” movie release. The event began on Thursday, July 17, and will last until Friday, October 31, 2025.

Key visual of “To the Sky Beyond Imagination TOY STORY SKY IN TOKYO SKYTREE”: https://cdn.kyodonewsprwire.jp/prwfile/release/M108036/202507041716/_prw_PI1fl_N616C18M.jpg

Special website of “To the Sky Beyond Imagination TOY STORY SKY IN TOKYO SKYTREE”: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/event/special/toystory/

In areas such as the 450-meter-high Tembo Galleria, visitors can immerse themselves in the world of Toy Story through the exhibition and interior decorations. Also offered on this floor are limited-edition goods that are only available at the event and special cafe menu items. On the 350-meter-high Tembo Deck, exclusive videos are screened on the windows converted into a giant screen of SKYTREE ROUND THEATER every night of the event. During the evening, the exterior of the tower will have a special Toy Story-themed lighting inspired by various characters from the movie series.

The event’s exclusive key visual depicts the movie characters visiting TOKYO SKYTREE reimagined as a playroom in the clouds.

TOBU TOWER SKYTREE hopes that those who come to Japan will visit and enjoy TOKYO SKYTREE on the occasion of the event.

About TOKYO SKYTREE
The 634-meter-high TOKYO SKYTREE is the world’s tallest free-standing broadcasting tower. It has two observation decks, the Tembo Deck, 350 meters high, and the Tembo Galleria, 450 meters high, commanding a spectacular panoramic view of Tokyo. At night, TOKYO SKYTREE is colorfully lit up in three lighting styles — “Iki,” characterized by a pale blue, “Miyabi,” featuring Edo purple, and the “Nobori” auspicious tangerine hue. Special lighting can be seen during seasonal and other events.

Official website: https://www.tokyo-skytree.jp/en/

For more details, please check each social media account:
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyoskytree_global/
Official X: https://twitter.com/skytreeofficial

Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TOKYOSKYTREE.official/

Source: TOBU TOWER SKYTREE Co., Ltd.

BUNS, BEATS & BEYOND: HONG KONG SPRINGS TO LIFE WITH FESTIVAL FEVER

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 (Bernama) — The annual Cheung Chau Bun Festival, one of Hong Kong’s most iconic cultural celebrations, is set to return on May 5 to 6, marking the beginning of a packed spring of traditional festivals, arts showcases, and international sporting events across the city.

Held on the island of Cheung Chau, the festival is steeped in history and folklore, honouring Pak Tai, a sea deity believed to have saved the island from a plague in the 18th century.

According to the Hong Kong Tourism Board in a statement, since 2011, it has been recognised on China’s national list of intangible cultural heritage.

Among the highlights of this year’s programme are the Climbing Carnival on April 27, featuring games and performances; the vibrant Piu Sik Parade on May 5, where children dressed as deities and public figures appear to float above the crowd; and the adrenaline-pumping Bun-Scrambling Competition, which takes place at midnight on May 5 to 6, where climbers race up a 14-metre tower to collect the most lucky buns.

In conjunction with Labour Day Golden Week (May 1 to 5), the city will also host a 12-minute drone light show set to music along the Wan Chai Temporary Promenade on May 1, offering a dazzling display framed by Hong Kong’s iconic skyline.

The festival forms part of Cultural Beat, a citywide initiative celebrating Hong Kong’s unique cultural heritage. Other major events include the Buddha Bathing Ceremony at Po Lin Monastery (April 29 to May 5), the Tam Kung Festival in Eastern District (April 29 to May 7), and the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races (June 7 to 8).

Art and culture enthusiasts can also look forward to the Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong (May 22 to 25), the French May Arts Festival (ongoing until July 13), and the Chinese Culture Festival (June to September).

New highlights this year include Cirque du Soleil’s KOOZA (from May 21) and the Picasso for Asia—A Conversation exhibition at M+, featuring over 60 works by the legendary artist.

Sports fans will not be left out, with the Volleyball Nations League Hong Kong 2025 taking place from June 18 to 22, bringing together six top international teams in a high-energy tournament.

With a diverse lineup of celebrations throughout the season, Hong Kong invites residents and visitors alike to experience its rich blend of tradition and modernity.

— BERNAMA

Aggregating World Heritage Resources to Drive High-Quality Development of Fujian’s Cultural Tourism

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

NANPING, China, Apr. 14, 2025 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

Wuyi National Park

With the theme of “Cultivating Cultural Tourism as the Pillar Industry”, the 2025 Fujian Provincial Conference on the Development of Cultural and Tourism Economy will be held in Nanping City, Fujian Province, from April 17th to 19th.

