Over the "May Day" mini-holiday, Hengyang City recorded a total passenger throughput of 1.0525 million person-times. On May 6, reporters learned from the Municipal Transportation Bureau that during this year's holiday period, the city's transportation system successfully completed all operational support tasks, safely handling 1.0525 million passengers with overall stable and orderly traffic operations.

    This year’s "May Day" period saw Hengyang launch a series of cultural and tourism events, attracting visitors from all directions to check in, fueling a continued boom in the cultural tourism market and a concentrated release of public travel demand. According to statistics from the Municipal Transportation Bureau, the total passenger volume during the holiday reached 1.0525 million person-times. Among these, high-speed rail travel accounted for a significant share, with 473,400 passengers; conventional railways handled 330,600 passengers; road coach services transported 228,000 passengers; civil aviation handled 12,900 passenger arrivals and departures; and waterway transport carried 7,500 passengers.

    To ensure the safe and convenient travel of the public, the city's transportation departments continuously intensified road patrols and emergency duty efforts. Traffic law enforcement agencies maintained strict oversight of key vehicles—specifically "three types of passenger vehicles and hazardous materials transports"—and carried out ongoing special inspections and rectifications to eliminate safety hazards promptly. Meanwhile, detailed diversion plans were formulated in advance for areas with heavy traffic flow, such as expressway service areas and popular scenic spots, ensuring efficient operation of the road network and safeguarding the public’s journey to their "poetry and distant horizons."

   The Second Nanyue Temple Fair Shehuo Festival kicked off at the Nanyueli Temple Fair Cultural Food Street in Hengyang City. The seven-day folk cultural carnival will run through January 1, 2026, presenting residents and visitors with a New Year cultural tourism feast that blends traditional charm with modern vitality. 

   This year's Shehuo Festival centers on two themes: "Staging Shehuo Folk Performances" and "Visiting the Temple Fair." While deeply exploring the thousand-year-old temple fair culture of Nanyue, the event innovatively incorporates trendy elements beloved by younger generations.

   During the event, visitors can not only enjoy intangible cultural heritage performances such as stilt walking, dragon and lion dances, fire tiger dances, and fireworks puppet shows, but also participate in interactive activities like the "A Thousand-Lantern Parade," "Three Gods of Fortune, Prosperity and Longevity Bringing Auspiciousness," and "Street Exploration." Tourists can also join in a dance around the bonfire and a party blending traditional Chinese elements with electronic music. On New Year's Eve, festivities will continue until midnight, including ceremonial events like a thousand people releasing wish balloons, creating a vibrant and festive atmosphere to welcome the new year.

Adhere to integrity and innovate, and adapt to the times.

While some cities forge ahead and capture attention, others focus inward and maintain their unique identity. By preserving its heritage and pursuing innovation, Hengyang has transformed a long-standing tradition into a modern symbol of city pride.

Originating in 1958, the Hengyang City-Circling Run has become a flowing genetic chain, weaving together the collective memories of generations and solidifying its status as the most iconic sports IP of the "Wild Goose City" (Hengyang’s nickname)

On April 26, as the starting gun echoed once again along the banks of the Xiang River, the 2025 Hengyang Spring City-Circling Run— a nostalgic, citywide sporting event— embarked on a new journey of urban branding with an innovative "sports + culture + tourism" approach. Riding the momentum of the third Hunan Tourism Development Conference, Hengyang has mastered the art of "writing the second half of the story": only by allowing classic IPs to sprout contemporary relevance can a city elevate its visibility and influence, thereby cultivating new competitive advantages through integrated development.

Run for Hengyang, Leap into Health

As health becomes a core driver of modern urban development, Hengyang— a southern Hunan city— is actively exploring new dimensions of urban growth through running.

Hengyang is using citywide running events as a foundation to promote a new healthy lifestyle. The colorful crowds running in the spring breeze symbolize the city's vitality and represent an innovative approach to integrating fitness into urban governance.

From the people-friendly promises of the "Health Management Year" to the strategic plan of building a "Strong Sports City", this spring running event is creating three types of value. It shows that health is an important part of urban development, it continues to develop the "Hengyang Sports" brand, and it turns people's projects into cultural symbols of the city.

With over 6,000 runners passing through the city's landmarks, this event with a record number of participants is showing the strong rhythm of the city's high-quality development through their solid steps.

Empowered by technology, the track goes "smart"

As digital waves sweep across the Xiangjiang River, this national innovative city is writing an urban evolution theory on its loop track.

The Hengyang City-Circling Run is not ordinary. It shows the city's smart side.

Not only are there robot "running companions" competing side-by-side with professional athletes, but also a three-dimensional safety net has been woven with the help of technology: drones are patrolling in the sky, intelligent devices are monitoring on the ground, and grid-based police forces are on patrol. These multiple safeguards ensure the race is in good order. An emergency cycling team was ready for action.

Elders and children celebrated by tapping smart bracelets, while professional chips recorded data and the crowd cheered. These tech elements enhanced the event, showed Hengyang's digital transformation, and highlighted its goal of using technology to create a better life.

