Leading up to the Spring Festival of 2025, China’s ancient capital of Xi’an once again grabbed the attention of audiences worldwide with the broadcast of the period drama Flourished Peony. With elegant costume designs, makeup artistry, and state-of-the arts props, the TV series vividly recreated the folk culture of Chang’an (the ancient name of Xi’an) during its golden age in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The flourishing peonies, thriving commerce, and boundless prosperity of the Tang Dynasty’s capital inspired an irresistible longing among the audience to go see this poetic ancient city of abundance.
During this year’s Spring Festival, Xi’an experienced a remarkable resurgence in tourism characterized by tourists’ fascination for traditional Chinese aesthetics. According to data from the Xi’an Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism, the city’s scenic spots rated 3A and higher welcomed an impressive 16.21 million visitors. Data from leading online travel platforms further solidified Xi’an’s position as a top tourism destination during this period. The city’s cultural prominence was further amplified on social media, where the trending topic “China Chic in Xi’an” maintained its popularity throughout the festive season.
Visitors to Xi’an are not only enchanted by the city’s culinary delights but also its pervasive historical ambiance. Each weathered brick and tile on the ancient city wall has witnessed centuries of history pass.
A Laoqiang Opera show in Huayin City at the foot of the Huashan Mountain, Shaanxi Province, on July 25, 2024. Laoqiang Opera is a folk art that has been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of China.
A Showcase of Ancient Style
In recent years, as China chic has surged in popularity among the younger generation, it has become increasingly common to see groups of young people strolling along the city wall of Xi’an dressed up in the elegant attire from Tang and Han dynasties, also known as Tangzhuang or Hanfu.
This year’s Spring Festival witnessed a remarkable surge in visitors in the Xi’an City Wall Scenic Area, totaling 332,500. The narrow alleys at the base of the ancient wall were flanked by thriving Hanfu rental shops, catering to the growing demand. Meanwhile, the social media trend “Hanfu on Xi’an City Wall” continued to captivate audiences, as countless netizens flooded the topic with stunning photos and vivid travel anecdotes.
On January 31 this year, amidst the crenellations and ancient grey bricks of Xi’an’s historical city wall, a group of young people in Hanfu posed for photos against the backdrop of the warm setting sun. As the photographer pressed the shutter release, the frame captured not only the timeless silhouette of ancient wooden arches, but also the resplendent garments shimmering with golden and silver threads.
“During this Spring Festival, the city walls were decked with beautiful decorations, radiating a joyous holiday spirit. With my two daughters also on winter break, I made a special trip with them to Xi’an. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to immerse themselves in the beauty of Hanfu and connect with a cultural legacy that spans millennia. The nearby shops here offer costume rentals and makeup services, very convenient, for visitors,” Mao Xueting, a tourist, told China Today.
The city wall of Xi’an, a centuries-old military fortress, is evolving into a vibrant cultural stage for the younger generation, who are on a profound spiritual quest to rediscover their cultural roots in the vast currents of history.
Moreover, the historical marvel has been embracing modern technology in recent years. During festive seasons, the Xi’an City Wall Scenic Area leverages iconic features, such as its bastions and watchtowers, and employs cutting-edge high-definition projection technology to deliver immersive naked-eye 3D light shows. These spectacular displays bring to life familiar cultural relics of Shaanxi, such as the exquisite gold-inlaid agate cup in an animal head shape, on the ancient wall. Additionally, through technological innovation, ancient pottery figurines are reimagined as animated dancers and rappers, creating a cute fusion of the past with the present. This seamless integration of technology, history, light, culture, and architecture offers both locals and tourists an unforgettable visual experience.
In recognition of these advancements, the Xi’an City Wall Cultural Tourism Intelligent Immersion Experience Demonstration Park in Shaanxi Province was listed among the National Tourism Technology Demonstration Parks in 2023.
To further enrich the cultural meaning of the city wall, the Xi’an City Wall administration has entered into a strategic partnership with Tencent and Galaxy Digital & Entertainment Co., Ltd. (Shanghai Shayu) to collaboratively develop a Silk Road VR multi-player immersive experience project in the form of digital asset licensing. This innovative project, inspired by the ancient Silk Road, aims to promote the rich tapestry of traditional Chinese culture by delivering an exhilarating and legendary narrative adapted from historical tales and folklore associated with the Silk Road.
Meanwhile, as one of the first batch of key cultural heritage sites under state protection, the Xi’an City Wall is also making use of digital technology in cultural relic preservation and management. This initiative breathes new life into the conservation and utilization of this historical monument, ensuring its legacy endures for future generations.
People dressed in festive finery on the ancient city wall in Xi’an, on February 9, 2025.
Natural Wonders Meet Cultural Gem
Nestled about 120 kilometers to the east of Xi’an, the Huashan Mountains Scenic Area is a renowned destination for both domestic and international travelers. Throughout the festive season, an exquisite array of cultural festivities infused with the essence of the Spring Festival extended a warm welcome to visitors from all around the globe. Its captivating blend of awe-inspiring natural landscape and cultural activities brought the area alive, luring a staggering 115,000 visitors from across the country.
The western peak of Huashan Mountains is renowned for its breathtaking steepness. At the cableway entrance, long queues of eager visitors awaited their turn to embark on a thrilling journey of exploring the wonders of the nature. As the cable car gradually ascends, passengers can enjoy the views of rugged mountain ranges and distinctive landforms. Towering cliffs rise sharply into the heavens, evoking in people a profound sense of wonder at nature’s extraordinary artistry.
“Even though we live locally, this is our first time to visit Huashan Mountains. At this Spring Festival, we decided to bring our kids here and take the cable car up and down the mountains. The views are absolutely breathtaking. After we came down the mountains, we relaxed in a local hot spring resort. It was an unforgettable experience,” Hu Sasa, a tourist, told China Today.
In the western peak cableway area, there were folk cultural festivities on stage. The ancient local Mihu opera, with its melodious and graceful tunes, filled the air with a gentle flowing stream. Nearby, sugar painting stalls drew crowds of tourists with their sweet fragrance. The area also came alive with performances of local folk traditions, including drumming, puppetry, and martial arts. Many inheritors of local intangible cultural heritage, such as paper cutting and shadow puppet painting, engaged directly with visitors.
In addition to this, theme cable car with “Snake Brings Fortune” designs, a symbol of prosperity and good fortune, made its grand debut at the northern peak during the Spring Festival. The ingenious design is just like the serpentine contours of Huashan Mountains.
Around the entrance of cable cars in the northern peak, there was also a series of festive activities, which included traditional drum performances to welcome spring, the God of Wealth parade, robotic armor exhibitions, and authentic Huayin Laoqiang opera shows. To enhance visitors’ experience, the scenic area thoughtfully provided complimentary family portrait services as well. Professional photographers captured countless heartwarming moments, helping visitors forever cherish their precious memories of Huashan Mountains.
According to the Huashan Scenic Area administration, the activities of this year’s Spring Festival celebrations centered on the theme “Natural Wonders Meets Cultural Narratives,” featuring a variety of activities designed to boost cultural tourism consumption. From January 27 to February 4, 2025, the scenic area welcomed 115,000 visitors, generating RMB 8.60 million in ticket revenue and a total tourism income of RMB 34.39 million. Looking ahead, the administration plans to further integrate cultural tourism with various industries to provide guests coming from far and wide with an unforgettable experience.
