During the 2026 New Year holiday, tourist attractions at all levels in Huaihua spared no efforts to create a vibrant festive atmosphere and launched a series of diverse activities related to culture and tourism. These efforts fully fueled the vitality of the tourism sector and enhanced visitor experiences. According to statistics, the 57 monitored tourist areas in the city received a total of 378,400 visits over the three-day period, marking a good start for the culture and tourism market.
Themed activities were colorful and splendid
During the New Year holiday, Huaihua offered a variety of themed activities related to culture and tourism across the region, providing visitors with rich and diverse experiences. On the evening of December 31, 2025, the original life drama “Welcome to Huaihua” made its debut as part of the regular performance series at the Huaihua Grand Theater. As the lights in the theater illuminated the stage, a civilization spanning millennia came to life through song and dance, gradually unfolding a romantic tale of a Dong ethnic boy and a Yao ethnic girl. The performance invited every audience to immerse themselves in this heartwarming tale. Meanwhile, the Huaihua Municipal Museum and Huaihua Municipal Library hosted a series of events, including the traditional folk paper-cutting activity, the calligraphy and painting invitation exhibition, and poetry-inspired riddle guessing for blessings. Visitors and residents alike experienced the charm of traditional culture through the elegance of ink and brush, as well as creative hands-on activities, ushering in a vibrant and energetic new year.
Feature-themed activities across the counties or districts within Huaihua city were equally colorful and captivating. On the evening of January 1, the ancient commercial town in Hongjiang glimmered with brilliant lights as the debut of the 2026 “Super Stage: Sing for the Ancient Commercial Town” kicked off. A stunning drone performance drew crowds of visitors to the scene. In Yuanling County, the New Year’s Eve Soundwave Night featuring “Music Permeating Chenzhou” was held in Longzhou (Dragon Boat) Plaza, with local cultural performances and interactive segments inside, creating a warm and festive atmosphere at the New Year’s Eve. In Mayang, the Nanmuqiao Cloud Forest Scenic Area and the Luoqun Mountain Forest Wellness Tourism District launched year-end and New Year warm winter activities, guiding visitors to explore winter forest landscapes and learn about local flora and fauna. Meanwhile, the 15th Hunan Migrant Workers’ Spring Festival Gala was held warmly in Anjiang, conveying care and solidarity through cultural and artistic expressions.
The role of culture brought into full play
“It was my first time to watch a Nuo Mask Dance on the scene. The designs of the masks were so striking, and every movement of the dancers seemed to bring stories to life. I was completely captivated by the charm of this traditional culture!”
On January 1st, Yushuwan · Youth Plaza, under the theme of “Intangible Cultural Heritage + Blessings”, presented a series of awe-inspiring performances regarding intangible cultural heritage, including Nuo Mask Dance, Sword Ladder Climbing, and Molten Iron Fireworks Show; additionally, a Kongming Lantern blessing activity was also held. In short, these traditional cultural activities and the experience for the new year’s eve attracted tens of thousands of visitors to gather in Huaihua. Ms. Deng, a tourist from Changsha, recorded the entire event with her camera and excitedly shared the experience with reporters, “I chose to spend New Year’s Day specially in Huaihua to experience a unique New Year celebration relating to intangible cultural heritage—this trip was truly worth it.”
During the New Year’s holiday, Huaihua launched a series of distinctive cultural activities to showcase the charm of traditional culture. In Mayang County, the Xiafeiyunguoyuan Scenic Area hosted the “Miao Ethnic Five Contests (rooster, throstle, wine, song and dance) Festival”, featuring a welcoming ceremony with the Longevity Drum, a lively agricultural fair where visitors could participate in the contests, a Miao-style New Year bonfire party, and immersive firepit song-and-dance performances, offering an engaging and memorable experience. Hongjiang Municipality launched a traditional ritual to pray for blessings with the “New Year Prayer Ceremony at the Confucian Temple”, where participants hung prayer ribbons and fortune plaques while enjoying the elegant music of chime bells, creating a solemn and auspicious atmosphere. In Xupu County, a “Warm Trunk” intangible cultural heritage (ICH) theme event was held in the Chuanyan Mountain Scenic Area while the “Hospitable Huayao” bonfire party was staged in Fengxiang Yao Village; in addition, the Yang’ejie ICH market offered immersive cultural experiences, enriching the supplies related to culture and tourism.
Tourism formats grew diverse
“Go for it, Zhijiang!” “Tongdao, you will win!” On the evening of January 2nd, with the outdoor temperature hovering around freezing, the basketball venue in the Zhijiang Flying Tiger Sports Center was bursting with energy. The pinnacle showdown between Zhijiang and Tongdao teams in Huaihua’s inaugural basketball league during the 2026 New Year holiday took place here, thrilling the spectators with an exciting sports event that set their passions ablaze. Near the entrance to the game for HBA (Huaihua Basket Association) in Zhijiang of Huaihua City featured a vibrant bazaar bustling with crowds, emerging as the liveliest consumption scene ahead of the game.
During the New Year holiday, Huaihua continued to diversify its tourism offerings, driving a deep integration of traditional culture with contemporary trends, which, in turn, fostered unique synergies.
On January 1st, Sandieyue (Tri-fold Moon) Pond in Jingping Ancient Village of Zhongfang County rippled with clear blue waves, reflecting the festive scene adorned with colorful lanterns and decorations. Wisps of tea fragrance wafted from the ancient village teahouse, intertwining with the lively bustle rising from the snack stalls by the pond. “Today, I watched the man-made pounding for sticky rice, tasted the cakes from the pounded sticky rice, and they were pretty yummy! I also played hoop rolling—it was so much fun, and I can’t wait to come back next time,” said Yang Liu’an, a young child enjoying the day with his family, beaming with delight.
The Qianyang Ancient Town in Hongjiang City hosted the “Nocturnal Tour in the Ancient Town with Han Costume” event, where visitors dressed in traditional Han costumes strolled in group through the lantern-lit streets and alleys, immersing themselves in the poetic nightscape and savoring the cultural charm that bridges past and present. Meanwhile, the Huangdu Dong Cultural Village in Tongdao County launched an upgraded version of its scripted immersive experience called The Breath of Sasui, featuring over ten interactive activities that allow visitors to earn their unique badges relating to intangible cultural heritage.
During the New Year’s holiday, Huaihua, leveraging its diverse tourism offerings and empowered by its rich cultural heritage, has vividly showcased the unique charm of “Huaihua, a blessed land”.
（Translated by Yang Sigui）