Experience Upgraded, City Accelerates.

Development builds on heritage, and running signals breakthrough.

In recent years, Hengyang has upheld the principle of "Health through Hard Work". It has advanced the integration of fitness and urban growth, and sped up the building of a multi-level sports facility network. Leveraging its unique mountains and waters, the city has designed beautiful tracks. These let runners enjoy its ecology and enhance their immersive experience.

From the cultural depth of the "Millennium Wild Goose City" to the vitality of the "Sports City", from the evolution of the "Hengyang City-Circling Run" to the "Hengyang Marathon" brand upgrade, and from a great event to a city's all-round progress, we can see that Hengyang is finding balance between heritage and innovation. It is creating a "Hengyang speed" in integrating culture, tourism and sports.

Run Forever, Classics Stay New

As runners' footsteps wake the ancient city at dawn, Hengyang runs to the rhythm of spring. After over 60 years, this run not only promotes citizens' health and urban renewal but also fosters the "sports + cultural tourism" industry.

With culture as its core and innovation as its wings, Hengyang sprints forward. It turns history into future energy, proving that such a city remains forever young and full of possibilities.

"The moment we stepped off the bus, we felt Hengyang's warm welcome — we're so excited for this trip!" At 4 p.m today, a 22-member Singaporean tour group arrived at Hengyang Huiyanfeng Square, kicking off a three-day and two-night journey. Upon arrival, they were greeted by a welcoming symphony performance, leaving visitor Li Meiye full of praise for the city's hospitality.

Singaporean Tour Group Arrives in Hengyang

This marks the second Singaporean tour group to visit Hengyang since last year's Hunan Tourism Development Conference. Hu Qingguo, chairman of Hunan Overseas Travel Agency (Hengyang Branch), explained that the group primarily consists of middle-aged and elderly travelers over 50, arriving in two batches — the second group will begin their journey on March 19. Their itinerary includes iconic attractions such as the "First Peak of Nanyue" scenic area, Mount Heng (Nanyue Hengshan), Nanyueli food culture block, Baoweili cultural creative district, and "Xiangjian·Jianxiang" (namely meet Hunan and mold Hunan) industrial heritage zone to deeply experience Hengyang's unique charm.

Tour Group Visits the Dayan Cultural Exhibition Hall

That afternoon, the "First Peak of Nanyue" scenic area arranged immersive activities like guzheng (Chinese zither) performances and NPC interactions. To ensure smooth travel, the scenic area deployed ample security personnel and provided wheelchairs for elderly visitors with mobility challenges. "The scenery is beautiful, but the service is even warmer," praised tourist Sun Amei, giving a thumbs-up to the thoughtful arrangements.

"We always prioritize visitors' sense of participation, immersion, and experience — delivering maximum emotional value," said Hu Qingguo. He emphasized that the Hengyang municipal government and culture-tourism departments attach great importance to inbound tourism, with full follow-up on itinerary planning and service guarantees to precisely meet travelers' needs. This visitor-first philosophy has fostered a "two-way bond" between the city and its guests.

Since last year's Tourism Development Conference, Hengyang's inbound tourism has steadily grown, with notable increases in visitors from Singapore, Malaysia, and other Southeast Asian countries. Following this group, the city will soon welcome more tour groups from Hong Kong (China) and South Korea, further highlighting its rising appeal as a cultural and tourism destination.

On the morning of April 2, a memorial event titled "Honoring Southern Hunan Martyrs and Passing on the Revolutionary Flame" was held in front of the group statue at the Xiangnan Student Union Memorial Hall, with over 410 participants attending the solemn ceremony.

At 9 a.m, the event commenced as the host explained its purpose to all attendees. Subsequently, student representatives from Hechi Road Primary School, delegates from the Zhuhui District People’s Armed Forces Department, and representatives from the Xiangnan Student Union Memorial Hall delivered heartfelt recitations — "Martyrs’ Spirit in Memory Stay, Youth Recite with Hearts Sway", "Immortal Spirits, Eternal Monuments", and "Xiangnan Student Union in the Prime of Youth". Their words expressed reverence for the martyrs, veneration for heroic spirit, and a commitment to preserving and passing on revolutionary history. Following the recitations, ceremonial guards slowly carried wreaths to the martyrs’ group statue and placed them before it. Dignitaries were then invited to straighten the wreath ribbons. All attendees bowed in solemn tribute, removed their hats, and observed a moment of silence. Soft music played in the background, creating a solemn and respectful atmosphere as participants mourned the revolutionary martyrs with profound grief and remembrance.

After the silence, attendees laid flowers in tribute. Finally, guided by docents, more than 200 students from Hechi Road Primary School toured the Xiangnan Student Union Memorial Hall. Through historical artifacts, photographs, and archival materials on display, they gained a deeper understanding of the Xiangnan Student Union’s history, as well as the heroic deeds and noble spirit of its members — such as Xia Minghan and Jiang Xianyun — who sacrificed their lives for the revolutionary cause.

