Tianwen Island to be opened at the end of August
Huaihua taps into its rich cultural heritage to create a new cultural and tourism landmark
On August 14, a majestic statue of Qu Yuan was unveiled on Tianwen Island nestled on the shores of the Wushui River. Inspired by the vision of “searching high and low for the truth”, the statue celebrates a deep alchemy between the spirit of the great patriotic poet and the spiritual heritage of Huaihua and becomes a cultural landmark for the Fifth Hunan Tourism Development Conference.
Nestled on the shores of the Wushui River in the urban area of Huaihua City, the Tianwen Island project covers a total area of 152 mu (10.13 hectares). Centering around Qu Yuan culture, the project incorporates modern technology to create a comprehensive tourist attraction integrating cultural experience, leisure and entertainment, and study tours. Upon completion, the project will serve as a key showcase for the Fifth Hunan Tourism Development Conference. It will also be integrated with other projects under the “one axis and three spots” program such as the Wushui Corridor water tour route and the Yushu Bay Cultural and Tourism Commercial Complex, to form a new cultural and tourism axis in Huaihua. Tianwen Island is expected to be put into operation at the end of August, in time for the Tourism Development Conference.
Qu Yuan, the founder of Chinese romantic poetry, lived for nearly a decade along the banks of the Yuanjiang River. Inspired by the local landscape, he composed immortal poems such as Li Sao and Heavenly Questions that embody his sincere feelings. He planted the seeds of poetry in Huaihua, blending Chu Ci with the local culture and making Huaihua an exceptional cultural treasure. As a great patriotic poet, Qu Yuan drowned himself to express his patriotic sentiment. His patriotism has resonated for thousands of years and taken root in Huaihua. From the grand dragon boat activity in Yuanling and the Mayang dragon boat that sailed against the current to the Huaihua traditional dragon boat races that have been held for two consecutive years and attracted millions of viewers, these dragon boat races inspired by the spirit of Qu Yuan have become a cultural and sports phenomenon in Huaihua.
By seizing the major opportunities presented by the Fifth Hunan Tourism Development Conference, Huaihua is committed to exploring local culture represented by Qu Yuan culture, Tongdao troop transfer, Zhijiang Surrender, and hybrid rice. With focus on the Qu Yuan culture, the city erected a statue of Qu Yuan. This marks not only the tangible preservation of historical heritage, but also a crucial step in setting a new cultural and tourism benchmark. Projects like the Tianwen Island that revolve around Qu Yuan culture are becoming new landmarks that offer both cultural experience and emotional support and help Huaihua transform its rich cultural heritage into valuable tourism resources.
(Translated by Professor Yu Jie)