Min Rui is a special commentator on cultural affairs for CGTN. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

There is an old Chinese saying: "Read ten thousand books, and travel ten thousand miles." Today, when tourists in China can rent robotic exoskeletons to climb mountains more easily, that proverb takes on new meaning. It captures how technology and creativity – what China calls "new quality productive forces" – are reshaping cultural and tourism experiences across the country.

As China's 14th Five-Year Plan (2021–2025) approaches its conclusion, the country's progress in the culture and tourism sectors has been remarkable. According to the latest data, China's cultural industry reached a total revenue of 19.14 trillion yuan (about 26.6 trillion US dollars) in 2024, a 37.7 percent increase since 2020.

Behind these figures lies not only industrial expansion, but also a profound shift in how culture is produced, consumed and shared.

A new lifestyle: when culture meets travel

The integration of culture and tourism has transformed how people experience modern life. From immersive theater and heritage workshops to the viral "village super league" football games and digital museum tours, cultural experiences are no longer confined to galleries or libraries, they flow into the streets, villages and daily lives of millions.

This transformation reveals a new kind of demand: Travel is no longer just about checking out famous sites, but about encountering culture. More young people now travel for concerts, exhibitions or moments of historical connection. Heritage workshops have become social-media hotspots; archaeological sites are now open classrooms and night-time cultural markets have turned local economies into vibrant creative ecosystems.

In 2024 alone, China recorded 5.6 billion domestic trips and nearly 1.5 billion museum visits. These numbers tell a deeper story – that cultural richness and leisure are increasingly intertwined with people's pursuit of a better, more meaningful life.

Accessible for all: culture within everyone's reach

A hallmark of China's modernization is its commitment to accessible public cultural services.

By the end of 2024, the country had built 3,248 public libraries and nearly 44,000 community cultural centers, with the "county-level library system" covering over 95 percent of localities.

Digital platforms and flexible hours have made cultural services more inclusive – elderly villagers can now watch high-definition performances online, while city dwellers rediscover quiet reading corners in neighborhood libraries. These innovations represent more than infrastructure growth; they show how modernization in China extends beyond concrete and steel to enrich the spiritual fabric of society.

The government's role is crucial but not solitary: By combining public leadership with social participation and digital innovation, China is making culture a shared right rather than a privilege. This is more than policy – it is a vision of modernization that cares for all and ensures culture is accessible to everyone.

Reviving traditions: from heritage to creative vitality

Since the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan, China has established 12,900 intangible cultural heritage (ICH) workshops, creating over 1.2 million jobs. Increasingly, young people are engaging with traditional crafts, performing arts and regional opera – acting as both guardians of heritage and agents of innovation.

From the digital restoration of Dunhuang murals to artisans sharing their skills on social media, traditional culture is finding new life through modern channels. Protecting intangible heritage is not just about preserving a craft or practice – it is also about giving it space to interact with contemporary commerce and new technologies.

China's cultural tourism industry and digital economy have created fertile ground for the modern transmission of ancient heritage. China's creativity does not emerge from a vacuum; it grows from deep cultural roots. Preserving those roots allows new branches to flourish, and revitalizing tradition reveals the future.

Also, the successful inclusion of the Beijing Central Axis, Western Xia Mausoleums, Chinese tea culture and Spring Festival on UNESCO heritage lists has brought China's World Heritage sites to 60 and its ICH listings to 44, adding vibrant Chinese contributions to the global tapestry of civilizations.

China is not just a custodian of history; it is an active practitioner of cultural continuity. Each heritage inscription represents a dialogue between China and the world, a living testament to inclusivity, peace and enduring cultural exchange.

Chinese culture going global

Cultural exchange is also an engine of China's high-quality growth. In 2024, China's cultural trade reached 1.4 trillion yuan, with digital, online and intelligent products accounting for more than a quarter.

Chinese animation, games, and performing arts are finding global audiences. "Ne Zha 2" became the world's top-grossing animated film, while "Black Myth: Wukong" turned a mythical hero into a global gaming phenomenon. These successes are not exceptions, they reflect a maturing creative industry, cultural confidence and an aesthetic resonance that transcend borders.

The global rise of Chinese culture marks a shift: from "telling China's stories" to creating shared emotional experiences. When audiences around the world find joy, awe or empathy in Chinese works, that is the truest form of dialogue.

The system behind the story

Perhaps the deeper question is: Why has China made gains in culture and tourism?

While some governments face shutdowns and political gridlock, China's cultural and tourism sectors continue to thrive, thanks to institutional stability and efficient execution. Following a steady, "five-year-step" rhythm, China has been able to turn its blueprints into reality, ensuring that cultural initiatives truly take root.

For this reason, China's cultural development is not merely a sum of projects, it reflects the capacity of national governance: strategic, forward-looking and attentive to people's needs.

From films to digital games, from hanfu attire trends to globally popular cultural characters like Labubu, China's cultural expansion is fueled by a system that ensures both creativity and continuity.

At the heart of China's modernization, culture proves to be the most resilient and transformative force – a society confident enough to innovate, inclusive enough to share and patient enough to grow.