With Qingming Festival bringing together tradition and innovation, the city of Chongqing has become a hotspot for cultural tourism. Immersive experiences like ancient rituals, folk activities, and modern technology are creating new opportunities for both locals and tourists. How is this blending of culture and tourism helping drive consumer growth? Our reporter Wu Yunliu has more. 

During Qingming Festival, the fusion of tradition and innovation is perfectly embodied in this mountain city. Chongqing, a city with a rich history, showcases the charm of Qingming culture in a unique way.

YUE JINGZHU, Vice President and Secretary General, Chongqing Immigrant Culture Research Association "Qingming Festival is actually a double celebration. It's both a holiday and a festival. Over time, it has gradually evolved. In the beginning, Qingming was about honoring ancestors and loved ones. Later on, more entertaining activities like spring outings and kite flying were added."

At the Huguang Guild Hall in Chongqing, the Yu Wang sacrificial ceremony, which has a over 300-year history, attracts tourists globally every year. The event not only preserved the traditional rituals but also allowed tourists to actively participate and feel the charm of traditional culture.

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURIST "I am here to learn about the Chinese culture and the ceremony."

MOROCCAN TOURIST "I learned so much about the Chinese history from this ceremony."

Traditional folk activities like making green rice cakes and crafting kites are becoming part of the visitor experience. Through hands-on creation and interactive engagement, tourists not only deepen their understanding of the culture but also make their travel experiences more vivid and fun.

Chongqing's 18 Steps Traditional Style Area, a place where history and modernity meet, has also become a new hotspot for cultural and tourism consumption during the Qingming period.

In Chongqing's 18 Steps Traditional Style Area, during Qingming Festival we'll be holding an electric motorcycle experience camp. By integrating new energy motorcycles with the traditional historical scenery, we give visitors a unique experience of combining Chongqing's cutting-edge technology with its rich history during the Qingming holiday.

Through the creation of more diverse scenes and immersive experiences, we aim to attract a younger crowd, increase consumption scenarios, and achieve our goal of promoting consumption. During Qingming, we expect to receive over 500,000 visitors from both domestic and international markets.

Looking ahead, more cities like Chongqing will ignite the cultural tourism economy through rich cultural experiences and innovative consumption scenes, driving comprehensive economic development and sustained consumer vitality. Wu Yunliu, CGTN, Chongqing.