At Kaifeng's Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, visitors in 2026 are transported to the Song Dynasty era through Song Banquet, an immersive dining experience combining court music with revived culinary traditions. Spearheaded by Wang Shuang, a National People's Congress deputy and chairperson of Kaifeng Qingming Shanghe Garden, the project exemplifies China's push to transform cultural heritage into interactive tourism.
"The cultural tourism sector is accelerating with relentless innovation," said Wang. "Experiential consumption and emotional value have become the market's driving forces."
This year's upgrades include an extended reality (XR) cinematic journey reanimating classical Chinese paintings, alongside interactive role-play events and aerial performances. The initiatives aim to position Kaifeng as a leader in Asia's $1.2 trillion experiential tourism market, appealing particularly to younger travelers seeking connection with historical narratives.
Analysts note such innovations align with the Chinese mainland's 2026 cultural tourism targets, which prioritize sustainable economic growth through localized heritage preservation. With overseas investor interest rising, Kaifeng's model offers insights for regional markets balancing modernization with tradition.