This memorial event allowed participants to collectively reflect on history, honor the martyrs’ contributions, and carry forward their legacy, inspiring all to strive tirelessly for the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

On April 7, it was reported by the Hengyang Municipal Bureau of culture, tourism, radio, television and sports that during the holiday of Qingming (known as Tomb Sweeping Day), Hengyang received a total of 576,400 tourists, generating revenue of 336.5155 million yuan. Among them, 17 cultural centers, libraries, and museums (memorial halls) welcomed a total of 198,800 visitors.

Additionally, Mount Heng (Nanyue Hengshan) received 222,600 tourists, with tourism revenue reaching approximately 268.8406 million yuan. The Dongzhou Island Scenic Area in Hengyang welcomed around 66,700 visitors, contributing approximately 16.5544 million yuan in tourism revenue.

This year’s Qingming holiday featured diverse travel preferences. For red tourism, many visitors chose to visit revolutionary martyr cemeteries and red tourism sites, embracing patriotic education by commemorating the heroic deeds of martyrs. For spring outings, urban attractions like the "Peach Blossom Waves of Dongzhou Island", suburban spots such as the Jinjia Pear Garden, and rural destinations like the Million Cherry Blossom Garden drew crowds of flower enthusiasts. For short-distance self-driving tours, popular destinations including Mount Heng (Nanyue Hengshan), Yumu Mountain in Zhengxiang District, Tiantang Mountain in Changning, and Jiangkou Bird Island in Hengnan County experienced peak traffic.

Notably, uncivilized tourist behavior significantly decreased compared to previous years, with no reported incidents of misconduct. Civilized, safe, eco-friendly, and harmonious tourism has become the prevailing trend.

It is reported that during this holiday, there were no valid complaints in the city’s cultural tourism market, no safety incidents, and all tourism-related operations proceeded smoothly.

On the afternoon of April 23, a special meeting on enhancing safety and services in the cultural tourism sector for the upcoming May Day holiday was held . Zhu Jian, Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Mayor, noted that with the drive to expand domestic demand and the push for cultural - tourism integration, this May Day is expected to be a peak travel period. He urged all levels and departments to seize this opportunity to enhance service quality and reinforce the safety baseline. The aim is to present the city as safe, orderly, civilized, and courteous, attracting visitors with top - notch tourism and a great consumption environment, and elevating the city's cultural and tourism industries.

During the meeting, the Municipal Bureau of Culture, Tourism, Radio, Television, and Sports provided a brief report on ensuring safety and optimizing services in the cultural and tourism sector during the May Day holiday. Relevant municipal departments delivered remarks on supporting work for the holiday period.

Zhu Jian emphasized the need to strengthen the analysis and forecasting of tourist flows in the cultural and tourism market during the May Day holiday, make comprehensive preparations for accommodations, transportation, and other services, and effectively enhance service support capabilities at "internet-famous spots" and characteristic commercial districts. He also stressed deepening the analysis of the May Day weather to ensure meteorological services, and promoting local cultural tourism resources to inspire people’s travel enthusiasm.

Zhu Jian demanded strengthened comprehensive safety safeguards for the cultural and tourism sector during the May Day holiday. For traditional popular attractions, he required the implementation of crowd control measures, with all-round and multi-dimensional guarantees covering transportation arrangements, price supervision, communication signal stability, and emergency complaint resolution. New popular scenic spots should implement grid management based on their capacity, formulate reception plans, improve service functions, and strengthen safety defenses. Deep - tourism organizations should implement measures combining primary responsibility and supervision by competent authorities to optimize services. This will promote innovation and quality improvement of tourism products and services. With unique cultural connotations and high - quality supply, they can meet visitors’ in - depth tourism needs.

Zhu Jian emphasized the necessity to strengthen the allocation and coordination of transportation resources, systematically advance the renovation and upgrading of key urban landscape nodes, and holistically enhance urban functionality, quality, and the holiday experience for visitors. Free parking lots in some government compounds should be opened in an orderly manner to alleviate citizens' parking pressure and enhance travel experiences. Efforts must be made to comprehensively strengthen standardized management of vendors around major attractions, strictly enforce regulations on designated stall locations and sanitation protocols, ensuring that the vibrant market atmosphere complements and elevates the city’s image. Additionally, rigorous implementation of duty arrangements and immediate identification and resolution of issues are critical to guaranteeing a safe and seamless holiday experience for all residents and visitors citywide.

The meeting was presided over by Deputy Mayor Xie Hong. Deputy Mayor and Public Security Bureau Chief Zhao Shengping and Secretary of the Municipal Government ， Liao Yizhi participated in it.

On the morning of April 26, Municipal Party Committee Secretary, Liu Yuegao, announced the start..

At 8:38 a.m., the thunderous crack of the starter 's pistol sent over 6,000 runners surging forward like arrows unleashed, charging toward the finish line, which ignited the atmosphere with thunderous applause .

