Huanghe News Network, Jincheng (Reporter Song Yueting) — From January 4 to 5, the “Gaoping City Cultural Tourism Promotion and 4th Yan Emperor Lantern Festival Roadshow,” hosted by the Gaoping Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, arrived at Shanxi University's Wucheng Campus. The event delivered a winter cultural tourism feast blending cultural depth with youthful energy to university faculty and students. This event aimed to deepen university-local cooperation and innovate cultural tourism promotion models, vividly showcasing Gaoping's profound historical heritage and abundant winter tourism resources to young students.
Campus Flash Mob Brings Fresh Energy as Gaoping Culture and Tourism Enter Campus
The event innovatively combined “flash mobs + roadshows” to precisely engage campus audiences through phased, scenario-based activities. On the evening of January 4th, a unique flash mob kicked off at Lingde Dining Hall. The opening lion dance performance featured leaping and rolling colorful lions, instantly igniting the atmosphere with their lively energy. This was followed by the melodious strains of the song “Dreaming of Changping,” whose historical resonance captivated the audience. Then, the resonant and powerful notes of the suona (Chinese oboe) filled the air, showcasing the rustic charm of the Taihang Mountains. The grand finale featured a traditional Gaoping opera performance, where the actors' graceful stage movements and exquisite martial arts techniques allowed the audience to experience the unique allure of traditional art up close. “The flash mob was incredibly captivating—it instantly sparked my curiosity about Gaoping. I heard there's a lantern festival too, and I've already started planning my Spring Festival itinerary with my roommate,” shared Zhang Yongjian from Shanxi University's School of Journalism and Communication, his excitement palpable after the performance. The event simultaneously encouraged participants to join the Douyin challenges #I'mGoingToGaopingForTheLanternFestival and #DiscoverTimelessBeautyInGaoping for online check-ins. where participants shared their on-site experiences and heartfelt reflections. This online buzz successfully generated buzz for the main event the following day.
Core Attractions Take Center Stage: Immersive Experiences Unlock Diverse Charms
At noon on January 5th, the main roadshow event commenced at the Lingde Restaurant Plaza. Centered around a “flower-car market,” the venue systematically showcased Gaoping's core cultural and tourism resources. Four major attractions—Yandi Mausoleum (Central Temple) Scenic Area, Xizhen Suzhuang, Bushan Scenic Area, and Wolong Bay Scenic Area—made a collective appearance. Each highlighted distinct themes: millennia-old Yandi blessing rituals, intangible cultural heritage of Taihang folk customs, the ceremonial cycle of “plowing-harvesting-blessing” during Spring Festival, and the thrill of winter sports, comprehensively unlocking Gaoping's unique winter tourism appeal.
The roadshow featured not only rich cultural and tourism resource displays but also meticulously crafted immersive experience zones. Faculty and students could closely examine ancient architectural models and intangible cultural heritage crafts while personally experiencing traditional skills like incense-making and clay sculpture. “As a native of Sanjia Town in Gaoping, I feel incredibly proud to showcase my hometown's intangible cultural heritage exhibits on campus today and share the Yan Emperor's legacy and the Changping Battle story with my peers!” exclaimed Li Qinyang, a master's student in computer technology at Shanxi University. “These handmade treasures aren't just crafts—they embody Gaoping's millennia-old cultural heritage. I hope more students will fall in love with my hometown through them and visit Gaoping during Spring Festival to enjoy the lantern festival and appreciate our intangible cultural heritage.”
Interactive games like a fun spinning wheel lottery ran concurrently, deepening faculty and students' understanding of Gaoping's cultural and tourism resources amid laughter and joy. Performances including leaping lion dances, synchronized suona music, opera posture demonstrations, and the song “Dreaming of Changping” took turns captivating the audience, repeatedly elevating the atmosphere to new heights. Distinctive cultural IPs like Tiefo Temple and the Cai Zhizhong Art Museum made prominent appearances, while Gaoping's specialty agricultural products and cultural creations were showcased simultaneously. A vivid picture of deep integration between “culture, tourism, and industry” unfolded before the eyes of the attendees.
University-Community Collaboration: Mutual Empowerment and Youthful Perspectives Fuel Development
Students participating in the event unanimously expressed that this promotion transformed Gaoping from a historical term in textbooks into a tangible, immersive, and engaging travel destination. “Through this roadshow, I truly felt the unique charm of this ancient city. I must gather friends to visit Gaoping during the Spring Festival to explore the lantern festival, admire the scenery, and savor the local cuisine!” one student exclaimed with evident excitement.
A representative from Gaoping's Culture and Tourism Bureau stated: “Universities are hubs for young talent and represent a promising market for cultural and tourism consumption. By engaging with Shanxi University, we aim to use the campus as a bridge connecting Gaoping with the youth demographic. This collaboration seeks to revitalize our millennia-old cultural heritage through interaction with youthful energy, while also harnessing the wisdom and dynamism of young people to drive high-quality development in Gaoping's cultural and tourism sector.”
This campus roadshow represents a proactive initiative by Gaoping Culture and Tourism to engage younger audiences and advance brand rejuvenation. The event not only extends a warm invitation to university students to celebrate the Spring Festival together but also bridges the gap between youthful perspectives and millennia-old cultural heritage, injecting robust vitality and dynamic momentum into Gaoping's high-quality cultural tourism development. This Spring Festival, we cordially invite teachers, students, and visitors to explore Gaoping. Marvel at the beauty of ancient architecture amidst dazzling illuminations, revel in winter sports within a snowy wonderland, and immerse yourself in the richness of cultural traditions through time-honored New Year customs. Join us for a romantic winter journey that bridges the past and present.