Shortly before the conference opens, under the guidance of the Fujian Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, six major 5A-level scenic areas — Mt. Wuyi Scenic Area, Kulangsu Tourist Area, Fujian Tulou (Yongding) Scenic Area, Fujian Tulou (Nanjing) Scenic Area, Taining Scenic Tourist Area, and Quanzhou Mt. Qingyuan Scenic Area — jointly initiated the establishment of the Fujian’s World Heritage 5A Scenic Area Alliance. This initiative lays a solid foundation for Fujian to integrate its world heritage resources, further promoting the province’s goal of becoming a world-renowned tourist destination. It also marks a significant step forward in the province’s pursuit of coordinated and high-quality cultural tourism development.

Mt. Wuyi, as the only World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site and National Park in Fujian Province, is also the distinguished symbol of Nanping, the host of this conference. In recent years, Nanping City has leveraged the strategic value of Mt. Wuyi National Park to enhance its “Greater Wuyi Cultural and Tourism Circle” brand and promote the development of the “Mt. Wuyi Protection and Development Belt”. The city has pioneered the construction of China’s first national park scenic road system and developed a range of themed tourism products, including biodiversity education tours and Danxia landscape photography experiences. These efforts have contributed to the creation of a “Nanping Model” that harmonizes ecological preservation with cultural and tourism development.

In addition, utilizing the resources of Mt. Wuyi National Park, Fujian Province has actively engaged in international cooperation in areas such as cultural tourism, environmental conservation, and biodiversity research with countries along the Belt and Road Initiative, harvesting significant outcomes.

World Heritage Sites are treasures shared by all humanity. Fujian continues to make exemplary use of these resources to create a “go phenomenal” effect for its cultural tourism, and generate higher appeal to an international audience. From Quanzhou, the “World Heritage City” known for its Maritime Silk Road heritage, to Kulangsu, the “Island of Music” decorated with diverse global architecture; from the Fujian Tulou, which embodies the wisdom and ingenuity of the local people, to the spectacular natural landscapes of Taining Danxia and the dual heritage status of Mt. Wuyi.

Source: Organizing Committee of the 2025 Fujian Provincial Conference on the Development of Cultural and Tourism Economy

–BERNAMA

HKTB VIDEO SERIES SHOWCASES HONG KONG’S OUTDOOR WONDERS

by jezzabellemente, posted in Uncategorized

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) — The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched a new video series, titled “Four Corners of Hong Kong”, featuring four captivating short films that take viewers on a journey to the city’s four corners, namely north, south, east and west, showcasing the city’s breathtaking landscapes and rich ecotourism experiences.

The series also showcases Hong Kong’s diverse scenery that offers an irresistible invitation for visitors to experience the city’s extraordinary natural beauty, with the first full video of the four-part series having been released on the Discover Hong Kong YouTube channel.

The first video takes viewers into the splendour of Hong Kong UNESCO Global Geopark and features awe-inspiring geological wonders such as the rhyolitic hexagonal rock columns, which were crafted over millions of years by nature’s hand.

HKTB in a statement said the remaining three episodes will come one after another throughout the coming fortnight, and the video will also be released on the HKTB’s Xiaohongshu, Douyin and Weibo platforms.

The videos transport viewers on an epic, fun-filled adventure in four spectacular corners of Hong Kong, climbing mountains and diving into the sea, travelling east to Sai Kung, south to Po Toi Island, Stanley, and Ap Lei Chau, west to Lantau Island, and north to Robin’s Nest Country Park.

Each location has its own special charm and offers a distinct outdoor experience, demonstrating the diverse appeal and boundless potential of ecotourism in Hong Kong.

HKTB has also teamed up with celebrities from Thailand and Taiwan who bring a sprinkle of stardust to carry the video campaign to a wider audience. The videos, imbued with the unique charisma of the celebrities, are tailored to captivate worldwide audiences via compelling storytelling and mesmerising landscapes.

In addition, HKTB is also ramping up its efforts to promote outdoor activities and trail-running events to overseas visitors following the runaway success of the TransLantau by UTMB and Hong Kong 100 Ultra Marathon races last year.

Looking ahead, with initiatives targeting key markets, including Mainland China, Southeast Asia, the United Kingdom, and India, HKTB aims to position Hong Kong as a premier destination for adventure and green tourism.

— BERNAMA