Reading Xi’an’s enduring vitality from the notes of Qinqiang Opera

XI’AN, China, Oct 2 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In September, the resonant notes of Qinqiang Opera cut through the rain over Xi’an, northwest China’s Shaanxi Province, bridging the past and present. From 8 to 10 September 2026, the 2026 “Qinqiang Opera, Resonating Across the World” Xi’an International Communication Event was held in the city, with media support from Global Times Online.

The event gathered young international content creators and international students from eight countries including Russia, France, Pakistan, Mexico and Nepal. They visited opera troupes, schools and online audiovisual creation sites, experiencing the living cultural pulse of this millennia-old ancient capital through this local opera art form. 

At Xi’an Yisu Society, founded in 1912, the young guests watched Qinqiang opera performances and learned the history of this century-old opera house. Guided by professional instructors, they tried on opera costumes, had traditional makeup applied and practiced stage movements.

Performers from the Shaanxi Opera Research Institute demonstrated the art’s basic techniques. Those seemingly simple glances, postures and vocal delivery all come from years of relentless daily training. 

On a school campus, they discovered another facet of Qinqiang opera. Children earnestly learned its vocal styles, weaving this ancient art naturally into their growth. Nepalese content creator Regmi Aksara remarked: “I used to think Qinqiang opera was something confined to history. This time I realized it is alive and unfolding right before our eyes.”

Beyond tradition, Xi’an keeps exploring innovative forms of cultural expression. At an online audiovisual creation base, the young guests experimented with digital technologies including VR and XR, and learned about production workflows for live-action short dramas and AI comic animations. From content creation to digital technologies, they witnessed fresh cultural practices taking root in Xi’an.

During their multi-day tour, these young visitors from different nations found that a city’s charm lies in its tangible, fleeting moments: a Qinqiang opera aria drifting through rain, a group of children earnestly learning opera, an immersive video experience, or a living story still unfolding.

It is these subtle details that have reshaped their perception of Xi’an, turning their stereotype of a time-honored ancient capital into a concrete, lively and living city.

From the time-honored opera house to campus classrooms, and from traditional opera art to digital creation, Xi’an’s cultural heritage endures in daily life and thrives through innovative new expressions. 

Contact Person: Zhou Xin
Email: zhouxin1@huanqiu.com
Website: https://english.huanqiu.com/

Photos accompanying:

SOURCE: Global Times Online

Dehua white porcelain, Songxi agricultural products shine at UN Building, Beijing

Table

Dehua white porcelain, Songxi agricultural products shine at the United Nations Building in Beijing in September.

FUZHOU, China, Sept. 30, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

In September, the IFAD-SSTC Marketplace on Agricultural Technology Innovation and Investment opened at the United Nations Building in Beijing. Hosted by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the event aimed to build a targeted South-South cooperation platform to showcase China’s agricultural achievements and share replicable solutions. Over 120 participants attended, including diplomats from 17 embassies and representatives from seven UN agencies in China.

Dehua County, a mountainous county in southeast China’s Fujian Province, brought white porcelain works including Flourishing Flower Basket and Quanzhou Nanyin (a sculpture inspired by UNESCO-listed Nanyin music from Quanzhou, a historic port city in Fujian), alongside wild red mushrooms, alpine tea oil and Chinese yam. Nii Quaye-Kumah, IFAD Representative in China, said he was “deeply impressed” by the exquisite ceramic artistry. Julio Worman, IFAD analyst for Latin America and the Caribbean, inquired about porcelain-making techniques and watched a tea ceremony. “Despite vast cultural differences between East and West, there are striking similarities,” he said. “It was a wonderful tasting experience.”

Dehua, one of the birthplaces of Chinese ceramic culture, is a national white porcelain hub with over 4,000 enterprises generating 76 billion yuan (approx. £7.9 billion / $10.7 billion) annually. It is China’s largest producer and exporter of ceramic crafts, tea sets and planters. Dehua aims to share its porcelain’s beauty with a wider international audience.

Songxi County, a rural county in Nanping City and its sole county-level exhibitor, presented century-old sugarcane pastries, Huaqiao bitter bamboo shoots (a local variety named after Huaqiao Township), Jiulong white tea (literally “Nine-Dragon White Tea”), green tea, black tea and matcha. Ama Brandford-Arthur, IFAD Global Coordinator for South-South and Triangular Cooperation, said Songxi had successfully linked rare germplasm resources, traditional farming and modern branding to bring mountain produce to market, a model with valuable lessons for the Global South.

Wu Wei, Secretary of Songxi County, said the exhibition offered a vital opportunity to advance opening-up and deepen international agricultural cooperation. Songxi will use the platform to absorb advanced ideas, pool quality resources and drive industrial upgrading.

Nestled between Wuyi Mountain (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Baishanzu National Park, Songxi is home to a sugarcane planting system first established in 1727 during the Qing Dynasty, with the mother cane still sprouting after nearly 300 years. Local teas hold national geographical indication certifications, and the Songxi bamboo sugarcane cultivation system is recognised as a China Important Agricultural Heritage.