Co-organized by the Hengyang Municipal Committee of CPC and the Hengyang Municipal People's Government, the 5-kilometer circuit race commenced at Shanshan Outlets Plaza, and went through Shuguang Road, Yinyan Road, and Xitiange West Road before returning to the starting point. A record number of participants from diverse groups competed in 16 categories, including c1ity government and enterprise employees, students and staff of various schools, individual businesses, and outdoor running clubs.

Notably, marathon associations and running clubs from 14 cities (prefectures), including Changsha, Shaoyang, Xiangtan, Loudi, Yiyang, and Xiangxi, were invited to participate. They explored the beautiful scenery of "Yancheng" on foot and put the slogan "Free weekend ？ Visit Hengyang!" into action through running. "It's the weekend, and I specifically brought my child here for this experiential event. After the run, we can visit nearby attractions and enjoy authentic Hengyang cuisine," said a runner from Loudi while warming up.

The competition employed an electronic chip timing system to record results, from when they crossed the start to the finish line. Incentives were given out in multiple categories: The top 20 finishers in each category - college students, the public, government employees, and out - of - town runners groups - received bonuses and certificates from the organizing committee. The top 40 in the worker group were rewarded.For primary and middle school student groups and others, relevant units determined and awarded prizes. Participating organizations could also reward those who ranked highly.

Since its first shot in 1958, the Hengyang Ring - City Race has evolved in lockstep with the city's urban development. Transforming from a New Year long-distance race with just over a thousand participants to a comprehensive brand event integrating cultural tourism experiences and catering to all age groups, it has grown into a cherished civic institution deeply rooted in citizens' lives.

On the first day of the May Day holiday, Mount Heng Scenic Area encountered an early surge of visitors, with major attractions thronged with travelers. Faced with the massive influx of tourists, the scenic area ensured "orderly and secure" tourism environment on the first day of the holiday through predictive analysis, scientific scheduling, smart management, and warm - hearted services. Tourists could fully enjoy the poetic scenery among the green hills and swirling clouds.

At expressway exits, a constant stream of vehicles parked in the free lots with the guidance of public security officers, traffic police, and duty officers. Then free shuttle buses and public buses ensured smooth "last - mile" transportation. "Complimentary services, premium quality," remarked Mr. Liu, a Changsha tourist, with satisfaction. Meanwhile, Nanyue District tourism police maintained round - the - clock patrols to combat irregularities,while market regulators were closely monitoring to elimitate acts like selling high - priced incense and setting up temporary stalls. Free tea, emergency medicines, and route guidance were available at ticket offices and parking lots of scenic spots, with volunteers in red vests offering warm - hearted services for tourists.At venues like "Nanyue Li" and "City of Time·1944," millions of cultural and tourism consumption coupons surged in popularity. Visitors enjoyed peonies, savor delicacies, and visit the "Zhurong Probe" Space Experience, pervaded by joy and harmony.

Mount Heng Scenic Area On the opening day, the scenic area (including Shouyue Resort Area) welcomed 137,200 visitors, marking a 35.98% year-on-year surge, while generating tourism revenue of 146.6224 million yuan– a 42.85% increase compared to 2022 figures.

During the May Day holiday, Hengyang’s cultural and tourism sector continued to thrive. Over the five-day period, the city received a total of 2.8659 million tourist visits, generating a tourism revenue of 1.3133514 billion yuan. Among them, The Nanyue scenic area witnessed its peak daily visitor capacity, while bookings for homestays and hotels surged by 45%. Even barbecue stalls were overwhelmed, with some still turning over tables at 3 a.m. With a powerful “cultural tourism combo,” this low-profile city successfully reshaped the perception of travelers from across the country.

Time City·1944 Scenic Area Packed with Visitors (Photo by Correspondent Cao Zhengping)

Soaring Data! Nanyue’s Single-Day Reception Rivals a Small-Scale Concert

The tourism data from Hengyang’s May Day holiday is striking: 27 monitored scenic spots received a total of 2.8659 million visitors over five days, averaging 570,000 visitors per day—surpassing the permanent population of Nanyue District. Total tourism revenue reached 1.313 billion yuan, with nearly 82% contributed by the Nanyue Scenic Area. The income from ticket sales and voucher redemptions alone garnered widespread attention. Accommodation demand soared, with 21 hotels receiving 15,900 overnight guests. Lippo International Hotel reported over 100,000 yuan in single-day revenue. Nanyue homestays were fully booked two weeks in advance. Cultural venues also became top attractions, with museums and libraries receiving 289,500 visitors. At intangible cultural heritage experience zones, queues lasted over two hours, and educational family trips turned into cultural study tours.

Innovative Experiences! From Wuxia Role-Playing to Grassland Music Festivals—Hengyang Delivers "Unexpected Charm"

Tourists in Hanfu at Nanyue (Photo by Correspondent Cao Zhengping)

Why are tourists flying in just to visit Hengyang?

At Nanyue Grand Temple, a live-action Wuxia role-playing game transported visitors back a millennium, allowing them to unlock a 12-hour storyline as martial heroes, with NPCs providing full immersion. Every snapshot resembled a "martial arts blockbuster." The peony flower sea in Nanyue also became a hotspot for traditional Hanfu rentals—over 300 sets rented daily—as visitors posed for photos among historic architecture.

