As Haikou prepares to host the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo this month, its historic Qilou Old Street is capturing global attention through cinematic lenses. The recently released film The Day We Lit Up the Sky transforms the 100-year-old arcaded street into a living stage, showcasing its unique blend of Eastern and Western architectural heritage through vibrant storytelling.
Visitors walking beneath the street's faded shutters and carved columns now experience what director Chen Weiting describes as "a dialogue between historical preservation and modern creativity." Local businesses report a 40% surge in foot traffic since the film's premiere, with many tourists reenacting scenes against the backdrop of iconic shopfronts.
The upcoming expo, set to welcome over 3,000 brands from 65 countries and regions, will feature dedicated exhibits on cultural tourism development. Expo organizers tell KhabarAsia that three new augmented reality tours inspired by the film's locations will debut during the event.
For Asian diaspora communities and cultural explorers, this convergence of commerce and heritage offers unique opportunities. Malaysian-Chinese investor Li Wenqiang notes: "What makes Qilou special is how it makes economic development walk hand-in-hand with historical identity – a lesson for urban renewal projects across Asia."
