Hebei Hosts Fourth Great Wall Rendezvous to Promote Cultural Heritage

The fourth "Great Wall Rendezvous" global promotion campaign and World Cultural Heritage dialogue opened on September 27 in Qian'an, Hebei Province. Jointly organized by provincial and municipal tourism authorities alongside China News Service units, the event gathered domestic and international scholars and photographers to examine heritage conservation, unveil curated travel itineraries, and conduct field dialogues along regional fortifications.

The gathering reflects local and regional efforts in northern China to integrate physical cultural preservation with tourism development and international cultural communication, aligning with ongoing national cultural park initiatives.

The fourth "Great Wall Rendezvous" global promotion campaign and World Cultural Heritage dialogue opened on September 27 in Qian'an, a county-level city administered by Tangshan in Hebei Province, according to state-run China News Service. The event gathered domestic and international scholars, researchers, and photographers to examine Great Wall cultural preservation and promote cross-cultural exchange. Co-organized by the Hebei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, the Tangshan Municipal People's Government, and the China Great Wall Tourism Marketing Promotion Alliance, the conference is being managed by entities including the Hebei bureau of China News Service, China News Service Guoshi Zhitongche, the publicity department of the Tangshan municipal Party committee, the Tangshan municipal culture, radio, television, and tourism bureau, and the Qian'an municipal government. Organizers stated that the initiative aims to utilize the Great Wall as a cultural connective bond, supporting the protection, inheritance, and practical utilization of world cultural heritage while expanding public awareness and international outreach. During the thematic presentation portion of the opening, organizers staged a theatrical production titled "Great Wall Echoes: Long Scroll of Mountains and Rivers." The performance chronicled the historical lineage of the site, beginning with Ming dynasty commander Qi Jiguang's border defense efforts, and incorporated multiple art forms, including traditional Leting dagu (Leting drum ballad). The dramatization traced the fortification's history through its initial construction, garrison duty, wartime defense, and contemporary artifact restoration. Alongside the stage production, conference organizers officially released a collection of curated Great Wall travel itineraries designed to make local historical resources accessible to tourists. Keynote addresses delivered by participating specialists examined contemporary approaches to preserving the monument across cultural and operational dimensions. The broader program features an interview series titled "Great Wall Night Talks," a 2026 Qian'an walking activity, an expert panel examining the Great Wall's historical and contemporary significance, and an on-site field study tour along regional heritage sections.