Zhuoni showcases tourism charm in Xi'an to bolster cross-regional cooperation

A cultural and tourism promotion event for Zhuoni county in Gannan Tibetan autonomous prefecture was held in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, on June 30, themed "Sacred Gannan, Journey of the Soul".

Led by Chen Tianxing, deputy Party secretary and county magistrate of Zhuoni, the delegation joined tourism enterprises, homestay operators, travel agencies, self-driving tour clubs, industry representatives, media outlets and social media influencers. The event aimed to strengthen cultural and tourism exchanges between Shaanxi and Gansu provinces, expand tourist markets and advance coordinated regional development.

Hosted by the CPC Zhuoni County Committee, the Zhuoni County People's Government and China State Construction Engineering Corporation, and organized by the county's Bureau of Culture, Sports, Radio, Film and Tourism, the event featured promotional videos, ethnic performances and thematic presentations highlighting Zhuoni's unique ecological landscapes and profound Tibetan cultural heritage.

Chen noted that Xi'an's rich historical culture and Zhuoni's pristine plateau ecology offer distinctive complementary advantages. Strategically located at the junction of the Loess Plateau and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Zhuoni serves as a key link on the Gansu-Qinghai-Sichuan tourism corridor, integrating ecological scenery, centuries-old chieftain culture, revolutionary heritage and intangible cultural resources, along with improved transportation networks and upgraded homestay facilities, making it an ideal destination for summer retreats, self-driving tours, camping and cultural exploration.

Known as the "Hometown of Tibetan Chieftains and Secret Land of Gannan", Zhuoni is home to a time-honored Tao ink stone culture, well-preserved Tibetan chieftain traditions and rich history. Local intangible cultural heritage, including the Balang drum dance, distinctive Tibetan costumes and ethnic epics, adds depth to the local cultural experience, while ancient Tibetan villages and Buddhist temples embody profound historical charm.

With an altitude difference of nearly 3,000 meters, Zhuoni features diverse alpine scenery across its varied terrain. The 4A-level Dayu Valley Scenic Area is reputed as a "mini Jiuzhaigou on the plateau", while the iconic Jiangdie Highway, widely regarded as one of China's most beautiful self-driving routes, offers year-round panoramic views of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, valleys and forests.

Two exclusive tourism routes linking Xi'an and Gannan were unveiled at the event, catering to group travel, summer road trips and in-depth vacation experiences. The routes connect major scenic spots across Gannan and integrate ethnic customs, revolutionary tourism and alpine wellness experiences.

The event also spotlighted Zhuoni's distinctive food culture, including Tibetan chieftain-style feasts and Taohe River-themed delicacies, as well as clusters of high-quality homestays nestled in mountain valleys and traditional Tibetan villages, offering immersive highland accommodation experiences.

Local tourism enterprises conducted in-depth exchanges with Xi'an industry partners, reaching consensus on resource sharing, joint promotion and long-term cooperation. Outstanding partners were awarded "Zhuoni Tourism Ambassador" certificates to facilitate sustained cross-regional exchanges.

To expand public reach, the delegation staged cultural flash performances and livestreamed promotions at Xi'an's landmarks including Datang Everbright City and the Tang Paradise.

A series of grand cultural and tourism activities is scheduled in Zhuoni from July 2 to 15, featuring ethnic sports meetings, national self-driving tour launch ceremonies and folk singing contests to welcome visitors nationwide.

The event builds a new bridge for cultural and tourism cooperation between Shaanxi and Gansu, with both regions set to deepen strategic ties, co-launch high-quality tourism routes and share development opportunities as part of broader efforts to drive high-quality tourism growth in western China.