At Dapu Aviation Base, high-altitude skydiving provided a true adrenaline rush, with participants saying it was “ten times more exciting than a roller coaster.” In Shigu District, the grassland music and food festival recreated the Inner Mongolian experience in Hunan, with a hundred-person whole-lamb feast and starry-sky parties, offering visitors a day-to-night lineup of flowers and music, leaving tourists exclaiming, "There’s not enough time!"

During the holiday, Yanfeng District’s “Lie-Flat and Win” campaign trended online. A “zoning out” contest awarded a recliner to the most relaxed contestant, while the flash dance zone turned into a spontaneous dance party.

Tickets for the performance of Les Choristes at Poly Grand Theatre sold out in advance, as parents brought their children to enjoy heavenly music. Meanwhile, AR-enhanced exhibitions at museums gave voice to cultural relics, letting children learn history through games such as touhu (pitch-pot), prompting the remark: “It’s more fun than playing on the phone.”

Unmatched Hospitality: Free Parking and 15-Minute Rapid Response Make Hengyang a Service Benchmark

Dense Crowds on Shifu Road (Photo by Wang Haoyong)

Struggling to park? Not here! Over 2,000 free parking spaces were opened at government institutions, while traffic police adopted lenient enforcement for vehicles with seven seats or fewer, and electronic crowd-monitoring systems provided real-time visitor flow alerts at scenic spots.

Nanyue distributed 10,000-yuan consumption vouchers, while six attractions in Hengnan waived entry fees, and Meihua Amusement Park in Hengyang County offered tickets for just 9.9 yuan—ensuring that students and family groups can enjoy themselves to the fullest.

In response to tourism-related inquiries and complaints, the 12301 hotline maintained a 15-minute response time and a two-hour resolution time. Only four complaints were received during the entire holiday period, all of which were minor. Tourists expressed their satisfaction, saying, “It’s even more efficient than dealing with issues in my own neighborhood.”

Netizens Praise: “Hengyang Knows How to Win Us Over—We’re Coming Back!”

“Nanyue was amazing! From morning to night, from the mountain to the town, every moment was a new experience!”

“Took my child to the museum—he said it was more fun than a cram school. Money well spent!”

“Our homestay host helped us rent a car at midnight—people in Hengyang are just so kind. We’re definitely coming again!”

This May Day, Hengyang demonstrated its strength with soaring data, attracted fans nationwide with creative tourism offerings, and earned a stellar reputation through guest-first sincerity. As this “hidden gem” city continues to build on the outcomes of the Tourism Development Conference, its efforts to attract visitors are gaining momentum. We look forward to Hengyang’s cultural and tourism sector maintaining its strong growth trajectory.

On April 22, Beijing News Think Tank released its Top 50 Cities with Online Popularity Potential (2025) ranking. Hengyang made a strong leap, climbing 17 spots to break into the national top 20.

Many locals never expected that this ordinary city—where they live day in and day out, a place as familiar as the back of their hands—would one day become a go-to destination in countless photo albums and a trending hashtag on social media.

And yet, attentive Hengyang residents have started to notice subtle changes in their everyday lives.

Strolling down the street on a weekend, they might hear dialects from across the country. Scrolling through social media, posts like “What are the must-see spots in Hengyang?” pop up again and again. When friends from other provinces reach out for travel tips… that’s when Hengyang’s “internet fame” becomes something you can actually see and feel.

So, when did Hengyang first go viral? And what exactly sparked its rise to online stardom?

Tourism Development Conference Lays the Groundwork:

From “Spotlight Moments” to “Sustained Prosperity”

On April 16, “City of Time: 1944,” located in Nanyue District, officially opened its doors. This immersive film-and-theater resort, with a total investment of 510 million yuan and covering 45,000 square meters, went viral almost instantly thanks to its stunning recreation of 1940s Hengyang.

But this breakout cultural tourism project is just one of many new attractions that have sprung up across Hengyang in recent years.

In fact, Hengyang has been actively pushing forward its “City Built on Manufacturing, City Flourishing Through Culture and Tourism” development strategy. So, when exactly did Hengyang start trending? If there’s one moment that truly marked the turning point, it would have to be the 3rd Hunan Tourism Development Conference. Or rather, riding that wave, Hengyang laid the groundwork for all the success that followed.

In September 2024, the 3rd Hunan Tourism Development Conference was held in Hengyang. Around that time, every move the city made seemed to capture public attention and frequently went viral online. But in truth, the opportunities brought by the conference began long before that.

Thanks to the event, the city launched a comprehensive internal upgrade—from urban and rural landscape renewal to improved living environments and the development of tourist attractions.

When it comes to attractions, old sites were revitalized and new ones dazzled. There’s the Jianxiang Industrial Culture Block that revives Hengyang’s “industrial memory,” the Republic of China–style makeover of Zhongshan North and South Roads—some of the most iconic streets in the city—and the interactive, educational Zhuhong Fire-Exploration Space Experience Center. Hengyang has been exploring deep integration between “culture + tourism” and “culture + technology,” actively promoting a blended model of “communities, commercial zones, and scenic areas.” Eighteen key tourism projects stood out during conference inspections, driving the rollout of 68 additional culture-tourism initiatives.

