On Jan 26, Long Cong, a member of the Guizhou Provincial Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and vice-chairman and general manager of Guizhou Tourism Industry Development Group Co, shared his insights and experiences on effectively integrating the development of culture and tourism. He stated that improving culture and tourism is not something distant or abstract, but something close at hand.

Long used the AYDC Public Art Center's renovation into a new urban space as an example. Located in Guiyang's Guanshanhu district, AYDC was once a single-use and monotonous urban space. However, Guiyang seized the opportunity for urban renewal by introducing elements popular among young people, such as craft beer, coffee, and motorcycles. This transformation turned it into a free, open, and friendly social space, attracting over 100 owner-operated businesses, with a maximum daily reception capacity of 30,000 people and annual cultural and tourism consumption exceeding 500 million yuan ($71.8 million). This has made it a new landmark for the integration of culture, tourism, sports, and commerce in Guiyang.

The view of AYDC Public Art Center. [Photo/WeChat account of Guanshanhu district]

Leveraging the "Cool Guiyang" brand, the city strives to transform landscapes into engaging scenes and integrate these scenes into immersive experiences. Districts like Shizi Street, Taiping Road, and Qingyun Market are being renewed, while events like roadside concerts, the Guiyang Marathon, and an ethnic parade have gained significant attention. Boutique coffee, craft beer, exquisite dining, and creative cultural offerings have begun to take shape, while the performance and event economies are thriving. In 2025, the city saw a 9 percent year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals and a 50 percent increase in inbound tourists.

Long believes that when culture and tourism are grounded in everyday life, they help strengthen public confidence in livelihoods. From the romantic sea of flowers in Gui'an Cherry Blossom Park to the bustling night market on Qingyun Road, and from the intricate craftsmanship displayed in cultural workshops to the starry skies above camping bases, Guiyang is shaping its cultural and tourism sector around hallmarks of vibrancy, relaxation, youthful vitality, and an endless stream of new experiences.