On April 12, the 2026 "Art Journey: China-Russia Cultural Exchange Event" kicked off in Wulingyuan District, Zhangjiajie, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. More than 300 arts professionals from China, Russia, and Central Asia gathered in Zhangjiajie to engage in cultural exchanges and artistic performances, injecting new vitality into people-to-people exchanges between China and Russia.

The event was co-hosted by the Zhangjiajie China International Travel Service and Russia's "Golden Square" International Cultural and Educational Project, under the theme of "Cultural Exchange, Symbiotic Friendship, and Landscape Conveying Emotions." The event served as a concrete measure to implement the strategy of "building a world-class tourist destination" set by the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee and the Hunan Provincial People's Government, as well as a vivid demonstration of Zhangjiajie's efforts to establish itself as a benchmark city for inbound tourism and create a window for international cultural exchange, thereby advancing the development of the Greater Zhangjiajie International Tourism Area.

At the event, Chinese and Russian artists, dressed in distinctive ethnic costumes, sang and danced along the Suoxi River Sightseeing Avenue, showcasing their folk traditions and enthusiastically interacting with local residents and tourists. This created a vibrant scene of cross-cultural exchange. During the opening ceremony, the two sides jointly performed 23 distinctive programs, fully showcasing the charm of both nations' traditional arts. A variety of subsequent activities, including vocal exchanges, scenic site visits, and special competitions, are scheduled to be held at Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, Tianmen Mountain, Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon's glass-bottom bridge, and the 72 Unusual Houses. The initiatives aim to further promote mutual learning between Chinese and Russian cultures and the innovative development of cultural and tourism integration, allowing artists from home and abroad to experience the cultural allure of Zhangjiajie's vast landscapes.

"It not only showcased Russian folk art but also allowed us to appreciate China's intangible cultural heritage and the majestic beauty of Zhangjiajie's 'Avatar Mountains.' I was deeply moved," said a Russian performer, expressing her delight.

Zhangjiajie enjoys high reputation in Russia, having successfully hosted events such as the Russian aerobatic team's air show and the International Country Music Week. Since the implementation of mutual visa exemption agreement between China and Russia, the number of Russian tourists visiting Zhangjiajie has surged significantly. In 2025, the Wulingyuan Scenic Area received 30,300 Russian tourist arrivals, a year-on-year increase of 148.36%. In the first quarter of this year, the scenic area received 11,300 Russian tourist visits, marking a year-on-year increase of 438.09%.

This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.

责编：王柯沣

一审：王柯沣

二审：秦慧英

三审：张权

来源：湖南省政府门户网