The city also tackled aging infrastructure head-on—removing cracked, sunken, and bloated roadbeds, repaving with asphalt, and replacing broken curbs, drainage panels, and sidewalks.

When it comes to livability, it’s not just about appearances—it’s about substance. Last year, the city renovated 82 aging residential communities, addressed 46 public service needs, and resolved 446 pressing issues raised by residents. These efforts not only made Hengyang more livable but also left a lasting impression on visitors.

A city with beauty and depth—how could anyone not fall for Hengyang?

Keeping the Buzz Alive:

From “A Moment of Dazzle” to “Year-Round Brilliance”

On the evening of April 12, the Liuyang Fireworks New Product Showcase made its dazzling debut in the Nanyue Li Temple Fair Cultural and Food District. Over the course of 90 minutes, 41 new fireworks designs lit up the sky in a spectacular display, drawing tens of thousands of visitors.

Golden fireworks soared like dragons, silver sparks streaked like meteors; a phoenix-shaped firework unfurled its glowing tail across the night sky, scattering clouds of radiant color; starry showers cascaded like the Milky Way, prompting gasps of awe from the crowd.

In fact, since its stunning launch, Nanyue Li has hosted at least one small event every week and a major highlight every month. The steady stream of excitement has kept visitors’ eyes—and cameras—firmly locked on the destination.

Here, tourists can also experience a range of traditional Chinese cultural performances: the shadow puppetry of Hengshan, known as a “living fossil” of ancient art; mesmerizing face-changing acts from Sichuan opera; and da tie hua, the iron-flower firework tradition with over a thousand years of history. All part of the area’s rich intangible cultural heritage.

The Tourism Development Conference may be short-lived, but as long as the excitement continues, it never truly ends.

And it’s not just Nanyue Li. Shift the scene to Huiyan Peak Scenic Area.

Winter food carnivals, the “Returning Wild Goose” New Year pop music concert, and the first beer-food-electronic music party of 2025—since last year’s conference, Huiyan Peak has turned itself into a cultural hotspot, transforming one-time visitors into frequent guests with its vibrant calendar of events.

Scenic beauty captures the eye, but it’s culture that captures the heart. Beyond the natural landscapes, the Hengyang Poly Theatre has emerged as a surprise crowd favorite.

The dance drama Wang Chuanshan, originally produced in Hengyang and debuted in Beijing, returned to its hometown to great acclaim. The poetic dance drama Poetic Dance: The Only Green, which stunned audiences at the CCTV Spring Festival Gala, was faithfully restaged here. The beloved Huangmei opera The Female Prince Consort, long considered a classic, graced the stage on “Imperial Street.” Even the group “Ladies of Jiuxuan” brought a “Jay Chou-style” Lantern Festival performance—an audiovisual feast. From classical to contemporary, from elegant to edgy, top-tier productions are on constant rotation at the Poly Theatre, attracting fans from far beyond the city.

“I’ve been looking forward to seeing The Five Stars Rise in the East for a long time. It never came to Changsha, so I made a special trip just to see it,” said Song Zixuan, a visitor from Changsha.

“Why does Hengyang have so many top-tier performances, and back-to-back too…” one netizen from out of town wrote with clear envy.

Major sporting events have also opened a new “flow valve” for bringing fresh attention—and visitors—to Hengyang.

Back in 2019, the inaugural Hengyang International Marathon kicked off in full stride. With 15,000 runners from over 100 cities across more than 10 countries, the event infused the city with a distinctly international vibe.

Fast forward to December 2024—the Qidi Pharmaceuticals 2024 Hengyang Marathon wrapped up successfully. After a five-year hiatus, the event returned at a higher level, officially recognized as an A1-class race by the Chinese Athletics Association. Participation surged as well, with over 20,000 runners from home and abroad hitting the pavement, measuring the streets of Yan City with their strides and soaking in the dynamic, energetic spirit of beautiful Hengyang.

Celebrities and Influencers Boost Appeal: From "Traffic Influx" to "Emotional Connection"

Hengyang has mastered the dynamics of the "influencer economy," skillfully blending star power with local culture to transform online traffic into genuine emotional resonance.

From July 14 to 16, 2023, Joker Xue's concert series took the city by storm, drawing over 100,000 attendees—14% (about 14,000) local residents and 86% (approximately 86,000) visitors from outside Hengyang.

Over those three days, the city won widespread acclaim online by showcasing its charm through heartfelt hospitality and meticulous service, while also driving significant growth in cultural tourism spending.

Official statistics show that during the concert period, key sectors—including urban hotel stays, local dining revenue, and visitor numbers to attractions (Nanyue District and the four urban districts)—all surged by over 50%.

Hengyang's warmth also captivated another star.

