Having broken the Hollywood monopoly in the global list of 10 highest-grossing films, China's animated feature "Ne Zha 2" is showing its impact by promoting related tourism across the country.
The scenic areas of Jiangyou City of southwest China's Sichuan Province are enjoying a rush of visitors after the release of the movie.
Destinations tied to the mythological tale, such as Cuiping Mountain, where the Ne Zha Palace located, and Jinguang Dong, or Golden Light Cave, the temple of Nezha's teacher Taiyi Zhenren, and the place where Nezha was trained, attracted over 1,000 visitors a day.
In addition to these renowned scenic spots, Jiangyou is also home to the former residence of the Tang Dynasty (618-907) poet Li Bai (701-762).
Shreetisa Maharjan, Nepalese student studying at the Southwest University of Science and Technology, experienced the charm of traditional Chinese mythology in these scenic spots.
"Traveling in China has been a unique experience. Through field trips and movies, I have been able to learn more about China's history and its culture. Jiangyou is not only about Ne Zha's story, but also has Li Bai's story. This fusion of diverse cultures has given me a deeper longing to know about China's history. Ne Zhe 2 has taught me and given me more interest in learning about Chinese culture. And this time when I came to Jiangyou I have gained a deeper understanding of Ne Zhe's story and it fills me with the friendliness and enthusiasm of Chinese people," said Maharjan.
In Jingdezhen of east China's Jiangxi Province, many overseas artists who came to learn porcelain creation also had a new understanding of traditional Chinese culture through Ne Zha 2, and also brought a lot of inspiration to their porcelain creation.
"I've seen a lot of reaction videos, clips, and commercials from the movie. I thought it's a really funny movie. I was able to learn from watching that movie. It's very different from other cultures that I had experienced. China has a lot of unique aspects to the culture," said Mike, an American artist.
Chinese film Ne Zha 2 boosts travel to related travel destinations
Chinese film Ne Zha 2 boosts travel to related travel destinations
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
