Nestled between the Yangtze and Minjiang rivers in Yibin City, Sichuan Province, White Tower Mountain stands as a living testament to China's cultural and natural legacy. Its Ming Dynasty-era White Tower, built in 1569, anchors a landscape where ancient city ruins, Buddhist temples, and limestone caves coexist with dramatic river vistas.
This year, the site gains renewed prominence as a sub-venue for China's 2026 Spring Festival Gala – the nation's most-watched cultural event. The selection underscores efforts to integrate historical preservation with contemporary celebrations, offering global audiences a window into Sichuan's rich heritage through state-of-the-art broadcasts.
Local authorities have prepared immersive experiences combining traditional lantern displays with augmented reality tours of the mountain's archaeological sites. "This fusion honors our ancestors while speaking to younger generations," said a cultural preservation officer involved in the preparations.
As Lunar New Year approaches on February 17, 2026, the mountain's dual role as both historical sanctuary and modern stage exemplifies China's approach to cultural continuity. Visitors can explore newly restored hiking trails leading to the White Tower, where panoramic views reveal why this 'mountain-water-city-tower' complex has inspired poets for centuries.
