Cangzhou Blends Dual UNESCO Heritage with Innovation to Drive Next-Generation Tourism

CANGZHOU, China, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from Xinhuanet: Recognized as one of the few cities in China to feature both a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site (the Cangzhou section of the Grand Canal) and a World Natural Heritage site (Nandagang Migratory Bird Habitat), the city of Cangzhou is gaining national attention for its innovative approach to cultural tourism. Over the 2025 May Day holiday, Cangzhou welcomed 4.049 million visitors—a 21.34% year-over-year increase—generating 2.991 billion yuan in tourism-related revenue, up 9.24% from the previous year.

At Nanchuan Ancient Street, located along the historic Grand Canal, the Langyin and Nanchuan towers anchor a corridor of historically inspired architecture. Retro-style buildings complement the restored setting, creating a distinctive cultural destination. The street served as the venue for Cangzhou's Second Hotpot Chicken Festival, where visitors enjoyed regional cuisine alongside interactive street parades and special promotional offerings.

"I kept seeing videos about Cangzhou's food and culture recently, so I decided to check it out for myself", said Bie Hanliang, a traveler from Xi'an who made this canal city his family's first stop on their Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei tour.

Cangzhou's success stems from its integrated approach to tourism—combining centuries-old heritage and natural landscapes with forward-thinking programs that drive public engagement.

During the Dragon Boat Festival, the Ming-Qing dynasty-inspired Nanchuan Ancient Street not only recreated the bustling waterfront life of the canal's heyday, but also transformed Cangzhou's canal culture, traditional medicine heritage, and acrobatic martial arts into immersive experiences through its integrative offerings: a Chinese medicine wellness market, intangible cultural heritage displays, and live wushu-acrobatics performances. Since its launch in 2023, the street has attracted over 5 million visitors, peaking at 100,000 in a single day.

In addition, at the Intelligent Eco Pavilion at Nandagang Wetlands—where sonar systems track bird migrations in real time—visitors witnessed the avian journeys through 'Bird's-Eye View' VR simulations. In the Metaverse Acrobatics Arena at Wuqiao Acrobatics World, visitors experienced the heart-stopping aerial routines via VR headsets.

As part of the "Cultural Cangzhou" initiative, local city agencies hosted a broad array of public events including music festivals, anime conventions, EDM carnivals, and stadium concerts. During the Dragon Boat Festival, family-friendly attractions included a water celebration at the Nandagang Wetlands and the Fairy Tale Kingdom experience at Wuqiao Acrobatics World, among other interactive programs.

Cangzhou's multi-pronged approach—emphasizing local character, youth-oriented programming, and cross-sector collaboration—has helped reposition the city from a regional waypoint to a destination of choice by integrating cultural content with strategic planning and public investment.

This summer, Cangzhou will roll out a new slate of cultural tourism events designed to welcome international visitors. The "Sing Along the Grand Canal: Cangzhou Zero-Distance Music Festival - Shilixiang Night" will open on June 28 at the Dahua Industrial Heritage Site, with events running through October.

Cangzhou's approach illustrates how cultural tourism can serve as a powerful driver of economic development and urban revitalization. Through ongoing investment in place-based storytelling, historic preservation, and experience-driven attractions, the city is building a sustainable model of heritage-led growth and community engagement.

SOURCE Xinhuanet