Tianmen Mountain, a stunning scenic area in central China's Zhangjiajie National Forest Park, is delighting visitors from around the world with intangible cultural heritage performances and interactive robots during this year's five-day May Day holiday.
On the 999-step staircase leading up to the scenic area's landmark Tianmen Cave, a traditional ethnic attire fashion show wowed the audience. Performers also sang mountain songs and served a local specialty -- sweet rice wine -- to tourists in bamboo vessels.
"I came here to see the mountain, and I did not to expect to have such a welcoming entrance. I like the wine, and this was very good," said Daniel, an Italian tourist.
As visitors made their way to the Tianmen Cave square, they enjoyed a variety of folk performances including Tujia lion dances, with performers dressed in traditional ethnic costumes.
"The performances are fantastic. You could see so many ethnic attires, which I think are really beautiful and really worth trying on. The trip is definitely worth it, and I highly recommend it," said Chinese visitor Li Wenli.
To further enhance tourist experiences, intelligent robots patrolled the scenic area, offering mini performances, chatting with visitors, and even writing blessings using their adept calligraphy skills.
Central China mountain charms global visitors with cultural heritage, interactive robots during holiday
Beyond natural attractions, many Chinese holiday-makers opted for industrial heritage sites, factories, and museums during the May Day holiday this year, seeking to experience the craftsmanship behind "Made in China" and the beauty of labor.
In Jingdezhen, an eastern Chinese city with over 1,700 years of ceramic-making history, visitors joined a fire-lighting ceremony at imperial kilns dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1644). They added firewood to centuries-old furnaces before trying porcelain-making techniques such as wheel throwing, glazing and painting, experiencing craftsmanship that has endured for a thousand years.
"We truly see the wisdom of ancient people and their craftsmanship. Especially in the Labor Day holiday, we should honor working people in this way," said Song Yichen, a visitor.
In Jiaxing, a city in east China's Zhejiang Province, families toured the rocket production base of LandSpace, where the Zhuque-2 carrier rocket -- the world's first liquid oxygen-methane rocket to reach orbit -- was developed.
A close look at fuel tanks and rocket segments assembled in the workshop marveled both children and adults.
At Beijing's Shougang Park, once a steel plant, visitors watched a restored blast furnace demonstrate the full steel-making process, gaining a vivid sense of steelworkers' dedication and craftsmanship.
Another furnace in the park has been converted into a cyberpunk-style amusement park, where industrial relics combine with modern technology to create a distinctive visitor experience.
In Tianjin, a neighboring city of Beijing, visitors explored the Tianjin Machine Tool Industry Museum, where more than 40 historic machines and 200 artifacts are on display. Tourists are allowed to operate miniature models, experiencing the dialogue between metal and wisdom.
Industrial tourism gains popularity during May Day holiday