In early December, Kenji Wu visited Nanyue for a program shoot. On December 14, he took to social media to share a video promoting Hengyang’s cultural tourism, enthusiastically declaring, "Just a year apart, and you’ve transformed so much!" and " Hengyang—it’s time to go viral!" His glowing endorsement sparked a flood of comments like, "This makes me want to visit Hengyang!" and "I’ve decided: My first stop back in Hunan will be Hengyang!" This wasn’t Wu’s first time in the city—his earlier performances and interactions had already cemented his fondness for it.

On December 3,2023,Wu attended the QQ Music Peak Night Concert at the Hengyang Sports Center.On a cold night with temperatures below 10℃,Wu wore a self-made"Hengyang"vest and interacted warmly with the audience by"writing poems for them."A loving audience member attached a hot water bag to his back.After the concert,Wu specially posted on social media@Hengyang,"Thank you for being my hot water bag,"and stated,"Hengyang,I will come again!"

Kenji Wu is not alone.Hengyang,a city that rarely saw visits from celebrities in the past,has now become a popular destination for many stars and internet influencers.The city and its visitors are achieving mutual success.

On August 24 of last year, Liu Yase, a Hengyang native actress and singer, was appointed as the Tourism Ambassador for Hengyang.

On the evening of October 13, 2023, Jeff Chang's Future Tour Concert was held grandly at the Hengyang Sports Center. Jeff Chang shared his Vlog from his visit to Bao Wei Li, and the official microblog of the concert also encouraged people to visit Hengyang on weekends. The travel blogger Fang Qi Kiki, who has tens of millions of followers, posted a video on social media saying," I'm recording your hometown, and this stop is Hengyang." Many netizens from other places commented, "Hengyang is still too modest!"

In addition, a variety shows and cultural programs have chosen to film in Hengyang.

In March of last year, the variety show "We Three" was filmed in Hengyang, with stars such as Wei Daxun, Mao Buyi, and Guo Qilin making appearances in the city. In the show "Go to the Flavorful Place in Hunan," during the Hengyang episode, in addition to Wang Han and Wu Zelin, Hengyang native male singer Liu Cong was also invited to explore the local cuisine and culture together...

The support from numerous celebrities has helped Hengyang's tourism and culture to "go viral." Data shows that during the 2025 Spring Festival, Hengyang City received a total of 7.0293 million visitors, a year-on-year increase of 41.38%;the total tourism expenditure reached 7.19 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 51.97%;and the number of visitors from outside the province reached 2.7669 million, with both the total number and the growth rate ranking first in the province.

Steady and Long-term Visitor Reputation: From "Hardware Upgrades" to "Software Leap"

The core of sustainable tourism and cultural development lies in visitor experience. Hengyang has built a tourism ecosystem that delights both local residents and distant visitors through meticulous services. On March 10 and 13,two"China National Guest" tourist trains from Northeast China arrived in Hengyang, Hunan, and were warmly welcomed and well taken care of by the entire city.

The city's culture, tourism, radio, and sports bureau chief braved the rain to greet the visitors late at night. More than 20 tourist buses were neatly lined up, and over 20 tour guides waved to welcome the elderly tourists who had traveled all the way from the Northeast. As soon as they stepped out of Hengyang Station, these visitors felt the warmth and thoughtfulness of the city. Over the following days, they strolled along Zhongshan South Road, climbed Huiyan Peak, visited Shigu Academy, checked in at Bao Wei Li, and savored Hengyang's delicious cuisine, immersing themselves in the city's endless charm. Compared to Hengyang's food and scenery, the meticulous services left an even deeper impression on the train passengers. You Yong, a visitor from Dalian, wrote" Reflections on Hengyang" and presented it to the city on behalf of all the Northeastern tourists. In his writing, he stated, "This city, which has hospitality encoded in its DNA, is uniquely interpreting the ancient saying 'When friends come from afar.'" In his view, "The hospitality of Hengyang people is not just on their lips, but in their hearts and in the unnoticeable details."

To make the visiting guests feel at home, the local tourism and culture authorities have made great efforts.

After exiting Hengyang Railway Station,20 buses provided seamless transportation, ensuring that visitors could check into their hotels without any waiting time. In addition, to meet the personalized needs of elderly tourists, hotels had prepared anti-slip mats and age-friendly slippers in advance and offered free multi-functional chargers. In terms of dining, the city provided dishes that not only showcased the characteristics of Hengyang stir-fries but also catered to the taste preferences of Northeastern visitors with a moderate level of spiciness.

"Hengyang people are just too kind！" "I'll definitely come back to Hengyang someday." "Thank you to the people of Hengyang for their warm hospitality. "The high-quality services have earned excellent reputations. It is understood that in the second half of the year, Hengyang is expected to receive another 8 to 10"silver-haired" tourist trains from the Northeast. Moreover, to prepare for the upcoming "May Day" holiday, Hengyang held a special meeting on tourism industry safety and service optimization for the "May Day" period. The meeting required enhanced prediction and analysis of tourist flows, strengthened transportation scheduling and command, and comprehensive safety guarantees to fully improve the visitor experience.

