Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality has become a new tourist hotspot, as the Chongqing sub-venue of China Media Group's (CMG) 2025 Spring Festival Gala continues to draw visitors from near and far.
The stunning 8D magical stage, set against the backdrop of Chongqing’s iconic riverfront, has captivated tourists eager to experience and capture the city's unique charm.
Located at the confluence of the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, the main stage of the Chongqing sub-venue is one of the best spots to enjoy the city's spectacular night views. From January 30 to February 12, the stage is open to the public, attracting both locals and tourists alike.
"I watched the Spring Festival Gala live on Chinese New Year's Eve and found it to be a breathtaking visual and auditory feast. Experiencing it in person today feels completely different. I can truly sense the spirit of Chongqing, the city of mountains -- navigating steep climbs and reaching greater heights despite all challenges," said Yu Zhiqiang, a visitor exploring the city.
In addition to visiting the stage, visitors can also enjoy a spectacular nightly drone show at the river juncture, featuring Spring Festival celebrations and the CMG Spring Festival Gala.
"It is very lively here, and as a Chongqing resident, I am very proud that our city was selected as a sub-venue for the Spring Festival Gala. We warmly welcome everyone to visit our city. Welcome to Chongqing!" said Gan Junman.
According to statistics, from Monday to Thursday, the four days surrounding Wednesday’s Spring Festival, Chongqing’s Nan’an District, home to the main stage of the CMG Spring Festival Gala Chongqing sub-venue, welcomed over 280,000 overnight visitors -- a 44 percent increase from last year.
Meanwhile, the nearby areas of the gala stage saw nearly 300,000 visits during the same period, marking a 155 percent year-on-year surge, with over 35 percent of visitors coming from outside Chongqing, further highlighting the 2025 Spring Festival Gala’s significant boost to the city’s tourism industry.
"We are now focused on building on the momentum of the Spring Festival Gala. By developing a cultural IP around the Gala and integrating it into cultural and tourism projects, we aim to continuously expand and enhance its brand influence," said Li Renxing, deputy head of the Culture and Tourism Committee of Chongqing’s Nan’an District.
Chongqing's CMG Spring Festival Gala sub-venue boosts local tourism
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
