Dazzling displays

The Greater Zhangjiajie International Tourism Area, nestled in Hunan province, stands as one of China's most ethnically diverse regions. Anthropologist Fei Xiaotong (1910-2005) described the area as a "melting pot of ethnicities", where distinct cultural identities have been preserved through the ages.

The Tusi culture and the rich intangible cultural heritage of ethnic groups such as the Miao, Tujia and Dong collectively contribute to the region's profound cultural wealth. The ancient Tusi chieftain culture is represented by the Yongshun Laosicheng archaeological site, which was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2015.

The silver crafting skills of the Miao people were included in China's first national intangible cultural heritage list in 2006. Tujia brocade, known as Xilankapu, is acclaimed alongside Shu and Yun brocades as one of China's "Five Famous Brocades". Also recognized as a national ICH item in 2006, it boasts over 200 traditional patterns, earning it the title of the "epitome of Tujia culture".

The Grand Song of the Dong ethnic group, a multi-part singing performance without instrumental accompaniment or a leader, was inscribed in 2009 on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

There are countless festivals in the Greater Zhangjiajie region. In the third month of the Chinese calendar, young men and women of the Dong ethnic group gather on the Dawuliang Mountain to sing and express their affection; in the fourth month, the Bai people hold the Rice Planting Festival; in the sixth month, the Feishan Temple Fair in Jingzhou brings together the Miao, Dong and Han people to jointly honor General Feishan; and in the seventh month, the traditional Huayao festival "Taoliaogui" lasts for three days.

Capitalizing on these resources, Greater Zhangjiajie has established itself as a hub for cultural tourism. A standout attraction is the performance Charm Xiangxi, which integrates ICH elements from five ethnic groups: Tujia, Miao, Bai, Dong and Yao. It has attracted over 20 million audience members over 26 years.

Between January and July, Zhangjiajie city drew more than 860,000 visitors from 195 countries and regions, marking a 19.01 percent increase year-on-year. "See the mountains by day, enjoy the shows by night" is becoming a popular routine for international tourists.