Linxia, Striving Towards the "Hundred Billion" Cultural and Tourism Industry

Linxia, China, Striving Towards the "Hundred Billion" Cultural and Tourism Industry

- Exclusive Interview for Ma Dexiang, Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Linxia Prefecture Committee and Director of the Prefecture Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau

"Huaer in Linxia by the River" -- sincerely inviting tourists to appreciate the peonies of Hezhou, admire the beautiful landscapes, visit the folk houses of Bafang, listen to the "Huaer" and savor the delicacies of Hezhou." Recently, Ma Dexiang, Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the Linxia Prefecture Committee and Director of the Prefecture Culture, Radio, Television, and Tourism Bureau, extended an invitation to domestic and international tourists in an exclusive interview with SL China com.cn.

In June this year, the 2023 China Huaer Conference with the theme "Protection, Inheritance, Development and Communication" and the second "Huaer in Linxia by the River" Cultural Tourism Festival were held in Linxia, attracting "Huaer" enthusiasts and tourists from all over the country.

Ma Dexiang introduced that "Huaer" is mainly popular in the Linxia area of Gansu Province and its surrounding regions. Due to the different regions of circulation, they are divided into two major schools: the Hehuang style and the Taomin style.

"Nowadays, "Huaer" has become a prominent symbol of Linxia's intangible cultural heritage, playing a significant role in cultural exchange and fostering emotional integration among diverse ethnic groups. It serves as a vital driving force that empowers and enriches the cultural and tourism industry in Linxia," stated Ma Dexiang.

Speaking about the significance of the 2023 China Huaer Conference, Ma stated that hosting this event has promoted the protection, inheritance, and development of the Hezhou "Huaer", ignited the potential for cultural and tourism consumption, provided new momentum for the development of cultural tourism in Linxia, showcased Linxia's culture to the outside world, disseminated the voice of Linxia, and told the stories of Linxia. Simultaneously, it has involved the exploration and cultivation of talents in the protection and inheritance of folk flowers, constantly expanding its influence and reputation.

In recent years, in order to safeguard the intangible cultural heritage of "Huaer" heritage, Linxia Prefecture has developed and implemented a series of protection regulations and established "Huaer" cultural ecological conservation zones. Simultaneously, efforts have been made to discover and cultivate talents involved in the protection and inheritance of folk "Huaer" heritage, continuously expanding their influence and reputation.

Linxia, known as the "Town of Tea-Horse Ancient Road," "Western Dry Port," and "River and Valley Frontier Town," is considered a vital strategic location along the southern route of the ancient Silk Road and the Tangfan Ancient Road. It is also a significant center for tea-horse trade. Additionally, Linxia is renowned as the "Hometown of Colorful Pottery" in China.

How can we effectively utilize the unique resource endowment advantage and transform the cultural and tourism industry into the leading one driving local economic development?

In recent years, Linxia Prefecture has set the goal of developing the cultural and tourism industry as a billion-dollar leading industry. Leveraging the abundant resources of the "Ten Marvels of Linxia," it has implemented a comprehensive strategy for the in-depth development of the cultural and tourism industry. There is a strong emphasis on promoting the all-round and all-season development of the cultural and tourism industry, designing and launching high-quality tourism routes, meticulously planning a multitude of exciting festivals and events, and igniting a new wave of tourism enthusiasm in Linxia Prefecture. At the same time, by integrating various resources, enhancing the stickiness, flexibility, profitability, and sustainability of the cultural and tourism industry, the advantages of cultural tourism are being rapidly unleashed. The tourism industry is experiencing explosive growth, and the cultural tourism brand of "Huaer in Linxia by the River" has been effectively established and widely recognized.

From January to May this year, Linxia has received about 7 million tourists, achieving a comprehensive tourism revenue of about 3 billion yuan. During the "May Day" Golden Week in 2023, Linxia welcomed 3.33 million tourist visits and achieved a comprehensive tourism revenue of 1.27 billion yuan, ranking third in Gansu Province.

"'Seasonal Travel: Spring Flowers, Summer Retreat, Autumn Harvest, Winter Snow Play' has already been established," expressed Ma Dexiang. He further emphasized that Linxia has now become a popular tourist destination with skyrocketing popularity, serving as a significant node and tourism destination along the Yellow River Cultural Tourism Belt. (Wu Yuting)