Tianmen Mountains Scenic Area in Zhangjiajie City in central China's Hunan Province has launched a series of intangible cultural heritage folk activities, attracting more international tourists eager to immerse themselves in the summer travel season.
Since July, Tianmen Mountain Scenic Area has received a total of 97,000 foreign tourists, an increase of 54 percent compared with the same period in 2025, according to the scenic area management office.
Performers in traditional attire sang local songs on the iconic 999-step staircase leading to Tianmen Cave, welcoming visitors to the scenic area.
"I like these views a lot. I think that is a very unique place and all people need to come here and see this beautiful view," said a tourist from Spain.
"So, the feeling is like great happiness, and it's beautiful to know other cultures," said another tourist from Romania.
In the square below Tianmen Cave, visitors were invited to join different intangible cultural heritage folk activities, including lion dances and bamboo pole dances.
Intangible cultural heritage folk activities draw foreign tourists to Zhangjiajie
Iran's Foreign Ministry said Monday that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless the U.S. naval blockade against Iran is lifted, reflecting Tehran's hardline stance.
Speaking at a press briefing, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei talked about Iran's maritime navigation talks with Oman.
The spokesman clarified that while discussions focus on defining shipping routes, the broader status of the Strait remains tied to external pressure. He said that under the current blockade, a state of war effectively persists.
"The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz is contingent upon the removal of conditions imposed on the Islamic Republic of Iran and the entire region due to the military aggression of the United States and the Zionist regime," said Baghaei.
He denied any direct negotiations with the United States, confirming that diplomacy remains limited strictly to third-party message exchanges.
Addressing the recent joint defense agreement between Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Türkiye, Baghaei stressed that regional security cannot be "purchased" from abroad. He reaffirmed Iran's position that long-term stability must be locally driven.
Strait of Hormuz to remain closed as long as Iran faces maritime blockade: spokesman