In the future, Hengyang, this ancient city with a history of thousands of years, will continue to welcome visitors from all directions with an open and inclusive attitude. The saying "Wild geese do not fly further south than Hengyang, and visitors do not wish to leave Hengyang" will become an eternal footnote to the city.

Hunan’s first Railway Old Object Exhibition Hall opened in the cultural and creative block of Baoweili, Hengyang City on December 8, with nearly a thousand railway old objects and pictures are on exhibit.

The exhibition hall covers an area of 22 square meters. The exhibits are divided into railway employees’ work and daily necessities, people’s lives and railways, and souvenirs of important railway events.

Entering the exhibition hall, two models dressed in male and female railway uniforms are displayed in the center, showcasing the 2019 railway uniform and high-speed train attendant uniform.

In the exhibition area of railway employees’ work and daily necessities, nearly a hundred old objects are neatly arranged, including large caps, work bags of conductors, running conductor toolboxes, various railway signal lights and flags from the 1950s, 1960s, and 1990s, railway communication devices used since the 1940s, special inspection hammers and flashlights used by drivers, passengers, and train inspectors, as well as photos of railway workers wearing and using equipment and tools from different eras.

In the exhibition area of people’s life and railways, there are more than 10 train timetables over the years and various old objects used by ordinary people to take trains, such as over a hundred old train tickets and platform tickets from the 1950s to the present. Among them, there are train tickets for the first day of the new century, old cardboard card tickets from the 1950s, old train tickets that combine simplified and traditional Chinese characters, and discounted tickets to Shaoshan in the 1970s. There are also hundreds of paper, cardboard, and colorful platform tickets that have been discontinued, including rarer train and platform tickets printed with advertisements in the 1980s and 1990s.

The exhibition hall also houses many souvenirs of major railway events, such as souvenirs issued for the sixth railway speedup, as well as postal first day covers and first day train tickets for the opening of important railway trunk lines like the Qinghai-Xizang Railway, Beijing-Kowloon Railway, Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-speed Railway, Guangdong-Hainan Railway, Shimen-Changsha Railway, and Guangzhou-Kowloon Through Train.

The exhibition hall also displays over 500 railway themed stamps issued by more than 70 countries and regions around the world over the years, reflecting the 200-year railway development in the world.

Hengyang Nanyue Airport welcomed its one millionth passenger on the morning of December 14. The passenger flow in an airport is a barometer of the local economic development. The industrial and trade connections between Hengyang City and coastal areas as well as economically strong cities across the country are becoming increasingly close.

In particular, as the third Hunan Tourism Development Conference was successfully held in Hengyang City, the catering culture and concert economy are booming in Hengyang City, which drives a significant increase in passenger flows for business and tourism at Nanyue Airport.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the opening of Hengyang Nanyue Airport. On the basis of the good service reputation established in the early stage, the airport has once again launched a series of measures to improve service quality and efficiency. This has won widespread praise from passengers and helped the airport win the title of “Excellent Airport in Service Quality” by the China Civil Airports Association for three consecutive years.

At present, the airport has access to 24 popular domestic business and tourism cities, and the main production data are firmly in the forefront of provincial regional airports.

It is expected that in 2024, the airport will handle 10,100 flights, and the passenger throughput will reach 1.04 million, an increase of about 10% and 17% respectively compared with 2023.

A unique cultural and natural exchange event came to an end at the Mount Heng Scenic Area of Hengyang City. The event lasted for one month. Representatives from 56 ethnic groups in China participated in it, showcasing their unique ethnic cultures and experiencing the profound historical and cultural heritage of Mount Heng.

Mount Heng has magnificent natural scenery and profound culture. This event promoted traditional Chinese culture and fostered mutual understanding and respect among different ethnic groups through a series of diverse cultural exchanges and natural experience activities. Nanyue Temple, Wanshou Tripod, Tea Cafe of Nanyue Temple, Nanyueli, couplets of Half-hill Pavilion, and Zhurong Peak were the main destinations during the event.

Dressed in their traditional costumes, they took a group photo in front of the Nanyue Temple, tasted authentic delicacies at the Tea Cafe of Nanyue Temple and Nanyueli, enjoyed the couplets of Half-hill Pavilion and Zhu Rongfeng.

After the event, they said that this trip to Mount Heng provided them with unforgettable experiences and deepened their understanding of Chinese culture.

This year, Hengyang City was selected into the third batch of national pilot cities for child-friendly city construction. To better promote the concept of being child-friendly and achieve the vision of being child friendly, a parent-child fun run activity was held at the Shoufeng Square in Huiyan Peak of Hengyang City.

At the opening ceremony, the logo and slogan for the construction of Hengyang as a child-friendly city were officially released.

The video about 100 child-friendly details in Hengyang city was played, allowing people to feel the warmth of the city. Three “little recommendation officers” from Hengyang shared the details on the site.

At the opening ceremony, a child-friendly parent-child tour route was launched in Hengyang City. It’s the first child-friendly parent-child travel route in the province. Such key projects as Nanyue Wanshou Square, Nanyueli Cultural Tourism Complex and Shigu Academy are on the route.