The 10th Pingyao International Film Festival, kicking off in Pingyao of north China's Shanxi Province on Thursday, has drawn large numbers of tourists to the ancient city, boosting spending across sectors such as dining, sightseeing and sales of cultural creative products.
During the seven-day festival, film enthusiasts from across the country travel specifically to Pingyao to watch films. As the festival takes place alongside the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, many fans also tour the ancient city and nearby scenic spots, sampling delicacies, and purchasing film-themed souvenirs and creative products.
"I will stay here during the entire film festival, scheduling to watch two or three films here every day. The atmosphere in Pingyao is great, and the architecture truly evokes a sense of history," said Zhang Jingyu, a film enthusiast.
"I think the atmosphere among film fans here is fantastic. It's really fun to discuss films and pick up souvenirs together. I plan to visit nearby temples during the day and watch movies in the evening," said Teng Jingwen, another film enthusiast.
As a city with ancient culture, Pingyao has blended its distinctive local charm with the opportunities brought by the film festival, driving growth across a wide range of sectors including accommodation, dining, transportation, cultural and creative industries, and sightseeing.
"We open at 08:30 every day, and by then there would be already lots of customers lining up. Our shopping bags and ticket holders are selling very well," said Zhang Chufen, a salesperson at a cultural and creative products shop at Pingyao's cinema palace.
With a history of over 2,700 years, Pingyao is famous for its well-preserved urban landscape from the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). The ancient city, covering an area of 2.25 square km, is home to more than 300 cultural relics and nearly 4,000 traditional buildings. It was named a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1997.
Film festival draws tourists to ancient city, boosts consumption
Chinese women artists in New York are advancing exchange and deepening mutual understanding across cultures through local galleries, art exhibitions and genuine interpersonal connections built on a passion for art.
One such artist is Christina Wong, who has long integrated her personal artistic practice into cross-cultural interaction. Based in Lower Manhattan, a vibrant hub for global artistic creation and communication, she founded Lumen Studio and regularly visits galleries in the area.
Originally from east China's Shandong and south China's Shenzhen, Wong has settled in New York and immersed herself in the city's diverse art community. She believes artistic passion transcends cultural boundaries, allowing people from all walks of life to connect naturally and build sincere friendships across different backgrounds and perspectives.
"I feel like if you share a passion for art, literally, you can just talk to anybody. And if you go to an art show, there're so many art shows and beautiful galleries in New York, and you can meet people from all walks of life. And you just immediately understand, if you share this passion, and it's so easy for you to make friends," said Wong.
Wong's artistic friendship with Shihui Zhou, founder and director of Latitude Gallery, exemplifies the organic cultural exchanges that take place in the city. Established in 2020 in downtown Manhattan, Latitude Gallery focuses on showcasing emerging talents from the Asian diaspora, amplifying contemporary Asian artistic voices within the Western art scene.
"When we achieve a connection, it's very joyful. And then it's exchange and it's just simply very wonderful to see that people are curious," said Zhou.
She noted that art offers a unique, accessible channel for cross-cultural communication.
"It's great for people to compare and to really experience both different cultures," the gallery founder said.
In New York, a global melting pot of cultures, the two female artists have proven that art serves as a powerful bridge for cultural integration and mutual learning.
"I've made so many friends, honestly, just by being a little bit more present in the art world," said Wong.
Both artists acknowledged that while art cannot resolve international political differences, it can cultivate mutual respect on a much smaller canvas.
Chinese women artists bridge China-US ties through art
