On January 19, a "Foreign Bloggers Explore China" serial event was held at the Baofeng Lake Scenic Area in Zhangjiajie City. Top American TikTok influencers including Michael Le, Rafi Rodriguez, and Kat Rodriguez, backed by over 50 million global followers, immersed themselves in the tour, unlocking the natural beauty of this hidden wonderland and the charm of the intangible cultural heritage of the Tujia people. The bloggers showcased Zhangjiajie's new cultural tourism calling card to the world through their own diverse perspectives.
That morning, the foreign bloggers boarded a boat to embark on a captivating journey. Scenic spots unfolded gradually before their eyes. Emerald green mountains reflected in the crystal-clear lake surface, forming a flowing landscape scroll. Throughout the journey, the bloggers held their cameras aloft to capture breathtaking landscape. They couldn't help but marvel at the grandeur of this beautiful wonderland.
As the boat reached the center of the lake, the guests observed Tujia folk song singers dressed in traditional attire staging performances on a boat nearby. The melodious tunes of folk songs of Sangzhi County instantly ignited the atmosphere. The foreign tourists enthusiastically joined the singing in an antiphonal fashion, their crisp voices blending with the ripples on the lake, a vibrant cultural symbol in the middle of the lake. Afterwards, the thousand-year-old technique of cormorant fishing was presented to showcase the seamless collaboration between seasoned fishermen and their cormorants, recreating the dynamic scenes of ancient fishing practices. The visitors were captivated by the vitality of this traditional craft, pausing repeatedly to capture these precious moments through their lenses.
Later on, the bloggers went ashore and enjoyed an immersive Tujia lantern performance, a registered intangible cultural heritage item. The audiences were enchanted by the lively and playful dance movements. After the show, they took to the stage themselves for an impromptu dance, sharing the joy of this intangible cultural heritage with visitors and fans. They also visited a scenic spot—the filming location for the Water Curtain Cave in a Chinese television series "Journey to the West." After experiencing the magical lure of this iconic cinematic setting firsthand, the bloggers exclaimed, "This is even more breathtaking than we imagined."
The wonders of nature and culture here deserve to be seen by the world,” said Michael Le and other bloggers, adding that the hidden landscapes and Tujia folk culture of Baofeng Lake sparked abundant creative inspiration. The influencers plan to share this extraordinary journey with global fans through short videos, allowing more people to appreciate the unique charm of Zhangjiajie.
The Zhangjiajie Tourism Group has placed high importance on this event. Jin Xin, the group's executive vice manager, noted that Baofeng Lake's natural landscapes and Tujia intangible cultural heritage represent the core competitive strengths of Zhangjiajie's cultural tourism industry. Inviting top-tier influencers to explore the area has established a crucial bridge for Zhangjiajie to expand into the European and American markets. Looking forward, the group will continue to enhance distinctive travel experiences and international services through multi-dimensional collaborative promotions, positioning Zhangjiajie as a globally coveted cultural tourism destination.
This article is from the Hunan Provincial Government www.enghunan.gov.cn.
Translator: Xiao Juan
Chinese source: hunantoday