During the event, guests discussed cross-border agricultural trade, technology exchange and value-chain enhancement. Both stands emerged as the most-visited, broadening international visibility and injecting fresh momentum into China’s county-level speciality industries going global.

SOURCE: Publicity Department of the Dehua County Committee & Publicity Department of the Songxi County Committee

MALAYSIA WELCOMES FIRST MEDICAL TOURISM FAMILIARISATION TRIP FOR HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS FROM UZBEKISTAN AND KAZAKHSTAN

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 6 (Bernama) — As demand for Malaysia’s healthcare services continues to grow across Central Asia, Malaysia is welcoming senior healthcare professionals from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan for its first Medical Tourism Familiarisation Trip organised by Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) and Tourism Malaysia (TM), designed to deepen professional collaboration and expand referral opportunities between the regions. the initiative reflects the growing demand for Malaysian healthcare services across the region and aims to foster knowledge exchange and long-term partnerships between medical institutions in Malaysia and Central Asia.

From 3 to 10 August 2026, the programme brings together 16 distinguished healthcare professionals, including practicing physicians, professors and senior medical specialists from Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, for an immersive study visit throughout the programme. Participants will gain first-hand insight into Malaysia’s internationally recognised healthcare ecosystem and integrated approach to healthcare travel.

During the week-long programme, the delegation will visit four of Malaysia’s leading private healthcare institutions including Gleneagles Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Pantai Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Prince Court Medical Centre, and Sunway Medical Centre. Participants will meet with hospital management teams, doctors and specialists to discuss clinical excellence, healthcare quality standards, international patient management and the practical aspects of delivering seamless care to international patients.

The initiative comes at a time of growing interest in Malaysia’s healthcare sector across Central Asia. In 2025, healthcare travel revenue from Kazakhstan increased by 29.4%, rising from approximately USD 400,000 to USD 520,000, while Uzbekistan recorded a 30.8% increase, growing from around USD 305,000 to USD 400,000. The consistent growth in both markets highlights the region’s rising importance as a source of international patients and reflects increasing confidence in Malaysia’s high-quality, internationally accredited healthcare services. Malaysia currently attracts around 1.84 million international patients each year, resulting in over USD 770 million in healthcare travel revenue annually. The country’s healthcare system includes over 90 partner hospitals and providers, delivering internationally recognized expertise in various fields such as cardiology, oncology, orthopaedics, fertility treatments, and dentistry. 

Dato’ Suriaghandi said the familiarisation programme reflects MHTC’s commitment to building stronger professional relationships with healthcare communities in emerging markets while creating greater awareness of Malaysia’s healthcare capabilities among key medical decision-makers. He noted that healthcare professionals play an important role in influencing patients’ healthcare choices, making long-term engagement essential in strengthening Malaysia’s position as a preferred medical tourism destination.

“Trust is at the heart of every healthcare journey. By welcoming healthcare professionals to experience Malaysia’s healthcare ecosystem first-hand, we hope to foster meaningful relationships built on confidence, knowledge and shared commitment to patient care. That is the essence of Healing Meets Hospitality where clinical excellence is complemented by genuine compassion, creating a healthcare experience that patients can trust.” Dato’ Suriaghandi Suppiah, CEO of MHTC.

Beyond the professional visits, the delegation will also experience Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage through visits to Kuala Lumpur, the UNESCO World Heritage city of Melaka and Putrajaya. By combining world-class healthcare with renowned hospitality, modern infrastructure and diverse tourism experiences, Malaysia offers international patients a comprehensive healthcare travel journey that extends well beyond medical treatment.

Photo can be found in this link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/15D6oZDyMxbpR4tLuADIe64hRM-LTX3V2?usp=drive_link

SOURCE: Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Muhammad Rasydan Ma’at
Head of Unit
PR and Media
Communications
Tel: +603 8776 6168
Email: rasydan.m@mhtc.org.my
 
Name: Mohamad Shahizam Fauzi                                                       
Head, Communications
Tel: +603 8776 6168                                                                                     
Email: shahizam.f@mhtc.org.my 

–BERNAMA

Rolling Through History: Discover Gunshanzhu, Guizhou’s Legendary Miao Dance

Gunshanzhu trainees in Zhuchang Township, Nayong County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province, perform the traditional climbing formation.

BIJIE, China, Aug. 5, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

Deep in the mountains of Zhuchang Township, Nayong County, Bijie City, Guizhou Province, a unique Miao ethnic dance has been passed down for generations. Known as gunshanzhu, or the “Pearl of the Guizhou Plateau,” this remarkable art form is more than a performance. It carries the memories of Miao migration, rich cultural traditions, and the enduring spirit of the Miao people.

