ISLAMABAD: The China Cultural Center in Pakistan and the Cultural Office of the Embassy of China in Pakistan have initiated a series of online initiatives to showcase the tourism appeal of the Grand Canal to Pakistani and global audiences.
According to a press release, this season will feature nearly 100 activities worldwide, spotlighting the natural beauty, cultural richness, and historical significance of this ancient waterway, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
These activities encompass a variety of events including photography exhibitions, video broadcasts, interactive online exhibitions, and tourism route showcases. Among them are promotional videos and photography exhibitions highlighting the diverse cities and provinces through which the Grand Canal flows, including Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Shandong, and Henan.
The Grand Canal, stretching from Beijing in the north to Zhejiang province in the south, stands as the world’s earliest, largest, and longest man-made canal. Its UNESCO designation in 2014 marked a significant recognition of its cultural and historical importance.
The official launch ceremony of the China’s Grand Canal Tourism Overseas Promotion Season 2024 was recently held in Wuxi, China, on April 2, 2024. During this event, the Network of International Culturalink Entities (NICE) and BMW China unveiled the Grand Canal Culture Protection and Education Project.
Additionally, various measures were introduced by the Department of Culture and Tourism, the Foreign Affairs Office of Jiangsu Provincial People’s Government, and the People’s Bank of China Jiangsu Branch aimed at enhancing inbound tourism experiences, addressing concerns such as accessibility to tourism information, payment options, language barriers, and tailored travel routes.
This event, now in its second edition since 2022, is a collaborative effort involving the Network of International Culturalink Entities (NICE), the Department of Culture and Tourism of Jiangsu Province, and the Wuxi Municipal People’s Government.
The “China’s Grand Canal Tourism Overseas Promotion Season 2024” will be held online, offering a diverse program each day showcasing aspects of the Grand Canal, including local cultural promotions, documentaries on intangible cultural heritage, photo exhibitions, and more. Audiences in Pakistan and worldwide can access these engaging activities through the official Facebook page of the China Cultural Center in Pakistan (www.facebook.com/cccenterinpak).
