On the morning of April 20, the 2026 Zhangjiajie Reading Co-creation Conference, also the Spring Gathering of the Chinese Classics Ceremony, opened at Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon. The event was held on the occasion of the launch of the first national reading week.
The 2026 Zhangjiajie Reading Co-creation Conference and the Spring Gathering of the Chinese Classis Ceremony kick off amidst a light, drizzling rain on April 20, the beginning day of Guyu, or Grain Rain, the sixth of the 24 solar terms on the Chinese lunar calendar.
Co-hosted by ifeng, a Hong Kong-based news media site, and Zhangjiajie Grand Canyon, the event centered on the theme of "Making Reading More Enjoyable." It innovatively integrated classics reading, cultural heritage, international exchange, and immersive experiences to create a new cultural tourism scenario for nationwide reading that is engaging, interactive, and collaborative. Wu Wenhai, member of the Standing Committee and director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Zhangjiajie Municipal Committee, attended and delivered a speech.
Nearly a hundred Chinese and foreign cultural scholars, artists, cultural tourism experts, intangible cultural heritage inheritors, as well as diplomats based in China from various countries and international friends gathered at the venue to attend this event. Guests including You Benchang, Deng Yaping, and Uncle Kai joined the event online, adding to its excitement.
From left to right: Stanley Banda, minister counsellor at the Embassy of the Republic of Zimbabwe in China; Edward Lu, CFO of Phoenix New Media; Wu Wenhai, member of the Standing Committee and director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Zhangjiajie Municipal Committee; and Peter Ditmanson, an American professor at Yuelu Academy of Hunan University.
The opening ceremony featured a series of keynote speeches on "The Power of a Book." Wang Lixin, a professor at Shenzhen University, shared life wisdom from Zhuangzi, while Prof. Peter Ditmanson interpreted the global significance of reading from a cross-cultural perspective. Diplomats from various countries and international friends recited poems of their home countries on site, facilitating cross-linguistic and cultural dialogue through AI translation, which was a highlight of the event. Additionally, interactive sessions such as partner co-creation and fun book reading were organized, creating a lively atmosphere.
Guests admire Changsha Tongguan Kiln-themed creations produced by Peng Wangqiu, a provincial-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor.
In his address, Wu Wenhai noted that this conference is a vivid example of practicing the national strategy of national reading and encouraging positive interplay between culture and tourism. Zhangjiajie is fully committed to building the Greater Zhangjiajie International Tourism Area and creating a world-class tourist destination. The city's core competitiveness lies not only in its natural scenery but also in its cultural heritage and spiritual essence. He extended an invitation to the global community, welcoming people from all walks of life to jointly explore the civilization of mountains and waters, promote innovation in cultural tourism, and tell China's stories.
A Chinese artist performs classic opera excerpts during the opening ceremony.
The week-long conference features a series of activities, including study salons, canyon lecture series, intangible cultural heritage fairs, impromptu speeches, and reading-themed flash mobs. The event also launched the "Canyon Library Co-construction Initiative," calling for book donations from around the world. Participants will enjoy discounts at scenic areas and be eligible for prize draws.
Attendees noted that this event breaks away from traditional reading models by deeply integrating reading with natural landscapes, technology, and cultural tourism. The campaign elevates the experience of "visiting mountains and waters" to "reading mountains and waters," enriching cultural tourism experience while transforming reading into a fashionable lifestyle and a new travel trend. This initiative injects new momentum into the high-quality development of Zhangjiajie's cultural and tourism integration.
This article is from Hunan Provincial Government. www.enghunan.gov.cn.
Translator: Xiao Juan
Chinese source: hunantoday