According to legend, during the ancient migration of the Miao people, their journey was filled with rugged mountains and thorny paths. To help their people pass through the wilderness, brave Miao youths used their own bodies to roll through the thorn bushes, creating a path for their community. To honor this courage and hardship, later generations recreated these rolling movements and developed them into a unique lusheng dance. Every roll is a tribute to their ancestors. Every leap reflects the resilience of the Miao people.

Gunshanzhu is one of the most challenging forms of Miao ethnic dance. Performers wear embroidered white jackets and pheasant-feathered hats while playing six-pipe lusheng instruments. The greatest challenge is that the melody must never stop. Even while performing extremely difficult movements, dancers must continue playing the lusheng without interruption.

During performances, dancers roll and spin between bowls filled with water, balancing their bodies with remarkable precision. They perform breathtaking movements such as the Flying Swallows, Human Pyramid, and Rolling Dragon. The seamless combination of music, movement, breath, and strength creates the unique beauty of this ancient art.

Since the 1990s, gunshanzhu has earned recognition both at home and internationally for its unique artistic value and cultural significance. In 2006, it was included in the first batch of China’s national intangible cultural heritage list.

Behind its preservation is the decades-long dedication of Wang Jingcai, a national-level inheritor of gunshanzhu. By incorporating acrobatic elements into the traditional dance, he helped bring this art form from remote communities to the world stage. Today, local schools have introduced gunshanzhu courses, allowing younger generations to continue this cultural legacy.

Gunshanzhu is a living historical record and a symbol of the Miao people’s perseverance. When the sound of the lusheng rises and dancers begin to roll and leap, audiences witness more than extraordinary skills. They see a thousand-year-old memory, a cherished tradition, and the enduring spirit of a people.

Source: Nayong Yongkang Cultural Tourism Investment & Development Co., Ltd.

–BERNAMA

The world’s best travel “dupes” to avoid overtourism

DUBLIN, Aug 5 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — There are some iconic destinations that never go out of style, such as Venice, Aspen, Kyoto or Ibiza, but in recent years the desire to escape crowded tourist hotspots has grown just as quickly. More travellers are looking to enjoy the same breathtaking scenery and cultural experiences without the crowds, queues or higher prices.

This summer, the biggest travel trend isn’t swapping one crowded destination for another nearby; it’s crossing borders entirely.

Holafly’s first Travel Dupe Index identifies the best international alternatives to some of the world’s most iconic destinations by comparing visual and cultural similarity, accommodation costs, overtourism, accessibility and social momentum. Unlike traditional “dupe” rankings, every alternative is located in a different country from the destination it replaces, offering travellers a genuinely new experience while maintaining the same appeal.

The results reveal that the best alternative to Venice isn’t elsewhere in Italy, but Ghent, Belgium, whose medieval canals and historic architecture offer a remarkably similar atmosphere while experiencing significantly lower tourism pressure. The ranking also highlights alternatives such as Banff instead of Aspen, Jeonju instead of Kyoto, and Budva instead of Ibiza, with travellers saving up to 83% on accommodation depending on the destination.

Travel dupes are becoming an alternative to overtourism

As overtourism continues to affect many of the world’s best-known destinations, travellers are increasingly looking beyond obvious substitutes. Rather than replacing one crowded destination with another nearby, international travel dupes allow visitors to discover similar landscapes, architecture and cultural experiences while reducing costs and avoiding peak visitor numbers.

The world’s best travel dupes

RankTravel DupeInstead of
 
1Ghent, BelgiumVenice, Italy
   
2Banff, CanadaAspen, United States
   
3Jeonju, South KoreaKyoto, Japan
   
4Budva, MontenegroIbiza, Spain
   
5Cascais, PortugalSaint-Tropez, France
   
6Lake Ohrid, North MacedoniaLake Como, Italy
   
7Las Terrenas, Dominican RepublicTulum, Mexico
   
8Menton, FranceAmalfi Coast, Italy
   
9Ciudad Perdida, ColombiaMachu Picchu, Peru
   
10Siargao, PhilippinesBali, Indonesia

Methodology

To identify the world’s best travel dupes, Holafly compared ten iconic destinations with international alternatives using a weighted scoring model. Each destination pair was evaluated across five criteria: visual and cultural similarity (25%), measuring how closely the alternative replicates the look and feel of the original; accommodation savings (25%), based on average peak-season hotel prices; overtourism contrast (20%), comparing visitor pressure between the original destination and its alternative; accessibility (15%), considering flight availability and travel times; and social momentum (15%), analysing Instagram, TikTok and online search trends to identify emerging destinations.

To ensure the ranking highlighted genuinely new travel experiences, every alternative had to be located in a different country than the destination it replaces, with no more than two alternatives from the same country included in the final ranking. This methodology prioritises destinations that deliver a similar experience while providing better value, fewer crowds and the opportunity to discover somewhere new.

Media contact: press@holafly.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3f1e0551-dbc0-4ba9-95f6-3c4ac7c55993

SOURCE: Holafly

–BERNAMA