Amid the cultural tourism boom, this year's National Day holiday in China has seen growing demand for county-level travel, which offers a closer connection to authentic local culture. Deqing, a small county in east China, has embarked on a decade-long initiative to develop its "source culture" – a strategy designed to promote tourism growth.

Deqing boasts a profound history in porcelain-making, pearl cultivation and tea culture. This National Day holiday period, the county introduced its "Source of Jiangnan" brand ahead of the upcoming opening of the "Source of Jiangnan" Cultural Heritage Park. The park's experiential museum complex immerses visitors in a multi-sensory journey, featuring live demonstrations of ancient arts, like porcelain-making, that have been practiced for millennia. Other sites further enrich the cultural experience: the Jiangnan Silk Weaving Culture Museum showcases the rich history and artistry of silk production, while the Xiaoshan Temple Suxinji Tea Culture Retreat Center offers a serene and spiritual experience centered on the unity of Zen and tea.

Through these efforts, Deqing is positioning itself as a model for county-level tourism, demonstrating how economic development can go hand in hand with cultural preservation and sustainability.